Richard Gleeson
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Jan 14/00) - Robert Nault will be the hottest date in town next week.

The lineup of suitors -- aboriginal leaders, territorial politicians, labour and business representatives -- is long whenever the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development comes calling.

But Nault appears to have little interest in spending time with one of his most persistent pursuers -- Dave Lovell.

"I'm the political leader of the largest constituency in the territories," said the Mayor of Yellowknife. "This (snubbing) just isn't right and it's got to stop."

Lovell said when he learned of the Nault's Jan. 19-21 visit, he wrote a letter requesting time with the minister.

Though Nault has time for a Western Arctic Liberal Association fund-raising dinner, aboriginal leaders, the NWT Chamber of Mines and NWT Chamber of Commerce and newly elected MLAs, the mayor is out of luck.

Coun. Bob Brooks downplayed Nault's refusal to meet formally with city representatives.

Civic officials will get a chance to meet Nault during the fund-raising dinner, an event that Brooks said could be just as productive.

"You can get as much done at an unofficial meeting as an official one ... you can do a lot of networking in an informal setting," Brooks said.

The city will pay for the $31 dinner portion $150-a-plate fund-raising dinner for councillors who choose to attend. Councillors will have to cover the rest -- which is a political donation to the Liberal party.

Nault's executive assistant defended the decision to not meet with Yellowknife council, saying the minister is "coming to town in his capacity as the Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs.

"He is not always able to meet with all groups and individuals who would like to meet with him," said Kelly Acton. "Choices have to be made."

Asked about Nault using a trip paid for by taxpayers to raise money for the local Liberal riding association, Acton said, "The event you are referring to is actually an evening event. I think it's fair to say that the vast majority of time will be spent on government business."

Lovell said he wanted to voice the city's objection to Nault's decision to not transfer any Northern Affairs staff from Ottawa to Yellowknife. There's also the matter of more than $50,000 in taxes the mayor said the federal government owes on a row of homes in Ndilo.

Lovell and city council were shut out during the minister's stop here in October. Lovell said a letter the city received following that visit gave him some hope for a meeting this time around.

"He sent us a letter back saying he was sorry for the oversight," recalled the mayor.