Why should Yukoners vote Liberal in this election?

Prime Minister Paul Martin says because the Conservatives would cancel the $5 billion committed over the next 10 years to upgrade health care, housing and education for first nations; the Conservatives do not have a long-term vision on continuing municipal and rural infrastructure funding programs currently in place in the territory; and Conservative Leader Stephen Harper has refused to oppose drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR).

'We're saying that's no damn good,' Martin told the Star this morning during an interview from Toronto.

Martin said many of the Conservatives commitments and stances, especially in relation to the North, 'just don't make any sense.'

The Conservatives have come under attack since finance critic Monte Solberg told a Saskatchewan radio station the landmark accord signed with first nations during November's first ministers' meeting in Kelowna, B.C. was 'crafted (by the Liberals) at the last moment on the back of a napkin.'

'This is where your infrastructure, where your housing, your education, your health care so much of this comes along and yet (Harper) would cancel it and he would cancel the $5 billion that went along with it,' said Martin.

The Liberal platform, which was released in its entirety yesterday, doesn't include any new surprises for the North.

In reference to the territories, it focuses on closing the gap between aboriginals and non-aboriginals, ensuring there is infrastructure to support oil, gas and mining projects, creating foundations for economic growth, Arctic sovereignty, the $120-million Northern Strategy, safeguarding the environment and increasing funding for northern science and research.

The platform is built on the work already been done by the government, said Martin, adding 'an enormous amount of what will happen in the Yukon' over the next decade is actually encompassed in the Kelowna agreement.

'It lays out a very extensive plan for development in the North in terms of health care, education, infrastructure, economic development, the environment and it's going to be an absolute tragedy; the Conservatives have said they'll cancel it.'

Martin added it was an agreement reached in the presence of all the premiers, including the Yukon's Dennis Fentie.

But Solberg does not speak for the party Harper does, Fentie told the Star this morning.

Fentie read from a letter sent by Harper to the territories' three premiers, which states the Conservatives agree with the targets established at the first ministers' meeting, but the fact there is no financial plan regarding where the $5.1 billion will be coming from or how it will be allocated is a concern for the Conservatives.

'These are very important details that should be examined, discussed and agreed upon by all stakeholders involved,' Harper wrote.

Fentie said he was unconcerned during the meeting that a detailed financial plan was not created, adding it would be the responsibility of any party forming government to iron out the details.

The Yukon Party is committed to working with any governing party in a positive and constructive manner, he said.

On Wednesday, the federal Conservatives also announced the party would maintain the existing federal infrastructure agreements.

The commitment includes the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund and the Municipal-Rural Infrastructure Fund. The Yukon is currently receiving extensive funding from both, including $20 million for work on the Alaska Highway and waterfront development in Whitehorse and Carcross.

Other parts of the funding have gone toward the Marsh Lake recreation centre, Mayo's community centre, the Teslin and Takhini River bridges, Watson Lake's pumphouse and well, Champagne and Aishihik water, sewer and road projects, Dawson City and Old Crow airport renovations, the ski chalet expansion in Whitehorse, Faro's sewer line and Teslin's sewer main.

The infrastructure funds have previously been voted against by the Conservative party.

'The Conservatives oppose (the funds) and then they get into an election campaign and all of a sudden they are for them,' said Martin. 'You've got to ask yourself what's going to happen afterwards.'

The Conservatives have only committed to continuing the funds until they expire in 10 years.

The Liberals will continue the infrastructure funds well into the future and are also exploring how they can be increased, said Martin.

'We're saying these are long-term, permanent commitments. And (the Conservatives) won't commit to that,' he said. 'Transportation access in the North is crucial and the way in which we're working with the municipalities is crucial.'

The Liberal government has also fought for the Yukon in relation to opposing the American push for the drilling of ANWR, he said.

The refuge is the calving grounds of the Porcupine caribou herd, which is the lifeblood of northern Yukon's Vuntut Gwitchin people.

If the drilling of the 607,000 hectares of the refuge's coastal plain in Alaska is permitted, many expect it to have devastating effects on the herd.

'You can rest assured that as long as I am prime minister of Canada, Canada will do whatever is required to stop the drilling in the Arctic refuge,' said Martin.

Martin criticized Harper for refusing to take a public stance on the protection of ANWR and the caribou herd.

'(Harper), in fact, attacked me for insulting (U.S. President) George Bush on the issue,' he said. 'I found it actually incredible that I was down there speaking to (Bush), Stephen Harper was attempting to undermine me. It's just beyond belief.'

The Liberals' platform also draws reference to the need to broaden Canada's trade horizons and upgrade transportation infrastructure to connect the country to Asian markets.

Connecting to those markets has been one of Fentie's key arguments in discussion around the construction of an Alaska-Canada rail link.

A $6-million US feasibility study into the rail link is expected to be completed by this summer.

The Yukon Party government agreed to put $3 million toward the study. Canada's federal government has yet to commit any funds.

'(Liberal incumbent) Larry Bagnell has already said (the Government of Canada will support the rail link). I've talked to him extensively about it, and we're very supportive of it,' said Martin. 'It's precisely the kind of thing we should be doing.'

The prime minister did not provide a timeline on when a federal commitment to the rail link would be supported by a financial contribution, but there will be one, he said.

'I've already said we would do that.'

The Yukon government will hold both Martin and Bagnell to that commitment, said Fentie. If and when the rail link does go through, it expects the federal government to provide its 'fair share' of funding.

'We want to ensure commitments made, during this election and previously, are lived up to,' he said.

Bagnell has been a 'terrific' representative for the Yukon in ensuring the Liberals are informed, and working on, issues related to the North, including the rail link, ANWR and economic development, said Martin.

For Yukoners pleased with Bagnell's work as a member of Parliament, but expressing concerns or frustrations about the Liberal party as a whole, Martin said they are working to assure Canadians of the integrity of their government.

'What happened in the case of the sponsorship was unacceptable. Unacceptable. So as a government, I personally apologize, but we accepted our responsibilities,' he said.

'A lot of people said, don't call a commission or inquiry.' My view is when something of this kind happens, the only way people are going to be convinced of the integrity of government is you deal with it.'

Martin is not scheduled to visit the Yukon prior to the Jan. 23 polling date.

Bagnell won the June 2004 election with 5,721 votes. NDP candidate Pam Boyde, who is running again in this election, took 3,215 ballots.

The Conservatives came third, garnering 2,609 votes.