NNSL (Mar 27/98) - When Northerners talk, Canada's governing party listens. A Deh Cho delegate to last week's federal Liberal Party convention is bringing that message home to the North with him.

"The political system in Canada is much more responsive to individual members of parties as compared to the United States," Fort Simpson's John Hazenberg said shortly after arriving home from Ottawa.

"People like (Finance Minister) Paul Martin, (Newfoundland) Premier Brian Tobin, (Heritage Minister) Sheila Copps -- these senior members of the cabinet are well versed in the issues that affect the North," he said.

"I think we can thank (Western Arctic MP) Ethel Blondin-Andrew for that."

To prove his argument, Hazenberg pointed to a variety of resolutions from the North passed at the convention.

The NWT delegation put forth resolutions on: national unity and the need for a regionally balanced approach on unity initiatives; the need for a human-resources strategy that would lead to a more culturally and regionally representative public service; that Ottawa encourage that all remaining provincial responsibilities in Indian and Northern Affairs be given to the new western territory; the need for renewed federal support for tourism projects in the NWT; and that Ottawa undertake a regional economic development program that supports the development, growth and diversification of Northern economies.

In addition, the party approved a Yukon resolution to formally recognize and design programs and strategies to prevent and deal with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Fetal Alcohol Effect.

"It was very stimulating," Hazenberg said of the discussions and debates that surrounded each resolution from across the country. "We realized how important it is to get support from all regions."

Convention policy resolutions are not binding on the government. But ignoring rank-and-file party members -- like Hazenberg -- is something few parties that want to remain in power long usually do consistently.

He also said that Natural Resources Minister Ralph Goodale, a senior member of the cabinet, has expressed an interest in a summer fact-finding trip to Fort Simpson.