Dez Loreen
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Jan 20/06) - Western Arctic candidates were back on the hot seat Wednesday at a public forum sponsored by Alternatives North.

A panel of representatives from different interest groups questioned the candidates in the Jan. 23 election on a variety of issues.

Dennis Monsigneur of Ecology North asked how they would strive to reach the target dates set by the Kyoto protocol for lowering greenhouse gas emissions.

Independent candidate Jan van der veen drew a gasp from the packed auditorium in Northern United Place.

"Forget about Kyoto, let's drop the targets," said van der Veen.

Green Party candidate Alex Beaudin said Northerners should change the way they live.

"Have any of you changed your lives? Let's stop burning gas, and start taking advantage of sustainable energy," he said.

Van der Veen also brought more controversy to the table when candidates were asked to end poverty in the North.

He said he was confused with the way people in the North talk about wanting jobs, but won't take employment from the pipeline.

Liberal candidate Ethel Blondin-Andrew said "the Liberals have invested $300 million for new housing units, and we need people to build those houses."

Kiera Dawn Kolson, representing the Native Women's Association, asked candidates how they would improve the conditions for aboriginal women in the Territories.

Conservative Richard Edjericon said that women play an important role in society, and need to be treated equally.

Blondin-Andrew said "we need to increase aboriginal women's participation in leadership roles."

When it came to banning the use of replacement workers, New Democratic Party candidate Dennis Bevington said "in provinces where there is anti-scab legislation, the number of strikes has gone down."

"Banning the use of replacement workers will benefit our region greatly," he said.

Van der Veen again separated himself from the group, and said he would not support any legislation stopping employers from using replacement workers.

"Choice is a part of our human rights," said van der Veen. "If you take that choice away from employers, that denies them of their rights as humans."

Van der Veen also said he would not honour treaties between First Nations and the Crown.

He said that a deal is made between two people, and cannot be made to an entire race of people.

"I wouldn't honour those treaties," said van der Veen.

"Those people who made the deal a 100 years ago are all dead," said van der Veen, sending the room into stoney silence.