Akeeagok and Trudeau have ‘great conversation,’ premier tweets

PM, premier discuss Arctic sovereignty and security during meeting on Parliament Hill

Nunavut Premier P.J. Akeeagok, left, chats with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Thursday in Trudeau’s Parliament Hill office. Akeeagok later tweeted it was a “great conversation” that touched on Arctic sovereignty and security as well as on Nunavut’s “core priorities.” (Photo courtesy of P.J. Akeeagok/Twitter)

By Nunatsiaq News

Arctic sovereignty and security were on the agenda Thursday afternoon during a meeting between Nunavut Premier P.J. Akeeagok and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Akeeagok called it a “a great conversation” in a message he posted on Twitter after meeting Trudeau in his Parliament Hill office. He tweeted two photos — one showing the two leaders shaking hands and a second of them seated, talking with masks on.

“Thank you to Prime Minister Trudeau for taking the time to discuss joint work on Nunavut’s key priorities,” Akeeagok wrote.

In December, at the start of the current term for Nunavut’s legislative assembly, MLAs identified five “core priorities” to guide them over the next four-year term: a comprehensive elder-care strategy; reinvesting in education; enhanced health, mental health and addiction services; improved housing; and economic diversification.

For Akeeagok, Thursday’s conference with Trudeau followed a string of meetings this week. On Monday, he met with Yukon Premier Sandy Silver and Northwest Territories Premier Caroline Cochrane in Whitehorse.

The three territorial premiers issued a joint statement on climate change in which they called for “increased federal attention” on Northern issues, such as renewable energy and building infrastructure that can withstand the effects of climate change.

Arctic sovereignty and security have been on the minds of the premiers of Canada’s Northern territories, particularly since the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

In March, they signed a joint letter calling on Trudeau to talk to them about the emerging issue. They were on the agenda for a virtual meeting with Trudeau in early April.

On Wednesday, Akeeagok posted a picture of himself with Nunavut MP Lori Idlout and the head of her party, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh. The premier and the two New Democrats talked about Nunavut’s “housing gap,” Akeeagok wrote.

 

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(6) Comments:

  1. Posted by Solidarity Fornever on

    Still no word about the NEU agreement, or lack there-of.

    4 years without an agreement.
    A tenetative agreement reached in February, but never ratified by the membership.
    No cost-of-living clause (according to the NEU website), but inflation is climbing daily.

    Nunatsiaq News, when will you start asking questions?

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    • Posted by John WP Murphy on

      When will the membership ask questions of their overpaid executive

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    • Posted by Serious what the on

      How can you guys not report on this, it impacts thousands of people across Nunavut?

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      • Posted by Perpelxed by NN on

        It is puzzling to say the very least, especially when there are two stories a day about Mary Simon’s trip home; Mary goes dancing, Mary meets kids, Mary has dinner… come on gang, we all like Mary, she’s cool, but is this the most important thing going on right now?

        Indeed, what about the prospective union contract and the ongoing ratification process? Surely this is of enough interest to generate at least one story?

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  2. Posted by Moe on

    The right honorable Justin Shuster Trudeau, yeah we are doing well.

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  3. Posted by 867 on

    disappointing choice of socks, justin

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