Paul Bickford
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Jan 16/06) - Dennis Bevington says it appears Canada is heading towards a minority government after the Jan. 23 election.

The NDP candidate in the Western Arctic riding says when people hear reports of Conservatives leading the opinion polls, they realize there may be a complete change in the national political scene.

Dennis Bevington Party: New Democratic Party Age: 52 Occupation: Small business owner Marital status: Married Children: One son and one daughter, plus three grandchildren Place of birth: Fort Smith Place of residence: Fort Smith

"I think the New Democrats generally are in a good position to stand up to the Conservatives in Ottawa and keep them in line," he says.

Bevington says a change in Ottawa would likely advance the goal of devolution and resource revenue sharing for the NWT.

"A change in government is going to be good for the Northwest Territories," he says.

Bevington says he could help promote devolution and resource revenue sharing by working closely with the GNWT and posing questions to the appropriate federal ministers.

"I think the political pressure will build very quickly."

Bevington feels that the fact his two main opponents in the Western Arctic are aboriginal will not be the defining element in the campaign - even though some speculate he might benefit from a divided aboriginal vote.

He notes he won the support of many aboriginal people during the 2004 election, when he almost unseated Liberal MP Ethel Blondin-Andrew.

"I think in the Northwest Territories that Northerners - all of us - are very progressive in looking at people regardless of your background," Bevington says.

Overall, he says his campaign has been going very well, noting people are looking at him as a voice for change.

Bevington says the main issue among voters is resource development, such as the Mackenzie Valley pipeline.

"Everywhere I've gone, people are interested," he says.

The second most prominent issue is the high cost of living, especially in small and isolated communities.

"The cost of living is so high it's taking people's disposable income," he says.

Third on people's minds is the environment, Bevington says, explaining the unusually warm winter this year has heightened concerns about global warming.