Northern premiers discuss missile defence, health care

Nunavut’s premier Paul Okalik, Yukon Premier Dennis Fentie and Premier Joe Handley of the Northwest Territories, met in Whitehorse last week to discuss health care, climate change, ballistic missile defence and infrastructure development.

Fentie said he and his colleagues view ballistic missile defence as a potential opportunity: “If we can benefit from it, great. If there’s drawbacks to it, we’d like to know. As it stands today, we’re (the Yukon) not OK with it because we’re not involved in it.”

The three premiers repeated their intent to work as a team on health care and natural resource development.

They also discussed the 2007 Canada Winter Games, which will be held in Whitehorse. The territories are looking at co-hosting the opening and closing ceremonies for the games, and may pool money for publicity in southern Canada.

“We see that as a wonderful advertising opportunity for Nunavut,” Okalik said.