Andrew Raven
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Oct 26/05) - Range Lake MLA Sandy Lee rose Monday in the legislative assembly to re-affirm her fondness for mobile homes.

"They are beautiful and expensive," said Lee, who took the unusual step of addressing her counterparts at the outset of the session.

Lee said recent media reports in which she criticized a $200 million government plan to haul trailers into housing-starved communities created the perception that she has something against pre-fab structures. "That could not be further from the truth," she said. About half the homes in her west end riding are trailers.

Name calling does not leave a Dent

Lee later criticized Education minister Charles Dent, who was unable to reach a deal with Ottawa last week over federal child care contributions.

"We need a champion for children and day care," she said. The lack of an agreement with Ottawa "speaks to his inaction and incompetence," Lee said to hollers from the government.

Lee kept up the tirade at Dent after the minister said the territorial government would not sign the offer from Ottawa because it shortchanges Northerners.

Conflict commissioner steps down

Conflict of Interest Commissioner Ted Hughes announced his resignation Monday, capping the Northern career of one of Canada's leading legal experts.

An Officer of the Order of Canada and former B.C. Supreme Court Justice, Hughes chaired the inquiry into the infamous pepper spraying of protesters at the APEC conference in Vancouver.

As Conflict of Interest Commissioner, the soon-to-be 80-year-old Hughes advised MLAs on potential clashes between their political and personal lives.

Hughes gained widespread attention in the Northern media last year when he investigated two high profile political scandals. The first involved allegations of influence peddling by senior government officials, charges Hughes eventually dismissed.

As ethics counsellor, he also scrutinized the living arrangements of former MLA Roger Allen, who eventually resigned under a cloud of controversy.

"Mr. Hughes is leaving huge shoes to fill," said Education minister Charles Dent.

His term officially ends Nov. 30.