Daniel MacIsaac
Northern News Services

NNSL (July 12/99) - The New Democrats say party politics will soon be a fact of life in the North.

Bob Haywood, president of the New Democratic Party's riding association, said last week that the party will openly back candidates in the upcoming territorial election.

"I can't imagine we'll be ready to run candidates in all 19 (proposed) ridings," he said, "but we'll start in the major centres and co-ordinate our campaigning...we're developing a platform."

The Progressive Conservative and Liberal riding presidents took a more cautious position when asked about their parties' intentions.

"With our history of consensus I think those of us involved in party politics want to take a closer look at the Northwest Territories and see what the situation will be," said Liberal president Beulah Phillpot.

"Right now there are so many unknowns -- who will be in the legislature and how it will evolve -- and there's the issue of self-government and other Northern issues."

But PC President Dave Ramsay hinted the federal riding association would consider the territorial question further at its upcoming convention -- and said there are problems with consensus.

"There's the argument that the present system lacks vision and a leader," he said.

"Someone has to stand up and take the Northwest Territories on the course the people are looking for."

Ramsay also referred to the accountability the party system offers.

"The people have more of a stake in the system," he said, "and with the party system that situation with (former premier) Mr. Morin wouldn't have lasted."

Hay River MLA Jane Groenewegen said she also saw advantages in a party system.

"I am a supporter of the concept of people of like mind running together -- whether it's along party lines or not," she said.

"The idea of candidates having predetermined positions appeals to me absolutely, and it's also nice for the voters."

Groenewegen said that in the current situation, it's anybody's guess how an MLA will vote on an issue, making matters more difficult for both the public and the politicians.

"Only after you progress through the years as an MLA do you understand how other members think," she said, "and now I understand that Mr. (Jake) Ootes and I think similarly on business and economics and that with Mr. (David) Krutko on social issues -- we think very similarly."

But Groenewegen said she'd have to wait and see how riding associations develop, saying MLAs running under party flags could alienate a portion of their constituents.

For his part, Minister Michael Miltenberger from Fort Smith defended the status quo.

"I personally haven't given up on the consensus system," he said.

"A lot of this stuff is emanating from Yellowknife -- I'm not sure how it would be received in the communities, but it would an interesting scenario if Yellowknife was the only place to elect party candidates."

But Nihtat Gwich'in Chief James Firth in Inuvik said he also saw the value of accountability in a party system and said it could help the public understand the business of politics.

"I think we have to start seriously looking at it," he said.

"Look at the Yukon -- they have about the same number of members as us."

Firth said a party system shouldn't slow progress on land-claims or self-government, since Aboriginals will be developing their own systems.

"I think you'll see more Aboriginal groups going into their little corners and doing their own thing," he said.