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(Ottawa) The northern territories are more interested in a new deal for sharing resource revenues than in achieving provincehood, says Northwest Territories Premier Joe Handley.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper promised during the recent election campaign that northerners should be the primary beneficiaries of resource development, and Handley intends to hold him to that vow.

Handley's goal is to obtain an agreement-in-principle when the territorial

leaders meet with Harper on Saturday, followed by negotiations on a new revenue-sharing formula.

It's a more realistic goal than the transition to full provincial status which would require a constitutional amendment, Handley noted.

"To become a province, we'd need the support of seven out of the 10 provinces having a total population of 50 per cent. That becomes very complicated.

"At this point we're not fixed on provincehood but more on taking on province-like responsibilities."

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