Terry Halifax
Northern News Services

Fort Providence (Nov 26/99) - The two Deh Cho candidates met for the first time in a forum in Fort Providence on Tuesday, Nov. 16.

Challenger Michael McLeod clearly seemed more prepared than incumbent Sam Gargan.

McLeod opened the forum introducing himself as the choice because of his business and management experience. He said if elected he'd do his utmost to draw business into the Deh Cho.

"There's no reason why we can't convince NTCL, BHP and Diavik mines to set up some of their operations right here in the community," McLeod said.

Further, he said the community would benefit from rail access to the south.

"I'd also like to see us convince the rail link to turn their rails north, to the south side of this river," McLeod said.

He said that tourism, the second largest industry in the NWT, is woefully lacking in government agencies.

"Aside from Nunavut, we are the only jurisdiction in Canada that does not have either a dedicated ministry or a senior tourism agency with a direct link to the minister -- this needs to be changed," he said.

McLeod promised to work to get aboriginal language programs established in the Deh Cho. He also addressed education, traditional on-the-land subsidies for trappers and block funding for housing.

Incumbent Sam Gargan was caught quite unprepared for the forum. Admitting he had no real platform, Gargan spoke of a wide range of international issues.

"This is not a personality contest and I say this because I haven't come up with any kind of platform yet," Gargan said.

He continued on in his opening statement, making random remarks about free trade, G-7, the European union and world leaders, until finally interrupted by moderator, Margaret Thom.

"I'm sorry to interrupt Mr. Gargan, but I think the public here is interested in hearing some of the issues that are relevant to our community and our Deh Cho riding,"

"So I would ask you to stay on these issues, for the sake of the public," she added.

Visibly taken aback from the interruption, Gargan continued.

"I think alcohol and drug awareness week is one week where we can challenge ourselves to be sober for one week," Gargan said. "We have a lot of duplication of programs in this community."

He spoke of the limited budget and that Fort Providence cannot look forward to any new capitol projects.

"The budget is $640 million and all of that money is tied to programs," he said.

"How do you spread that money around?

"We have the potential of a teachers' strike," he said. "Do we compromise the students' education over the teachers' (salaries)?" Gargan asked.

"I don't support principals as an essential service, I don't support back-to-work legislation, but how do we compromise," he asked. "But this is what consensus government is all about."

Gargan finished his opening statement with mention of block funding for housing and lease agreements with the territorial government.

Candidates fielded questions from the audience addressing the deficit, apprenticeship programs, self- government and education.

Fort Providence teacher Barb Killbery asked why the MLAs voted themselves a pay raise and teachers had to take a pay cut.

"The government gave themselves a raise and cut the teacher's salary by six per cent," Killbery said. "We're back to negotiations now and the government has offered three per cent this year and another two per cent next year."

McLeod admitted he wasn't up on all the issues teachers are dealing with.

"I believe we have to continue to better the educational system, increase the programs and attract quality teachers -- it's all part of the package," McLeod said. "If I am elected, I will push for additional resources so that the shift is focused on education."

Gargan remarked that housing could be looked at as an incentive to draw teachers North, but avoided commitment.

"I don't know how we can deal with it," Gargan conceded. "As far as legislation goes, I'm going to wait to see what happens with regards to the teachers' vote."

"We are still a consensus government and we all have to compromise."

The following night, the first-ever Deh Cho candidates' meeting was held in Enterprise, which is now included in the riding.