Yellowknife (Oct 15/04) - Premier Joe Handley says he wants an interim agreement with Ottawa to share revenues from mining and oil and gas activities in the territory.

Handley said revenue-sharing is the "critical missing link" as the NWT moves closer to the development of a Mackenzie Valley Pipeline. Handley made the remarks during his opening sessional address in the legislative assembly, Wednesday.

The territorial government and Ottawa are currently negotiating a devolution and resource-revenue sharing agreement, which is expected to completed by the spring of 2006.

But Handley said he has asked the federal government for an interim deal now so Northerners can "benefit immediately."

Both Great Slave MLA Bill Braden and Hay River North MLA Jane Groenewegen, however, were skeptical of Ottawa's commitment to devolution.

"I don't hear anything from the Premier that there's actually anything happening right now other than more talk," said Braden.

Premier Handley replied that some aboriginal leaders have asked for the government to slow down devolution talks until land claims have been settled, but that won't stop the GNWT from seeking interim revenue-sharing.

"We don't want to take on responsibilities without the money that comes with it," said Handley.