Malcolm Gorrill
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Apr 05/00) - Western Arctic MP Ethel Blondin-Andrew says she's "prepared to exhaust all channels" as she tries to assist Giant miners.

Speaking to reporters after a meeting Friday with Mary Kosta and Giant pensioner Mike Walcer, Blondin-Andrew said she "still has a body of work to do" to try to address the shortfall in the hourly pension fund at Giant mine.

"I want to talk to some of the people who are involved in labour that have more expertise," the MP said.

"I spoke on the budget this week and I raised that issue. I actually raised it and said this should not be the case," Blondin-Andrew said of the pension shortfall.

"On every occasion that I've had, every venue, every caucus, every group that I've spoken to, every colleague that will listen to me is trying to avoid me, because this is my mantra," she said.

"It is a travesty. There isn't anyone who will tell you this is okay. It's not okay. It's unacceptable."

Blondin-Andrew promised to meet again with Kosta this weekend, and she said she was going to invite Minister of Labour Claudette Bradshaw to come with her to Yellowknife.

On Monday afternoon, Bradshaw's legislative assistant said he was not aware of any plans for Bradshaw to come to Yellowknife this weekend.

Scott Naugler said, "She's very concerned. She's watching the situation closely."

Naugler pointed out the pension issue falls outside Bradshaw's jurisdiction.