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Sunday 05.02.2012

North needs roads, housing, money

Canada's prime minister Stephen Harper should look beyond the military in the quest for Arctic sovereignty, critics say.

Canada's prime minister Stephen Harper should look beyond the military in the quest for Arctic sovereignty, critics reminded him Monday as his aircraft touched down in Iqaluit, Canadian Press reports.

"The current emphasis on military presence overlooks the historical reality," said James Eetoolook, vice-president of Nunavut Tunngavik Inc., which is based in Iqaluit.

People have thus far built the North through trade as well as other means and, without the Inuit, there "would be no Canadian flag flying in the Arctic," he said.

The Nunavut land-claims agreement, struck in 1993, was the basis for the creation of the territory of Nunavut 10 years ago.

Under the terms, jurisdiction over some matters was transferred to the new territorial government, including wildlife management, land use and development, and property taxation.

"It makes us both partners for the future," Eetoolook said in a statement. "But often we feel like the forgotten partner, or even the invisible partner."

The federal cabinet's steering group - the priorities and planning committee - will be in Iqaluit over the next couple of day and is expected to consider "other strategic investments in economic development."

The Conservatives have already announced over $100 million for the next five years for strategic investments in the region as well as business development.

The prime minister's office also plans announcements in Yellowknife and Whitehorse on Harper's third trip to the Far North since he became prime minister.

The discussion of economic development will largely be a side show to the Nanook military exercise taking place off Baffin Island, where a Canadian navy frigate and submarine will conduct an anti-submarine drill.

Canadian Rangers, a reserve force of northerners, will also practise an amphibious assault near Iqaluit.

Harper will observe the exercise aboard HMCS Toronto.

New Democrats dismissed the entire tour as nothing more than a repackaging of old announcements.

The party's northern critic called for more investment in infrastructure and economic development.

"Northerners need roads, affordable housing and a fair shake on funding from Ottawa, not warships," New Democrat MP Dennis Bevington said in a statement Monday.

"Stephen Harper has yet to deliver on any of his northern promises. Photo-ops and hollow promises won't protect the North."