Inuvik mayor candidates focus on gas situation

A candidate for mayor of Inuvik says the town should consider a class-action lawsuit against Inuvik Gas in case of damages from using a propane-air mix proposed to extend the town's dwindling gas supply.

The Ikhil gas project Inuvik Gas developed is drying up sooner than expected and the town is struggling to find a new source of energy.

This winter Inuvik homes will be heated in part by propane, in order to slow consumption of natural gas. On Monday, candidate Todd Shattler said if the system freezes or does not run as expected, the town should consider a class-action lawsuit for homeowners to recoup any damages.

He said the mayor and town council need to be more aggressive with Inuvik Gas.

"He should be there like a pit bull right in their face, asking where do we stand, what are we going to do? He’s laid back. I think the mayor dropped the ball."

Shattler's opponent, former premier Floyd Roland, said the gas crisis is not the company's fault.

"Everybody who has a home here, who has to light up a furnace or a gas stove over the winter is going to feel an impact as a result of the Ikhil situation," he said.

"So there’s going to be a need to come together and try and find a team, to try and mitigate the impacts to the businesses and the people of this community."

Outgoing mayor Denny Rodgers said the franchise agreement the town signed with Inuvik Gas does not support a legal case.

Fifteen candidates are running for eight seats on town council. The election is set for Monday, Oct. 15.