by Chris Meyers Almey
Northern News Services

NNSL (Mar 26/97) - A long-planned Tory gala dinner scheduled to be held yesterday in Yellowknife was scrapped at the last minute.

That's due to a scheduling conflict for guest speaker Hugh Segal.

It was just a week ago Tuesday that the glitch came to light. Progressive Conservative riding president Judy Goucher said that people who had made commitments to come to the dinner were notified.

Ticket sales were going well, she said.

Not having the event during March school break is actually a relief to many, Goucher added.

She said that there is a different school break in Ontario and it's hard to get people out in March break.

A nomination meeting for a candidate for the Western Arctic riding hasn't been set yet, Goucher said.

Segal was never elected but is celebrated for his role in the back rooms of Tory politics. He was principal secretary to former prime minister Brian Mulroney and cabinet secretary to former Ontario premier Bill Davis.

It is hoped that Segal will be able to come here before the end of April and the nomination meeting will be slated after that, Goucher said.