Yellowknife (Nov 26/99) - The editorial staff of Yellowknifer prepared this short list of questions in an effort to help voters learn more about those running for election on Dec. 6.

They are designed to shed a little more light on the men and women who want to represent us in the legislative assembly. Candidates were asked to keep their answers short (a maximum of 50 words).

The following responses are from candidates in the Range Lake, Frame Lake and Kam Lake ridings.

These responses are not meant to be your only guide when casting your ballot, but we hope they assist you in formulating your decision.

1. Who are your political heros?
2. The GNWT faces a projected deficit of $34 million this year. Do you support program cuts to deal with this? If so, which programs should be cut.
3. What initiative at the territorial level is needed to help the Yellowknife economy.

Everett Kasteel

1. As I am a candidate in the territorial election, I will respond at that level. My political hero is Jane Groenewegen. She has brought the issue of accountability up front in the legislature.

2. Program cuts are immediate solutions, we need to concentrate our energies on long-term solutions. The financial spotlight needs to be focused on how the government can raise revenue without raising taxes, rather than cutting programs. This is a challenge that I am genuinely interested in and there are solutions.

3. Yellowknife needs someone who is committed to developing a vision for Yellowknife at the territorial level. Yellowknife needs employment. Yellowknife needs accelerated highway construction. Yellowknife needs a solid plan for recruitment and retention of medical and teaching professionals. I will work hard with other MLAs to develop solutions for Yellowknife.

Dave Ramsay

1. Bernard Lord. At 33, he became the youngest premier in the history of New Brunswick. He didn't give up his dream, even though many thought he couldn't lead a party because of his age and inexperience. However, he gained the trust and respect of the people and was elected premier.

2. Absolutely not. I do not believe that program cuts are necessary nor desirable. Health care, education and economic development are far too important to play numbers with. A better approach is to aggressively promote our Northern goods and opportunities and obtain a better resource revenue sharing agreement with the feds.

3. In the NWT, we spend $500,000 a year on marketing. Compare that to our friends in the Yukon spending $4.7 million, and it's sad to think of opportunities lost. So, I support funding/incentive partnerships to help small businesses. And initiatives like the Housing Grant Program keep money in the North.

Alex Debogorski

1. I'd have to say Emilia Plater. She is a distant cousin of mine who caused major political upheaval during the Polish revolution. She made a stink with the generals at a time when women had no say (circa 1800). Also Grant Notley. He was the only NDP member in the Alberta legislature in 1971. He worked as hard for the people who voted for PC or Social Credit or Liberal as those who voted for him.

2. The GNWT is already suffering the effects of program cuts. Just look at the shortage of teachers and nurses. If anything, the MLAs need to go to city council and get the city to implement budget cuts. As well, the government needs to raise the payroll tax for those people working in the North and living or spending their incomes elsewhere.

3. We have to court our biggest partner (the federal government) with great humility -- with the humility of shit on our boots but with the tenacity of fresh shit stuck and smelling on their boots. They must help us with the financial problems due to division. Furthermore, we have to beg, plead and negotiate with our foster father (feds) to have a bigger share of the diamond and oil/gas resources. Finally, we need to build trust between ourselves (Yk) and Northern communities. This "us versus them" syndrome leads to costly ineficiencies.

Roger Russell

1. John Diefenbaker, for his dream of the "roads to resources" and his call to action as prime minister to build the Mackenzie Highway, the Dempster Highway, the Ingraham Trail and the surveyed road to Coppermine. I believe we need the same vision to realize our goals for our "new North."

2. I feel that ensuring efficient program delivery will serve us better than more government cutbacks. I believe the most effective solution to our $34- million problem is to aggressively source new avenues of funding through strong and confident negotiations for resource revenue agreements with the federal government.

3. I believe our economic security relies heavily on government promotion of our "new North" throughout global markets as a North that is open for business. Along with expanded tourism and sustainable development initiatives, we need to create economic loyalty amongst our leaders...the success of Yellowknife depends on and benefits all Northerners.

Sandy Lee

1. Nelson Mandela is my political hero. Twenty-seven years in jail for his political activism against oppression did not diminish his faith in humanity or belief in the possibility of a more just South African society. His steadfastness, humanity and sacrifice demonstrate true heroism.

2. The budget deficit must be monitored and kept under control. It should be kept in mind, however, that one-time expenditures last year, for pay-equity and health care settlements, account largely for this deficit. Without a full review of current programs, therefore, it would be irresponsible and premature to state what programs, if any, should be cut.

3. The GNWT must articulate a clear vision of our economic future. I will advocate a focused support of the tourism and natural resources sectors and infrastructure projects. The GNWT can provide leadership in promoting partnerships between the various levels of government and the business sector to realize the most sustainable and beneficial projects for Northerners.

Steve Petersen

1. On a worldwide historical basis I feel that Mahatma Ghandi was one of the most effective political leaders. On the Canadian front, Tommy Douglas and his vision helped shape the social conscience that defines this country. On a territorial level, I feel that Jane Groenewegen deserves kudos for her indomitable stance on corruption.

2. I feel that a complete re-evaluation of the way the GNWT does business is required. This would eliminate duplication and pave the way for the various government agencies to work together in a spirit of interdepartmental co-operation. Program cuts need not be an automatic reaction to a deficit situation, innovative approaches (increased mining royalties) have to be pursued to ensure economic stability.

3. The GNWT has to work towards the development of an incentive program to diversify the economic base in the North. The possibilities of sustainable industries in the areas of tourism, forestry, wildlife management harvesting, cold weather testing facilities, reclamation contracts and subsidiary jewelry industry are just a few of the areas that could provide long-term employment and business opportunities to Northerners.

Beaton MacKenzie

1. My father was a role model, inspiring me to a life in politics. He was a man of integrity, who was sought after for his insight and wisdom in all levels of politics.

2. Before any changes are to occur to a program, the program should be evaluated for its efficiency and proficiency.

3. We need to diversify our economy in areas such as tourism, promote development of secondary industry, accelerate the completion of Highway 3, promote the responsible development of exploration of our natural resources and promote funding initiatives for small business.

Tony Whitford

1. I admire and aspire to a combination of the values and principles of John F. Kennedy for his sentiment "Ask not what your country can do for you ... ask what you can do for your country." Sir Winston Churchill for his decisiveness. Pierre Trudeau for his concern for Canada's constitution and Ghandi for his kindness to humanity.

2. In a word, no -- not until I've had an opportunity to thoroughly examine the cost benefit impact on program recipients. There are options for cuts. One is a temporary suspension of some programs. The other is modification of programs across the board to help minimize the effects in any one area.

3. We must diversify our economy away from the main sources of government and mining. We need to enhance and develop secondary industry and manufacturing in areas such as Northern building technology, food processing, precious metalsmithing and tourism. The GNWT also needs to ensure the city has adequate support through transfer payments and effective regulations.

Charles Dent

1. My father (an alderman and mayor of Edmonton) among others, including Tommy Douglas and Robert Kennedy. From them I learned the most important thing for a politician is to really listen to people, then use common sense. And, know your "stuff" before opening your mouth.

2. We will offset about half the deficit this year with the surplus we carried forward. The bigger problem is the projected deficit next year, which could reach $60 million. We cannot afford cuts in services required to eliminate this. We need new revenues. With huge potential in mining, oil and gas and tourism, the best near-term source of new funds is our natural resources.

3. Leadership. We need leaders with vision to bring resource ownership North of 60. Our economy is ready to take off with oil and gas and mining activity, but too much of the new revenue will only benefit southerners. Keep more here, and Yellowknife does well as the territorial administrative and service centre. As an interim measure, DIAND must move the jobs dealing with Northern resources here.

David Wind

1. When Jane Groenewegen became aware of questionable practices by the "establishment" in the last legislative assembly and satisfactory explanations were not provided, she investigated and prepared conflict of interest allegations at considerable personal expense and political risk. She provided a necessary service when others would not. A true Northern political heroine.

2. We should first review projects, including the P3 initiatives which have been allocated $100 million this year. Some can probably be deferred. What is needed to ease pressure on our budget is a more equitable funding arrangement which provides us with a greater share of royalties from NWT mineral resources.

3. An agreement between industry, the GNWT and the federal government to develop an all-weather road into the Slave Geological Province. It would reduce costs for new and existing mines would enable development of additional mineral projects. It would increase tourism opportunities and encourage workers to move to Yellowknife.

Bill Schram

1. My political hero is Tommy Douglas, a founding father of the CCF. He became premier of Saskatchewan and led the NDP federally. He not only clearly articulated a progressive Canadian vision, he proved it can be done.

2. This question appears to be based on a false assumption. That being, the NWT has an economy large enough to balance a budget on in the first place. It does not. Eighty-one per cent of the GNWT's budget comes from Ottawa. The best way to "balance" our budget is to negotiate the reinstatement of monies that have been cut back over the last 10 to 15 years from the federal government. We have to take direct control of taxes from the mining and oil and gas industry. Program and budget cuts, plus layoffs of all kinds these last 15 years or more have led to this deficit.

3. There is no simple or single solution. Funding for micro-economic development and support for existing small businesses is needed. Apprenticeship and adult education programs, control of mineral, oil and gas resources, upgrading transportation and communication systems to support increased tourism and lower the cost of doing business. All of these initiatives will create primary jobs in Yellowknife and keep them here.