SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Joe Handley says his experience and ability to get things done will go a long way towards putting the Western Arctic seat in the House of Commons back in the Liberal column.

Joe Handley says his experience and ability to get things done will go a long way towards putting the Western Arctic seat in the House of Commons back in the Liberal column

The former premier was acclaimed as the Liberal candidate Saturday afternoon, just in time to greet party leader Michael Ignatieff, who arrived in Yellowknife Monday afternoon.

It could be argued Handley's greatest obstacle to winning the Western Arctic seat is the troubled Deh Cho Bridge project. Handley's signature on a concession agreement three days before the 2007 territorial election put the $165 million project into motion, which has since experienced many delays and cost overruns.

Handley later took a job with the New Brunswick-based company tasked with building it, Atcon Construction. But Handley said he doesn't see his involvement with the bridge as a problem.

"I think it's a positive (issue) for me because it's an example that we'll go and get things done, we're not just going to keep talking about it," said Handley.

"(The opposition is) going to try to make an issue out of it. That bridge, I think, is a tremendous economic opportunity - first of all it's a tremendous piece of infrastructure.

"Second is we've done it in a way that the Fort Providence combined council is the big beneficiary of that. We spent five years planning that bridge and we spent four or five million dollars on some of the best lawyers in the country, and engineers and bridge designers, so that it is done well."

Handley has extensive experience with the territorial government - 14 years as a deputy minister, and then eight years as an MLA; the last four as premier.

After choosing not to run at the end of the 15th legislative assembly in 2007, Handley became a private consultant. His numerous consulting jobs include a stint with government lender Pacific Western Bank, Atcon, and several aboriginal organizations, such as the Deton' Cho Corporation and the Norman Wells Metis.

"It could be this fall, it could be - who knows," said Handley.

In last year's federal election the Liberal Party, which once held the NWT in its grasp for 18 years under Ethel Blondin-Andrew, sunk to third place under candidate Gabrielle Mackenzie-Scott as the NDP's Dennis Bevington was elected for a second term.

Handley said he is confident the party can regain the 4,000 votes lost by highlighting a few issues he finds particularly important.

"Resource revenue change - we've got billions of dollars of wealth going out of this territory every year, and we've got to have some of this money stay in the North for reinvestment," said Handley.

"The second is on the settlement of outstanding land claims and all those agreements. Lets get them done. Another area is on environmental concerns. We have serious concerns about the environment."

Bevington said he welcomed Handley's challenge.

"I welcome anybody who wants to try out for this very important and difficult job," said Bevington.

Brendan Bell, last year's Conservative candidate and second place finisher, served as Handley's minister of Industry, Tourism, and Investment when they sat together in the 15th Assembly. He called the last election "unfinished business," and says he plans to run again.

Ignatieff said he is confident the new Liberal candidate will help turn the party's fortunes around in the NWT.

"We've got a candidate whom just everybody agrees, knows this place inside out and upside down, and has the political experience to provide leadership in Ottawa," said Ignatieff at a party function held in Yellowknife Monday.

"I think we put that together and we've got a winner."