Yellowknife (July 30/04) - Western Arctic MP Ethel Blondin-Andrew is still sorting out her duties as Minister of State for Northern Development with Indian Affairs Minister Andy Scott.

Blondin-Andrew: responsible for development in the three Northern territories and the mid-Canada corridor.

"The minister is new to the portfolio and the issues," Blondin-Andrew said this week in an interview from Ottawa. "We're in briefing sessions and developing a working plan."

Blondin-Andrew is responsible for development in the three Northern territories and the mid-Canada corridor as well, she said.

She met with Premier Joe Handley in Yellowknife last week and visited communities over the weekend.

Premier Handley said the hour-long meeting was "a good one. We'll talk more as we develop a common agenda."

Handley said Blondin-Andrew's new cabinet post will "keep her busier with pan-territorial issues, but we will benefit from her position."

"The Northwest Territories are a big part of Northern development, and we expect support on the Mackenzie Valley pipeline," he said.

Blondin-Andrew wouldn't discuss the pipeline with Yellowknifer, or the slow progress in getting full support for the project from Mackenzie Valley communities. The Western Arctic MP is in Yellowknife, Hay River and Beaufort-Delta this weekend.

Pierre Collin, a communications officer in her Ottawa office, would not say who she will meet with.