by Cheryl Leschasin
Northern News Services

NNSL (May 02/97) - The New Democratic Party candidate for the Western Arctic contends her party is the only one that stands up for Northern interests in Ottawa.

NDP members kicked off their campaign Wednesday afternoon with a press conference at their new headquarters at the corner of 51st Street and 50th Avenue.

Mary Beth Levan, NDP candidate for the Western Arctic, presented what she said are the key issues of the campaign and outlined NDP strategy for addressing those issues.

Issues discussed included aboriginal rights and land claims issues, Northern development, social justice including gun control legislation, women's rights, workers' rights, job creation and environmental integrity.

Levan said she hopes to provide a strong voice in Parliament for Northerners and feels strongly about issues sensitive to the North including transfer payment cuts, gun control legislation and CBC cutbacks.

"NDPers are the only ones to stand up for Northern interests in Parliament," said Levan.

Levan, who has lived in Yellowknife 15 years and in the North for 21, works largely in the areas of human development and social research. For the past 14 years she has operated a psychological and educational consulting company in Yellowknife.

A member of the NDP for 25 years, Levan has been president of the Western Arctic NDP for the past three years.

She has been a delegate at the last two national NDP leadership conventions and her campaign experience extends over the past two federal elections.