Blondin-Andrew senses a lot of support
Malcolm Gorrill
Northern News Services
Inuvik (Nov 24/00) - The incumbent Western Arctic MP senses a lot of support and optimism as she seeks to return to Parliament.
Ethel Blondin-Andrew said people in the Inuvik area are more optimistic than they were earlier in the decade, and she said that's understandable given that a large amount of money is expected to be spent here over the next few years in oil and gas development.
"These are basically good times for the North," said Blondin-Andrew, who's been a Member of Parliament since 1988.
"We just have to make sure, as we've always systematically experienced, that the distribution of wealth reach those who need it the most."
The Liberal MP spoke to The Drum last Friday, shortly before going on a visit to Aklavik, and said that people had seemed generally happy in the 26 communities she had visited so far.
"There might be individuals who have their axes to grind," she acknowledged. "Because people want things doesn't mean they're unhappy. They just want to improve their lives."
Blondin-Andrew said that prior to taking part in a debate last week in Inuvik, the gun control issue had not come up very often. She said no one has been "overly aggressive" about the legislation, and that she has pointed to 16 amendments she helped bring about that addresses some concerns held by Northerners.
She said people are also pleased the Liberals have eliminated the deficit, which means the North could reap benefits from federal surpluses. Blondin-Andrew referred to several ways Western Arctic residents have already benefitted from her party, such as funds for early childhood development and a national child benefit, as well as the recent infusion of funds into health care across the country.
Blondin-Andrew said she had several goals to achieve if re-elected.
"One of them would be to get a resource revenue sharing mechanism, and the other would be to provide support to sustain and to aid this whole development process. We need the nonrenewable resource development strategy funded. And we need roads," she said.
"On the social side, I really want some issues, such as children with special needs, dealt with."
She said a Northern environment strategy should be developed.
"In the Beaufort Delta, I'd like the government to take a real strong position on reclamation policies, not to drive development away but to assist them."
Blondin-Andrew said there's a lot of things to work on if she's successful Nov. 27.
"I promise to work hard. I'll be 24-7 for the people that elect me, which I have been, I believe."
