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'Winning conditions'
Kevin Wilson
Northern News Services
Yellowknife (Mar 12/01) - Premier Stephen Kakfwi says energy hungry North Americans have a saviour in the proposed Mackenzie Valley Pipeline.
Addressing delegates at the Arctic Gas Symposium in Calgary Thursday, Kakfwi called the proposed pipeline the "missing link" between the continental market and vast reserves of oil and natural gas in the Northwest Territories.
"The time is at hand to develop and begin to export our Mackenzie/Liard gas reserves," Kakfwi told delegates.
Kakfwi stressed that gas producers should have the final say regarding the route that Northern gas should be shipped south. However, he noted that a pipeline through the Mackenzie Valley would have benefits for producers in both Alaska and NWT.
Four major gas producers in the Mackenzie Delta have indicated they are prepared to apply for a Mackenzie Valley gas pipeline by year's end.
Fuel rebate forms
Households looking to cash in on the government's heating fuel subsidy will be able to get the proper forms this week.
The guidelines and application forms for the program will be available in all communities next week at housing association offices, band/municipal offices and all district offices of the NWT Housing Corp.
The guidelines and forms are also available at the NWT Housing Corporation Web site.
Applications for the program must be postmarked on or before March 31.
Delorey: 'Yellowknife sucks'
Hay River South MLA Paul Delorey has a gift when it comes to metaphor.
On the last day of this legislative session, he used his member's statement to reminisce about his previous incarnation selling central vacuum systems.
To be successful in the field of vacuum sales, Delorey told the house, one needs a "good product."
Delorey then compared Yellowknife to a "giant vacuum cleaner ... driven by the very best motor in the industry, this government."
Delorey, tongue planted firmly in cheek, called on the government to "extend the piping framework throughout the territory."
And that constant breeze in Yellowknife?
Delorey says it's caused by the giant vacuum cleaner running "365 days a year."
Monfwi ... or not Monfwi
North Slave MLA Leon Lafferty's wish will come true. His private member's bill which would change the name of his riding to Monfwi.
The bill, expected to sail through the Legislature, hit a few speed bumps when members of the Yellowknives Dene First Nations took exception to the name change while the Dene are in a boundary dispute with the Dogrib. Monfwi is the name of the Dogrib chief who signed Treaty 11.
The bill finally made it to third reading when Lafferty proposed an amendment that ensured that the name change wouldn't take effect until the federal government tacks its signature onto a final agreement with the Dogrib.
