Yellowknife (May 09/05) - Federal NDP leader Jack Layton says his budget deal with the governing Liberals two weeks ago will add $3.1 billion to programs focused on aboriginal housing and training, much of it going to the North.

With knowledge that his party came an agonizing 53 votes short of winning the Western Arctic seat last year, Layton - in his first-ever interview with News/North -said he intends to pay closer attention to the NWT next time an election is called.

For now, however, he said he'd prefer if there wasn't one - at least not this spring.

Layton said he is well aware the NWT's devolution agreement with Ottawa could become unhinged if an election were called before June, not to mention his budget deal with Prime Minister Paul Martin.

"By getting this budget through it gives us a few more weeks or months to actually produce some results for a change instead of just all the talk," Layton insisted during a phone interview, Wednesday.

The NDP leader said the budget deal he reached with Martin to keep the Liberal government alive includes $1.5 billion for housing, with some of it going to a program specifically targeting aboriginal housing needs - although he couldn't say how much of the money would be directed there.

He said another budget bonus he insisted on was $1.6 billion for aboriginal post-secondary education and job training. He said that money will be particularly important for the NWT as the demand for skilled resource jobs continues to grow. Even though he doesn't want an election right now, Layton said should there be one, his party and likely candidate for the Western Arctic - twice-run Dennis Bevington - has a good shot at taking the seat this time.

He said in his conversations with visiting Northerners to Ottawa, many have expressed dismay with current MP Ethel Blondin-Andrew's voting record and handling of the Todd Burlingame appointment, chair of the Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board.

"Paternalism has been so often a problem," said Layton.

"There are qualified people in the North and that didn't happen." He said one thing is for certain, next time Canadians go to the polls, he will be making campaign stops in the NWT.

He said he would've been here sooner, but the current gridlock in the Ottawa has curtailed his travel plans.

"Needless to say, we'll have a focus on the Western Arctic and on Yellowknife," said Layton. "The problem is getting out of the House because of these constant threats by the Conservatives before the budget is adopted. It's get us very tied down."