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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Conservative candidate Brendan Bell played host to Diane Ablonczy, secretary of state for Small Business and Tourism, on Monday in the NWT capital, meeting a group of visitors at Yellowknife Inn.

Brendan Bell and Conservative MP Diane Ablonczy speak to supporters at Yellowknife Inn during a meet and greet Aug. 25. - Ben Morgan/NNSL photo

Ablonczy, who represents the Alberta riding of Calgary-Nose Hill, is one of several members of Parliament to visit the NWT lately. But unlike her Ottawa colleagues, Ablonczy made the journey by highway. She and her husband Ron Sauer travelled in the couple's recreational vehicle to reach Yellowknife.

"I wanted to see what a tourist might see travelling the very beautiful highways to get here - the pristine wilderness and awesome scenery," said Ablonczy.

With speculation of a fall election, Ablonczy said she couldn't shed any more light on when a call to go to the polls might occur.

"I just don't know," she said. But she warned it does look pretty serious. "With a minority government situation we're always in a state of perpetual readiness," she explained.

Bell thanked her for the visit and said he intended to win the seat in any pending election. "It's been a rough go for Conservatives in the Arctic these past few years," he said, "but we're ready to make the jump and earn the seat by working with the people of the North to get things done."

Bell said Stephen Harper has paid more attention to the Arctic than any other prime minister in decades. "This government is working with the territorial government to build a stronger partnership," he said.

Bell said it's no coincidence the prime minister is visiting the home town of NWT Premier Floyd Roland.

"It's an important time for the North," said Bell.

Ablonczy's visit also commemorated the completion of several airport safety improvements at the Yellowknife and Norman Wells airports through funding from the Airports Capital Assistance program over the past four years.

"Our government is committed to ensuring that opportunities for economic development exist for communities throughout the Arctic," said Ablonczy.

She said the safety of Canada's travelling public continues to be a top priority for the Harper government and funding improvements at NWT airports will help maintain vital links between communities in the North.