Yellowknife (Jan 24/05) - The importance of building the North was on the menu last week as people from around the NWT gathered to toast $122 million in joint federal funding for infrastructure development.

Minister of State for Infrastructure and Communities John Godfrey and Minister of State for Northern Development Ethel Blondin-Andrew were the guests of honour at a champagne soiree in Yellowknife.

The event was hosted by the Western Arctic Liberal Association at the elegant home of David Connelly. Non-partisan guests from around the territories were invited to meet the ministers and update them on regional infrastructure priorities from the Beaufort to the Deh Cho.

With the Kyoto Accord set to become international law, Godfrey said change is something Canadians better get used to soon.

"Climate change is probably the biggest challenge facing politicians of our generation," he said. "There's going to be radical change in how things are done."

Key to making those environmental changes a reality, however, is unlocking the vast potential of Northern resources with new and improved transportation corridors. At the same time it is important to remain committed to sustainable community development, Godfrey said.

"We have to avoid the boom and bust," he said. "We want to create places that are not standard, but that are special ... without dwelling too much on past history."

Many of those at the event took the opportunity to update both federal ministers about regional priorities and projects that may someday help fuel the sustainable development Godfrey promised.

From Fort Providence, Deh Cho Bridge Corporation's chief operating officer Michael Nadli said his group has the ambitious goal of breaking ground on a Mackenzie River crossing this spring.

"It's good for industry and it's good for our communities," he said. At the same time, developing hydroelectric power in the Sahtu is key to positive growth, said Richard Nerysoo, chairman of the NWT Power Corporation and Chief of the Inuvik band.

With the pipeline coming, he said there's no reason the region couldn't be supplying the line's compressor stations with power if generating capacity of the Great Bear River can be harnessed.

"At the same time the communities, whether it's Tulita, Deline, Norman Wells or Fort Good Hope, would get cleaner, more affordable power," he said.

"We have to think how the North can be an energy provider beyond the pipeline."

This was an idea not lost on Yellowknife Centre MLA Robert Hawkins.

He said his previous experience as a city councillor opened him up to the fact municipal infrastructure is crumbling and is in desperate need of cash infusions like the ones announced by Godfrey.

"I'm fascinated by the leverage that's created here," he said prior to suggesting pipeline operators could be legislated by the GNWT to use hydro-electric power, "providing it's the same cost or cheaper," than other, dirtier power sources.

Many in the Sahtu region are likely disappointed the recent announcement only carried with it a bridge across the Great Bear River and improvements to the Mackenzie Valley winter road, rather than the all-weather route they have been seeking for years. Blondin-Andrew said such a project, however, is just a matter of time.

"We're doing it incrementally," she said, adding the slopes being shaved and rivers being bridged will help make year-round road-access possible in the future.

Last Tuesday, federal infrastructure minister John Godfrey, Western Arctic MP Ethel Blondin-Andrew and Municipal and Community Affairs Minister Michael McLeod, unveiled a plan to deliver $32 million over five years in matching funds for municipal infrastructure needs.

Fifty-five per cent of the fund will go to non-taxed-based communities, while six tax-based communities will split the other 45 per cent.

Tax-based communities will provide a third of their own funding, adding an extra $7 million to the money that will be spent on infrastructure.

The split didn't sit well with Yellowknife. Mayor Gord Van Tighem said considering that half the people in the territory live in Yellowknife and many from communities outside of the city use its services, it doesn't appear that the city got a fair shake.

"We need to be able to provide the infrastructure to support the growth that has occurred," said Van Tighem.

McLeod said the government was forced to make tough decisions in dividing the money because the gap in infrastructure funding goes "across the board."

Two months ago his department released a report indicating that the gap will increase by $186 million over the next 10 years.

"We based our allocations on the findings of the study," said McLeod.

"There are more needs across the board in communities, although our larger centres require more money."

Tuesday's press conference also announced an additional $45 million from Ottawa to build roads and bridges in the NWT.

That amount will be matched by the territorial government.