Mark Carney will visit Nunavut in the next few days after trips to the United Kingdom and France, his office says.
In a Saturday news release, the Prime Minister’s Office said Carney will visit Paris, London and Iqaluit between Sunday and Tuesday.
Carney is expected to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, King Charles III and Nunavut Premier PJ Akeeagok.
His Tuesday trip to Iqaluit is to “reassert Canada’s sovereignty in the Arctic,” his office stated.
Carney’s itinerary involves meeting with members of the Canadian Rangers then discussing with Akeeagok the “evolving needs and priorities of Arctic and northern communities.”
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“He will reaffirm the new government’s support for growing a stronger economy across the North, reinforcing its sovereignty and security, and emphasizing our continued commitment to advancing reconciliation with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis throughout the country,” the news release stated.
The European leg of the trip will focus on economic, commercial and defence ties between Canada, France and the UK.
“My visit to Nunavut will be an opportunity to bolster Canada’s Arctic sovereignty and security, and our plan to unlock the North’s full economic potential,” Carney was quoted as saying.
Iqaluit has been a focal point for the Arctic sovereignty plans of both the Liberals and Conservatives.
National defence minister Bill Blair just selected Iqaluit alongside Yellowknife and Inuvik as military support hubs, a designation that comes with significant new funding – though only a few million dollars in the opening five years, which NWT Conservative candidate Kimberly Fairman said on Saturday demonstrated a “lack of commitment to northern security.”
The Conservatives have said they would build a new military base in Iqaluit, among other measures, if elected to govern the country.
