by Jennifer Pritchett
Northern News Services

NNSL (May 07/97) - There were no surprises at the Conservative party nomination meeting for the Western Arctic over the weekend.

The only candidate to be nominated for the region, Bob Dowdall, was uncontested in his bid to be the Tory candidate in the June 2 federal election.

Out-of-town party members were standing by on a conference line, prepared for a last-minute nomination. But Dowdall's, the only nomination, came from a Yellowknife member and was seconded from Fort Smith.

A long-time Yellowknifer who runs an employment recruiting firm, he is basing his campaign platform on the importance of job creation.

"Everything relates back to jobs -- land claims, and everything else," he said.

As the No. 1 campaign issue, jobs can most easily be created by cutting taxes, Dowdall said. He supports party leader Jean Charest's plan to protect health care and education funding and to get rid of the new gun control legislation.

His campaign office, open as of Monday, is located in the Centre Square Mall. His campaign manager is Haigh Carthew.

Dowdall, who began canvassing the city for votes last week, has now taken to the campaign trail until election day. He was scheduled to leave today for a Hay River, Fort Smith junket. From there, he will be visiting Fort Liard, Fort McPherson, Inuvik and the High Arctic.