N.W.T. premier wants correspondence from leaders
Last Updated: Wednesday, December 14, 2005 | 6:01 PM ET
CBC News
In a letter to Stephen Harper, Jack Layton and Paul Martin, Handley asks for a detailed response to questions on the Mackenzie Valley gas pipeline, resource revenue sharing, the Mackenzie Valley Highway and the challenges of funding the territory according to its population.
The premier made a similar request in the last election, but he says he didn't receive the response he wanted.
"The last time I got a very brief reply from the Conservative party, I got a detailed reply from the NDP and I didn't get anything from the Liberal party, and that was a concern to me," says Handley. "But I'm optimistic that this time, having talked to the candidates, that they're going to take this one seriously."
Handley says he expects to receive responses this time because the Western Arctic riding was a tight race in the last federal election.
The premier has given the leaders a deadline of Jan. 9 to respond to his letter.
At that point, Handley intends to share the responses with the public.
He says it's important to hear from the leaders, not just the local candidates, because ultimately they will be accountable for the decisions their parties make.
