Richard Gleeson
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Oct 20/00) - The territorial government this week turned up the pressure for a response to the $330 million development plan it submitted to the federal government in May.

Premier Kakfwi and his finance minister faced pressure from regular MLAs last session for the lack of success courting federal support.

In a telephone discussion with Department of Indian and Northern Affairs Minister Robert Nault Tuesday, Premier Stephen Kakfwi said he wants something to bring back to the legislative assembly when it resumes sitting Oct. 31.

"I don't want to hit the session with nothing except pats on the back from people saying, 'You've done a great job, great strategy,'" said Kakfwi. "Where's the money? I need something."

Kakfwi and Finance Minister Joe Handley faced pressure from regular MLAs last session for the lack of success courting federal support.

The non-renewable resource strategy lays out a four-year plan that requires $100 million from the territorial government and $230 million from the federal government.

Among the proposals in the strategy are the construction of bridges on the ice road right of way to extend the ice road season and extension of the Mackenzie Highway North of Wrigley, as well as the establishment of an economic diversification fund small businesses can draw on.

The plan was developed and submitted at the request of the federal government but little has been heard of it since it was delivered.

Kakfwi said Nault indicated that the response and funding will come in pieces.

"My understanding is if any money comes it may come within the next couple of weeks, perhaps in response to some specific section of the non-renewable resources strategy," said the premier.

"But there's not going to be a massive check for $200 million."

One obstacle to a full response is a review DIAND has initiated of its capacity to respond to the demands of Northern oil and gas development, including the renewed drive for a Mackenzie Valley pipeline.

Kakfwi said that back in the 1960s and 70s the directorate once had a staff of hundreds. Ten people now work there.

In addition to the non-renewable resource strategy, the territorial government has yet to reach an agreement on new infrastructure funding announced in the last federal budget.

The territorial government is also hoping its share of the $100 million infrastructure fund will not be shared out on a per capita basis.

It was unsuccessful in avoiding the per-capita funding crunch when new health care funding was shared up two months ago.