Jorge Barrera
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Mar 25/02) - The new leader of the Canadian Alliance says the Northwest Territories should have province-like powers.

Former Reform MP Stephen Harper won the leadership last week after mail-in ballots were counted.

"In principle, our view is the territories should be entitled to the same powers as a province," said Harper in an interview with News/North prior to winning the leadership.

He said the Alliance believes the federal government should put more power into provincial hands to administer their own affairs such as education and health care, leaving the federal government with jurisdiction over things like national security and justice.

He added the NWT should get a greater share of resource royalties, similar to what Alberta receives.

On the First Nations -- an issue often seen as the Achilles heel of the Alliance -- Harper said the federal government is taking too long in settling land claim and self-government agreements.

On the other hand, the federal government should not be funding self-government, said Harper.

"It's not genuine unless it's self-financed," said Harper.

Self-government powers, he added, should emulate municipal powers.

"It should not be its own quasi-state," said Harper. "It should enjoy all the benefits of Canada but not encourage segregation."

Harper still needs to get into the House of Commons before he becomes leader of the Official Opposition.