Dennis Bevington, NDP candidate, announces party platform in N.W.T. - Action News
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Dennis Bevington, NDP candidate, announces party platform in N.W.T.

NDP candidate Dennis Bevington promised funding for infrastructure and renewable energy Tuesday, when he announced his party's platform for the N.W.T. He also vowed to reverse the Conservative government's plan to consolidate the four regional land and water boards.

Promises $200M for infrastructure, $100M to renewable energy projects

NDP candidate Dennis Bevington promised funding for infrastructure and renewable energy Tuesday, when he announced his party's platform for the N.W.T. (CBC)

NDP candidate DennisBevingtonpromised funding for infrastructure and renewable energy Tuesday, when he announced his party's platform for the Northwest Territories.

Bevingtonsaid the NDP will put $200 million into the construction of roads, bridges, and ports. Hesaid the party will spend $100 million over four years for renewable energy, such as biomassand solar power.

Bevingtonalso said he'll reverse the Conservative party's plan to merge the territory's four land and water boards into a superboard a contentious issue among First Nations and industry.

"Our commitment to First Nations is to eliminate the superboard immediately upon being government,"Bevingtonsaid.

"We are very fortunatethat the Tlicho injunction has stopped the creation of the superboard. It will be a very easy step for us to change that once we get rid of the Conservatives, and put in a government."

NDP candidate Dennis Bevington speaking with reporters Tuesday in Yellowknife, after announcing his party's platform. (CBC)

Bevingtonsays the NDP will also link the Northern Residents Deductionto the northern inflation rate, which he says is more than fiveper cent.

Calls out Harper forre-announcing funding

Bevingtonalso took the opportunity to call out Conservative leader Stephen Harper for re-announcing old funding.

He says the Conservative Party's recent election pledge to chipseal parts of Highway 5 inside Wood Buffalo National Parkis already budgeted for.

"That comes out of a $390 million Parks Canada infrastructure and roads fund that was set up in the budget this past year,"Bevingtonsaid.

"It's not new money. It's money that exists. That's not a platform investment. That's already an investment Parks Canada can make from the money allocated to it."

Harper made the $14 million dollar chipseal announcement in Hay River in August.