by Richard Gleeson
Northern News Services

NNSL (NOV 01/96) - They got what they wanted and then some.

The NWT Liberal Association succeeded in putting a number of Northern issues on the federal government's priority list.

Held in Ottawa Oct. 23 to 27, the Liberals' policy convention brought together party associations from each province and territory.

The gathering is used to identify members' highest-priority policies. The government does not have to follow up on the policies, however.

The NWT association managed to have four resolutions it sponsored accepted as priorities.

The four are:

• funding for division of territories

• creation of a senate seat for the western territory

• extension of the Mackenzie and Dempster highway system to Tuktoyaktuk

• confirmation the Liberal Party remains committed to universal, accessible and publicly funded health care

Additionally, the NWT Liberals amended and supported a Yukon proposal urging the government to develop a Northern development and infrastructure program.

As well, they helped get a resolution, sponsored by the Manitoba delegation, for a provincial and territorial highway system.

The NWT crew also helped defeat a resolution calling for the federal tax on hard liquor to be lowered.

Led by MPs Jack Anawak and Ethel Blondin-Andrew, the territorial delegation included 25 party members. Among them were an aboriginal peoples commission led by Richard Nerysoo, and a youth delegation.