Thorunn Howatt
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Nov 21/01) - Last week Premier Stephen Kakfwi took a trip south to reassure oil and gas representatives that the territorial government is stable and the North is open for business.

Kakfwi rebukes 'petty' MLAs Premier Stephen Kakfwi has issued a harsh rebuke to MLAs who challenged his leadership and thanked Dene chiefs for their support. Speaking at the Dene leadership assembly Tuesday, Kakfwi accused MLAs who sponsored a non-confidence motion in late October of nearly derailing the government's efforts. "Some MLA's don't know a single Dogrib chief yet we are a government for everybody," said Kakfwi. He said the support showed by First Nations leaders saved the day. "I give credit to all of you for recognizing how important the issues are today and to keep working on them," said Kakfwi. He said he felt disillusioned "in my work" and "what I was doing" watching people get petty about "who works for you" and "who you give jobs to." He said he admired the respect First Nations leaders show each other in the face of those "fundamental issues you have to deal with."

"I was interested in connecting to some of the people in the oil and gas business. I think some of them were tuned into this motion of confidence that we had," said Kakfwi, referring to a recent special committee report that rocked the government.

"It was important to reconnect and let them know I'm a premier with even a stronger mandate than before and that there is very strong support from my cabinet, the MLAs and as well from the public."

Kakfwi met with members from Enbridge Pipeline Inc., Northrock Resources Ltd., Imperial Oil's K.C. Williams and Paramount Resources.

The trip was meant to update industry as well as government on future plans regarding energy exploration and issues regarding a Mackenzie Valley pipeline.

The Kakfwi government has strongly endorsed a proposal to take arctic natural gas from the Mackenzie Delta Beaufort Sea southward following the Mackenzie Valley. Low energy prices have caused some companies to cancel exploration and drilling plans.

"Northrock has cancelled some activity in the Sahtu," said Kakfwi. But he explained that Paramount is looking to activity in the Deh Cho region.

"Things change so fast, I thought it was time to go down and do that."

And southerners are looking for stability in the Northern government.

"They didn't come right out and say that," he said but added that the undercurrent was present.

A change in government might scare off oil and gas companies but Kakfwi's leadership confirmation could temper investor's jitters.

Another message carried by Kakfwi was the change in the territorial oil and gas portfolio. The Deh Cho region's Jim Antoine took over from Joe Handley. The Deh Cho region has been a roadblock to a pipeline proposal endorsed by the territorial government.