Yellowknife (Apr 15/05) - Ottawa is not alone in the growing speculation that an election will be called this spring.

Both Western Arctic MP Ethel Blondin-Andrew and last year's NDP runner-up Dennis Bevington say they will be ready for a June election.

Ottawa has been abuzz with election talk ever since Montreal ad executive Jean Brault revealed at the Gomery inquiry into the federal sponsorship program that he gave over $1 million in secret kickbacks to Liberal campaign organizers.

But Blondin-Andrew warned a spring vote could jeopardize the NWT's devolution deal with Ottawa.

An agreement-in-principle is expected to come by late May or early June, right around the time an election is expected to be held.

"The NWT is at a critical point," said Blondin-Andrew. "An election right now would not be helpful."

Nonetheless, the five-term MP, who beat Bevington by only 52 votes last year, said she's confident about her chances should the opposition force an early election.

The minister of state for Northern Development said she has been successful getting Ottawa's attention, pointing to $400 million in new funding the territory received over the last year. "I've had like 10 days off since June with all the holidays and that," said Blondin-Andrew.

Calling federal election contests a "blood sport," she said her NWT campaign team is readying itself for a potential election call.

Blondin-Andrew said she is feeling much better about her chances in Yellowknife this time, where she took only three out of 29 polls last June, and was saved only by heavy voting in her favour from the Tlicho region.

Her near defeat launched a bitter backlash towards NWT politicians who she felt didn't offer enough support, but Blondin-Andrew said she plans to keep her cool this time.

'I was hurt''

"I also tried to not get upset about things, and not be vitriolic or take things personally," she said. "I was hurt, and I have to look to myself, and I've done that."

She declined to discuss the controversial appointment of Todd Burlingame to chair the Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board, saying "it's a done deal," and she must support decisions made by the government.

Bevington, meanwhile, said he intends to try again if the party accepts his nomination.

He said Ottawa handouts to the territory through Blondin-Andrew no longer impress Northerners.

"The paternalistic attitude of the Liberal Party towards the NWT, and buying us off with handouts here and there really isn't appropriate for a territory that's going to be the economic powerhouse it has the opportunity to be," said Bevington.

The Fort Smith resident doesn't believe an election will jeopardize devolution, but said making sure the NWT has a better deal is more important.

"It's important to have devolution, it's important to have a good deal that works for everyone that respects the rights of claimant groups," said Bevington

Western Arctic Conservatives could not be reached for comment, but Northern Affairs critic Jim Prentice said the party will be presenting a bigger name for the next election.

The Conservative Party finished a distant third last year.

"I expect when the time comes we'll have a good candidate, and be in a position to campaign," said Prentice.

Last year's Green Party candidate Chris O'Brien declined to comment, but said he wasn't planning to run again.