Richard Gleeson
Northern News Services

NNSL (May 18/98) - The deputy premier plans to lay to rest speculation about a mystery note that set off a storm of controversy during the last session of the legislative assembly.

Goo Arlooktoo, MLA for Baffin South, said he will release polygraph and handwriting analyses during the coming session, which begins Wednesday. Cabinet announced his decision in a news release last week.

The note was passed by a legislative assembly page to Hay River MLA Jane Groenewegen Jan. 27.

The note, which read, "How did you get $800,000 loan from this gov't," was widely perceived as a threat.

Groenewegen submitted it, along with samples of Arlooktoo's handwriting, to an expert, who concluded it was highly probable the deputy premier wrote the mystery note.

High Arctic MLA Levi Barnabas eventually told the assembly he wrote the note as a joke, but his three-week delay and the expert's report ensured doubts remained.

"I was very concerned about my reputation," Arlooktoo said. "After all, that's what I was elected on and that's what I plan on leaving with."

According to the cabinet press secretary, Arlooktoo paid for the tests himself. The polygraph reportedly cost $700 and the handwriting analysis $650.

Arlooktoo said the polygraph test was performed by Bison Security Group of Calgary and the handwriting samples by Questioned Documents Investigations of Lethbridge.