Photo: Prime Minister visits CHARS site in Cambridge Bay

Prime Minister Stephen Harper, second from right, does a walk-about in Cambridge Bay Aug. 23 with his wife Laureen, far right. Harper visited the site where construction has begun on the $142.4 million Canadian High Arctic Research Station. Ottawa has committed $188 million over six years to the project, including $$46.2 million for its science and technology research program. This past May, Ottawa awarded an $84.9 million contract to EllisDon Corp.and NCC Dowland Construction Ltd. for construction management on the project. Harper also visited the hamlet’s dock to learn about the University of Victoria’s Neptune project, an underwater observatory that collects and transmits data on ocean conditions. The PM will visit Pond Inlet today, Aug. 25, and is expected to arrive in Iqaluit later in the afternoon or evening. (PHOTO BY RED SUN PRODUCTIONS)