Richard Gleeson
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Mar 18/02) - Personal differences between two of the most senior members of the premier's cabinet team made for a awkward working environment in the Department of the Executive.

"It was a very strained relationship, a difficult one for us to work in," Finance Minister Joe Handley said last week, referring to his differences with former chief of staff Lynda Sorensen.

"I don't think I ever said I would resign if she didn't, but it was very clear that I wasn't going to work with her."

Though Handley was never identified by name at the time, Premier Stephen Kakfwi said Sorensen's resignation was partly prompted by a cabinet minister's threat to resign if she did not go.

Range Lake MLA Sandy Lee said it was Handley who made the ultimatum.

Handley said he and Kakfwi have discussed the issue. "We didn't feel we had to negotiate this to closure," the Weledeh MLA, who is also minister of transportation, said last week. "We just agreed that we saw it differently."

Handley said that though he and Kakfwi no longer have the friendship they once did, the two, and cabinet as a whole, have a good working relationship.

"I'll certainly do my job and do it as best as I possibly can. As long as I'm on cabinet support him as premier and support other cabinet ministers," he said.

"Being pals is secondary and really isn't that important to the running of government. The main thing is being able to work together."

Contacted by News/North Friday, Sorensen refused to speak about the issue or anything else.