Yellowknife (Feb 17/03) - For the most part, Joe Handley's deficit budget was lauded because of capital projects it addressed.

But MLA David Krutko had some harsh words for Handley and his $931-million budget is projected to push the government's debt well over $200 million by the end of next year.

"We've added drastically to the deficit of this government," Krutko said Friday. "That's not good government."

It was the now-infamous Krutko who blocked a full release of the main budget document on Thursday.

Yellowknife Mayor Gord Van Tighem had his criticisms for Handley's budget, too.

Looking at the funding formula for municipalities, he said: "The GNWT is doing to the tax-based municipalities the same thing they are accusing the federal government of doing to them. It's something that needs to be addressed."

Deh Cho MLA Michael McLeod saw good things in this year's budget. He said he likes how it takes into account many of his concerns, including the Hay River Reserve road upgrade.

"It is costly," he said. "We keep chipping away at it."

The whole project is estimated at $3 million. Last year the GNWT spent a million dollars on it, and this year $200,000.

The budget also contains funding to improve the swimming pool in Fort Providence -- a project that has been in the works for five years, McLeod said. "Even the grandparents were complaining. It was a big issue."

The town is on the banks of the Providence rapids, explained McLeod. "There's no way you're going to learn how to swim in that river. The current is too swift. So I'm very glad the pool is in place."

He said is also pleased to see $250,000 for the Deh Cho Bridge project.

Other projects announced in the budget include an outdoor skating rink in Colville Lake, a curling rink in Aklavik and a new community arena in Lutsel K'e.

Cabinet minister Jim Antoine said he was pleased the GNWT was taking care of "big ticket items" such as the Inuvik hospital so future governments won't have to deal with them.

Krutko said he was pleased about one area of the budget -- continued funding for water treatment facilities.

"Sometimes communities feel government moves too slow when it comes to health concerns. Particularly water in their communities. With this project we're hoping we see actual construction this year.

"Every community I represent, we've had crisis situations with the quality of water."