Nunavut premier to miss Western Premiers’ Conference
John Main stays in Iqaluit to announce his government’s 2026-27 budget
Nunavut Premier and Minister of Finance John Main speaks with reporters on Monday, before presenting the 2026-27 budget in the Nunavut Legislature. (Photo by Mosha Folger)
Western provincial and territorial premiers are gathering today and tomorrow in Kananaskis, Alta., but duties closer to home will prevent Nunavut’s Premier John Main from attending the conference in person.
Main, who is also the territory’s finance minister, stayed in Iqaluit to announce the Government of Nunavut’s 2026-27 budget Monday.
“Conversations around Arctic security and defence are of interest to Nunavut as the federal government plans to invest substantially in Arctic security and sovereignty,” Main said in an emailed statement about the Western Premiers’ Conference.
Main expressed regret at having to skip this year’s meeting. Although he will not attend in person, he said he would “join remotely when time permits.”
Main’s press secretary, Joanna Awa, said he would not speak about Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s “statements on separation issues,” which have cast a shadow over this year’s conference.
Where is that? Where is kananaskis atla? Please spell put the whole province.
Try it…
Kananaskis is in Alberta.
Alta is a ski resort in UT. Would you prefer Alberta be abbreviated as AB?
This is a busy time for everyone in Management places .perhaps we should create partnering with public and present Nunavut Strong .
It is importnat when invited within Local Canadians to be present and respect the conversations within Canada.
Yawn. As if he would be effective. Just because you are white and can speak inuktitut doesn’t mean you are smart. Before being mla he was never elected for anything and zero governance experience. Dumb he represents arviat but could and never will be eligible to vote in a Kivalliaq election.