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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Speaking at a press conference hosted at Western Arctic MP Dennis Bevington's office Monday afternoon, NDP leader Jack Layton and fellow party members criticized the government of Prime Minister Stephen Harper, saying it is ignoring the real issues facing the North.

The day before a scheduled trip to the North, Harper's fourth in three years, Layton ripped into Harper for his militaristic approach to protecting the sovereignty of the North, saying it wasn't the right direction for Canada.

"There is a wonderful opportunity for Canada to build on our sovereignty claims through the support of the communities of the North and building on strengths, on the richness and heritage of the communities," Layton said.

Vancouver Centre NDP candidate Michael Byers, who the NDP claims is an expert on Arctic sovereignty, had harsh criticism of Foreign Affairs Minister David Emerson's comments concerning increased Russian flights into Canadian airspace. Byers said diplomatic co-operation is essential for dealing with this issue.

"I regard Mr. Emerson's comments as alarmist and irresponsible," Byers said, speaking from Vancouver over a conference call. "We need to be very active on the diplomacy front. The future of the Arctic needs to be in co-operation. It cannot be with a focus on military build-up and alarmist rhetoric."

Bevington, Layton and Byers all weighed in on various issues including the lack of infrastructure funding for the North. Bevington specifically addressed profits from the oilfield at Norman Wells, which is expected to hit around $100 million.

"We would like to see that turned back to the North in some form of infrastructure fund so that the investment that is required for the North can be made with the North's own resources," said Bevington. "This is something that needs to happen and I will continue to push for it."

Asked about NDP criticism of their party's stance on the North, Western Arctic Conservative candidate Brendan Bell said the North has not seen so much national attention since the 1960s when John Diefenbaker was prime minister.

"Upon taking office, Prime Minister Harper in my view has rekindled that enthusiasm and excitement about the North," he said. "That relates to sovereignty, to infrastructure investments through programs like Building Canada - it relates to the protected areas strategy and the focus on the environment which really has been unprecedented in the North.

"It's a very workmanlike approach to getting things done and delivering results to Northerners and I'm proud to be a part of that."

Bevington on the other hand said he hasn't seen any results, claiming major issues are still left unaddressed.

"Right across the North the cost of living is tearing at people and it's only going to get worse," he said. "We need programs from the Harper government that will recognize the seriousness of this problem for the people of our three territories. This issue is one that the government has yet to deal with."

Layton also said the government is neglecting the needs of the North while profiting in an extraordinary fashion from the valued resources.

"The people of the North who face high living costs could have the opportunity to develop the way they should," Layton said.