Dawn Ostrem
Northern News Services
 Fred Turner |
The party's candidate in the Western Arctic riding wants to establish a strong Northern voice in Ottawa and said the Canadian Alliance is sensitive to land claim and health care issues.
Turner cited a recent lobby effort to bring nine DIAND positions to the North from Ottawa."They refused to move,"
"Our position would be to put government as close to the people as possible."
Turner said "a level playing field" is needed for aboriginal land claims.
He accused the Liberal government of pitting groups within treaty areas against each other and then forcing them to settle too quickly.
"We will protect those aboriginal rights and land claims and respect them," he said.
"We will proceed by taking the good that is there and fix the rest ... in a more businessman's approach and with fairness."
Turner said public benefit from business developments in the North should be evident. He envisions a road built alongside the Mackenzie Valley Pipeline.
The Alliance policy on health care is restoration.
"There are four health boards in the North in a terrible financial position and the restoration of funds should alleviate that situation."
