Blondin-Andrew, Handley at odds
Richard Gleeson
Northern News Services
Yellowknife (Nov 22/00) - The Western Arctic Liberal candidate says Prime Minister Jean Chretien's apparent backing of a Yukon pipeline from Alaska over a route being proposed by the NWT has been misinterpreted by the media.
"I'm not saying what the Prime Minister's saying is untrue, it's not," said Blondin-Andrew Monday. "There's just additional information that needs to be had for people to really understand the full weight of what's going to happen and how its going to happen."
A press release issued by Blondin-Andrew's campaign office Friday described a CBC radio report on statements Chretien made at a Nov. 16 Liberal rally in Whitehorse as as "incorrect and mischievous".
At the rally Chretien referred to a U.S.-Canada treaty he brokered as Indian Affairs and Northern Development Minister in the 1970s.
"They have virtually no choice but to take the gas from Alaska, through the Yukon and to market," boasted the Prime Minister.
The statement set off a round of applause at the rally and alarm bells in Yellowknife.
The day after Chretien made the statement territorial Economic Development Minister Joe Handley called the Prime Minister's Office for clarification. As of Monday afternoon, the call had not been returned.
Handley said it was an "odd" thing for the Prime Minister to say, considering his government has yet to clarify its position on the development of Canadian gas.
"Obviously the media had access to him before all the facts were known," said Blondin-Andrew of Handley's comments.
The Liberal MP said she got clarification from the Prime Minister in a phone conversation Friday.
"Joe's got his answer," said Blondin-Andrew. "The Prime Minister called me and told me that he totally 100 per cent supports the development of Canadian Arctic gas."
Handley said that's exactly what the territorial government wants to hear, but it wants to hear it from the government.
"We're not doubting what she's saying, but at the same time, as a territorial government, we'd appreciate some clarification," said Handley.
Blondin-Andrew did what she could to provide that Monday. In letters to Premier Stephen Kakfwi and NWT Chamber of Commerce president Kevin Diebold, Blondin-Andrew wrote, "Prime Minister Chretien's support is solid for the development of Arctic Canadian Gas, and a Mackenzie Valley pipeline to take it to market."
But Handley said the North needs to hear it from the federal government.
"There hasn't been any clear position from the federal government saying, 'Yes we support the development of Mackenzie Valley gas and we're going to ensure northerners get full benefits from it,' and that sort of thing," Handley said. Timing is a big factor in the development of Alaskan and Mackenzie Valley gas. Whichever is delivered to market first will enjoy a big price advantage.
Handley said there is a danger Mackenzie valley gas will be left "stranded" if Alaskan gas makes it to market first and depresses prices.
There's no question Chretien's statement was interpreted as a show of support for the Yukon route by Liberals at last week's rally.
"I was very happy to hear that and the recognition of the treaty and the Alaska Highway route," said Premier Pat Duncan.
"Our position consistently was there's opportunities and resources for two pipelines and two should be built," Duncan said.
The leader of Yukon's Liberal government said the pipeline from Alaska should be built before a Mackenzie Valley pipeline.
