Yellowknife (July 21/04) - Ethel Blondin-Andrew will be back in cabinet as Minister of State for Northern Development.

Pierre Collin, Blondin Andrew's communication director, said the announcement of the veteran MP's appointment was held back by the judicial recount in the Western Arctic.

The NDP applied for a recount after Blondin-Andrew won by just 52 votes. The recount was called off Tuesday just as Prime Minister Paul Martin unveiled his new cabinet in Ottawa.

"The process was judicious and I am satisfied with the result," said Blondin-Andrew, who was Minister of State for Youth in the last government.

Blondin-Andrew said her new job "sounds very, very exciting for the North. This will give me the capacity to help people in the North."

Blondin-Andrew said she "can't wait to get back to the North."

"I have quite a few community events that I'm missing," she added, citing Folk on the Rocks as one.