Paul Bickford
Northern News Services
Published Monday, September 24, 2007

HAY RIVER - Hay River North MLA Paul Delorey's role as Speaker in the last Legislative Assembly is coming back to haunt him.

Delorey's opponent in the coming election, Vince McKay, said the district was not fairly represented.

"The big thing for me and a lot of people is he didn't have a voice as Speaker," said McKay, noting Delorey could not publicly oppose cuts to services.

Delorey said he did have a voice, but behind the scenes.

The MLA explained the premier and cabinet recognize the unique situation of the Speaker. "They seem to respond quicker to the Speaker when he wants something done."

Delorey, who ran for cabinet before becoming Speaker, said he would prefer to be a cabinet member if re-elected.

Hay River North, which includes Vale Island and the northern section of New Town, has 1,242 eligible voters.

It came into existence in 1999, when the town was divided into two electoral districts.

Since then, Delorey has represented the area, which contains the airport, fishing industry infrastructure, petroleum bulk plants, transportation facilities and a shipyard.

Delorey's main election issues are health care, education and new infrastructure to keep pace with development.

"All of those issues are big issues that the town can't take on alone," he said.

McKay said his core issue is health, noting he worries the hospital might one day be downgraded to a health centre.

Hay River North resident Laura Rose believes problems like education and health will sort themselves out.

An issue for Rose - president of the Hay River Soup Kitchen - is the GNWT's changes to income support.

The changes gave single people more money, meaning those with alcohol problems have more to spend on their habit, she said.

"We're going to find them getting really sick."

Meanwhile, Vale Island resident Karen Felker is concerned about illegal drugs.

"It's only going to get worse before it gets better," she said, noting she was disappointed when MLAs didn't pass the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods (SCAN) legislation.

Originally from Nova Scotia, Delorey - a 58-year-old father of four - has lived in Hay River since 1968.

From 1970 until he got into politics, he was a locomotive engineer.

"I'm running again because I put in eight years now and I think I've learned a lot," he said. "I think I still have a lot to give to the job."

Delorey's slogans are "Your Concerns Are My Concerns" and "A Vote for Paul is a Vote for All."

"I do believe in them," he said of the slogans. "I try to tell people I represent all people of Hay River North."

Born in Hay River, McKay, 30, is in a common-law relationship and the father of two young children.

For the past eight years, he has been a corrections officer at the South Mackenzie Correctional Centre.

The candidate has also been a member of Hay River Town Council for four years.

McKay said he is running for MLA because he has always wanted to do it.

"I may be young, but I feel I have the experience," he said.

His campaign slogan is "For a Better Tomorrow, Vote McKay Today."

"I think my slogan means I have some good ideas I can bring forward," he said.

"If they are achieved at the territorial level, I think we will have a better future."