Jack Danylchuk
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Oct 27/00) - The World Wide Web is emerging as an important stage for political parties to present their platforms without interference from traditional media.

All of the parties have Web sites, but with the exception of the Progressive Conservatives, all give short shrift to Northern issues.

The Tories are the only national party that makes specific proposals for "the development of Canada's Northern territories. Sections of the party's policy document advocate abolition of the Firearms Control Act and settlement of outstanding native land claims. A Conservative government would advocate "full responsible government" for the territories, "at a pace to be determined by the citizens through their legislatures."

It would phase out the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development.

The territories would gain control of their land and resources without having to accept provincial status.

They also promise to work with the territories and First Nations to make develop Northern resources to make the North energy self-sufficient. The NDP Web page makes no mention of the NWT, Nunavut or native land claims. Canadian Alliance makes no mention of the North, but promises to lower taxes on gasoline and reduce the cost of diesel by 50 per cent.

The Alliance would open Canada's skies to competition, which might give Northerners relief from high airfares.

On native issues, Alliance advocates "direct, private ownership of their land and reserves; access to fisheries and other resources, but not through race-based quota.

The party also advocates taxation for all natives. It would settle land claims and promises to respect current landholders. The Liberal Web page describes programs that are relevant to the North, but makes no mention of Northern issues. Under the Rural Canada heading, the Webster flags the $50 million Telehealth program, which Nunavut has used to provide medical treatment to patients living in remote communities. There is also $100 million for regions with high unemployment and $90 million for small businesses in rural communities.

A section on Aboriginal Peoples points to $350 million for healing the effects of residential school abuse and another $200 million for aboriginal economic development. On another issue important to Northerners, the Liberals promise to spent $1.1 billion to combat global climate change. There is $600 million for provincial highways and $400 million for Via Rail, but no mention of Northern transportation costs.

A section on Resource Industries has much to say about fishing and forestry, but says nothing about Northern oil and gas, diamonds or the Mackenzie Valley pipeline.