Mike W. Bryant
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Aug 15/01) - Federal NDP Leader Alexa McDonough is hoping a stop in Yellowknife today will help revive her party's fortunes and offer hope against the Liberal juggernaut that has claimed the Western Arctic four straight times.

The Western Arctic NDP riding association is hosting a public workshop this afternoon at the Yellowknife Inn between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m., in which McDonough will participate.

Riding executive member Bob Haywood is calling the visit by the federal leader a major boost for all New Democrats in the North.

"It's great, it's bringing us some real publicity," said Haywood.

McDonough's visit to Yellowknife is part of ongoing renewal process by the party that began last April.

The NDP was left barely hanging onto its party status after last year's federal election and has dwelled in the single digit numbers in the polls ever since.

As part of its drive for revitalization, the NDP is hosting 50 renewal forums across the country to seek input on how to rebuild the party.

The forum in Yellowknife is one of several McDonough is attending this summer.

"She's listening in on what the party membership and non-party membership are saying and which direction the party should go, and how we can revive our fortunes in the upcoming election," said renewal commission staffer Ron Stipp from Ottawa.