TOBIQUE, N.B. — A New Brunswick politician says federal dollars for twinning the Trans-Canada Highway (TCH) through his province aren’t tied to leadership loyalties in the federal government.

Andy Savoy (Tobique-Mactaquac) dismisses rumors that he was given an ultimatum to support Prime Minister Jean Chretien at the leadership review or lose the funding for the TCH during a telephone conversation.

“It was a real friendly call,” says Savoy of a call from Chretien on Sunday who was reportedly trying to size up his support in caucus.

Savoy says he will offer his continued loyalty as long as Chretien is leader. But the rookie MP insists he doesn’t feel compelled to profess his loyalty in order to garner Chretien’s support for funding half of the estimated $420 million worth of highway work in the province.

“I don’t really feel bound (to him) because he’s made a promise to me,” says Savoy, who has been identified as a supporter of leadership rival Paul Martin. “I think the promise was made to all the people of New Brunswick and I don’t think it’s an issue where he’s going to hold it over my head.”