Thorunn Howatt
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Mar 11/02) - A group of Northwest Territories business leaders are in Ottawa this week asking the federal government for $200 million.

"We have been planning this for several months," said the president of the NWT Chamber of Commerce, Kelly Kaylo.

She's backed by some big guns, namely the Chamber of Mines, the NWT Construction Association, manufacturing and trucking associations.

"We represent about 95 per cent of the business community in the Northwest Territories," said Kaylo.

The group will lobby for roads, airports and other infrastructure cash. The trip is being paid for privately.

"It's not just the North," said Kaylo. She believes developing the North will benefit the whole country.

One of the coalition's concerns is the territory's limited base tax population. The federal government keeps 100 per cent of royalty money made from resources like diamonds and oil and gas. The coalition thinks costs associated with the growing economy aren't covered by the federal government, and it wants $50 million per year for four years.