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On the fly

What taxpayers were billed for Cabinet trips

Kathleen Lippa
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Mar 10/03) - Oil and gas, diamonds and meetings with other premiers were the top priorities for Stephen Kakfwi between April 1 and Sept. 30, 2002.

The premier had 30 reasons to leave Yellowknife on business during this time, at a total cost of $214,722.13 to taxpayers.

The most expensive trip took place July 23 to Aug. 2 when the premier, staff and some of his family flew to meetings with provincial premiers about the Kyoto Accord, diamonds and gas in Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Toronto, Montreal and Halifax at a cost of $40,448.96.

The least expensive was a $608.16 trip Aug. 19 to a spiritual gathering in Deline.

As a minister, Kakfwi said, he spends between 130 to 150 days away from Yellowknife annually. As premier it is more.

"The request to attend meetings has only increased," said Kakfwi last Friday.

If the travelling he does now seems excessive, Kakfwi says he isn't going to places he would like to, such as Fort Good Hope, his home town.

"I think the pressure is more travelling South and I think my constituents feel like ...it's more difficult for me to get to the Sahtu than it ever was."

Deputy premier Jim Antoine spent $106,781.55 on travel from April to September, which included an eye-catching trip to the Jewellers Circular Keystone Jewelry Show in Las Vegas May 30 to June 3 for $15,323.58.

"It was in part to do business with one of the international diamonteers, who has now, since then, invested in a business in Yellowknife," said Kakfwi.

Health and Social Services Minister Michael Miltenberger spent $75,721.39 on business travel from April to September. And Justice Minister Roger Allen spent $40,624.32 on business travel from April to September.

Not racking up as many air miles was Education, Culture and Employment Minister Jake Ootes, who took $26,452.93 worth of trips between April and September.

Municipal and Community Affairs Minister Vince Steen spent $49,316.35 on business travel.

But he almost spent as much with home travel to Tuktoyaktuk - $31,306.07 between April and September.