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Northern News Services
Published Monday, September 15, 2008

1. Should the federal government build an all-weather road through the Sahtu and up the Mackenzie Delta to Tuktoyaktuk to connect remote Northern communities to the national highway network?

2. What is the best strategy for promoting Arctic sovereignty?

Brendan Bell - Conservative Party

1. I believe the construction of the Mackenzie Valley Highway is a critical priority as it will connect communities in the Mackenzie Valley and Beaufort regions that currently do not have year-round road access. This road will bring a sustainable future and a diversified economy to the people of those regions. It will lower the cost of goods and services and provide greater economic development opportunities, including new tourism opportunities. I am pleased that $15 million in funding was recently approved for a road from Tuk to a new gravel source that will provide important momentum for this project.

2. It is important we promote Arctic sovereignty in a number of ways. We need to strengthen our military presence through initiatives like our recent commitments to strengthen the Arctic Rangers and establish a reserve unit for the North. As MP, I would also focus on investing in our communities and people to ensure we have strong, vibrant communities. We can do this by investing in transportation and community infrastructure through funding programs such as the Building Canada Fund. We need to strengthen communities by providing Northerners with economic opportunities through projects such as the Mackenzie Gas Pipeline Project and exploration for new oil and gas and mineral resources.

Gabrielle Mackenzie-Scott - Liberal Party

1. A Mackenzie highway is only part of the answer. If communities along the valley want road access then it should be built - but only if Northerners are doing the work. We must also look at other options and build the most efficient and cleanest system possible, with low environmental impacts.The road from Tuktoyaktuk to Inuvik has been a priority for the community for some time, and government needs to respond. With the proposed oil and gas development for the Beaufort Sea, any road built should be a partnership between industry and government, so taxpayers don't bear the cost.

2. Military patrols and an effective coast guard are necessary but are not the only answer. The Liberal plan is rooted in the belief that Canada can best assert its Northern sovereignty by ensuring Canadians living there thrive and that Canada's Northern economy continues to develop: work with Northern communities to find ways to mitigate the effects of climate change and to fund research and development in the North and educate and train Northerners to be the researchers who man these facilities; re-establish the Ambassador for Circumpolar Affairs position and continue to strengthen the community-based Ranger program.

Sam Gamble - Green Party

1. An all-weather road would provide tremendous economic, social and environmental benefits for the North. The people of the NWT shouldn't have to go cap in hand to get funding for projects like the all-weather road. An all-weather road will benefit the North now. Making funding conditional on mega-projects only underscores Ottawa's approach to the North: Extract as much as possible. Invest as little as possible. Repeat..

2. In one word: care. Arctic sovereignty and military dominance are not the same thing. If Ottawa wants to "own" the North, it needs to demonstrate that we are full partners in Canada. Instead of marching about and firing rounds into the Arctic Ocean, let's start thinking about what makes us Canadian. Investing in the people, the environment and the economy will ensure that the Canadian Arctic is seen as an active part of our nation. Ottawa needs to take a real interest in Northern issues, not just Northern resources. This is how sovereignty is ultimately recognized.

Dennis Bevington - NDP

1. I believe that the federal government should establish an infrastructure fund separate from the existing Territorial Financing Formula to invest in Northern infrastructure, including roads. I have brought forward the use of the windfall profits made by the federal government on its one-third ownership of the Norman Wells oilfield as a potential source of the revenue required. I do support the extension of the Wrigley highway to the Sahtu and the Inuvik to Tuk extension, but these final decisions should come through an NWT-generated strategy.

2. The NDP will be releasing a new Northern policy during this election which includes an Arctic sovereignty strategy within it. The Aboriginal people of the North, who own most of the land through their land claims, should have a say in this matter. I believe the best way to secure our sovereignty is through international co-operation and developing our Northern territories with infrastructure and civilian authority. After attending the international ministers meeting in Greenland, I see the rest of the world is ready to co-operate on marine shipping policy and on establishing national boundaries through the existing rule of law.