Mike W. Bryant
Northern News Services
Yellowknife (Aug10/01) - Members of the federal Liberal's Northern and western caucus are scheduled to meet in Yellowknife later this month.
In an interview with Yellowknifer on an unrelated matter, Blondin-Andrew said, "the prime minister is coming to Yellowknife Aug. 20 for the (caucus) meeting."
Blondin-Andrew's communications assistant, Margaret Embleton, however, was more reserved in making any announcements regarding a possible visit by the prime minister. "That hasn't been confirmed, but we're hopeful that he will come during the late afternoon on Monday (Aug. 20)."
The Prime Minister's Office was reached yesterday by phone but would not confirm if Chretien will attend the meeting.
Nonetheless, Embleton was hailing the meeting as a major coup for Blondin-Andrew. It is the first Northern and western caucus summer meeting held in Yellowknife by the federal Liberal Party.
"Ethel was instrumental in getting the western caucus meeting in Yellowknife," said Embleton. "It's exciting, it's good news for Yellowknife."
Twenty-two Liberal MPs from Northern and Western Canada will be in attendance for the meeting, including Natural Resources Minister Ralph Goodale and Environment Minister David Anderson.
The meeting will be chaired by Charleswood St. James-Assiniboia MP John Harvard. In a press release, Harvard said he was looking forward to visit to the North.
"The North has a strong future, and we want to take this opportunity to see how we can help make it even stronger," said Harvard.
Blondin-Andrew said in the same release that she is "honoured that Northern and western caucus has decided to hold its summer meeting in the North. It will give Northerners an opportunity to share with caucus first hand what is happening in this part of the country and experience our unique culture and warm hospitality."
