Glen Korstrom
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Nov 19/99) - Yellowknifers got the chance to see candidates from Frame Lake, Kam Lake and Yellowknife Centre square off at an NWT Federation of Labour forum last night.

Consensus formed on many issues such as trying to pry money from the federal government to make up the shortfall from transfer payment cuts.

Similarly, consensus reigned when it came to supporting Giant Mine workers' retraining and on clearing up pay equity settlements as soon as possible.

In fact, there was no issue where candidates were clearly divided.

On upgrading the highway to Rae, all agreed the proposed 10 year time frame should be speeded up.

Difference only came in degree.

Audience member Monika Rohlmann asked what candidates would do to address the youth smoking problem.

In Frame Lake, David Wind said there is "a possibility of going overboard in regulating too much."

Bill Schram said the GNWT could possibly spend more money on enforcement though he thinks the business owners should have rights to have smoking sections. Charles Dent said the key is to educate so youth do not start.

In Yellowknife Centre, Jake Ootes linked smoking with other forms of substance abuse and said those in charge of anti-smoking programs should be non-smokers.

Bernie Hughes suggested raising the legal age to buy cigarettes to 19.

So did Beaton Mackenzie in the Kam Lake riding.

Steve Petersen said he is a non-smoker and prefers non-smoking places, "but I don't bitch about it."

Tony Whitford, a non-smoker, said MLAs should set an example by not smoking themselves.

Another discussion point was privatization.

NDP candidates Schram and Petersen opposed any privatization of government services while the others said they would consider privatization.

All candidates opposed cutting GNWT workers.

"We've cut deeply and you're now talking about cutting off limbs not just cutting to the bone," said Dent.