Intergovernmental affairs minister tours Nunavut

Stéphane Dion, the federal minister of intergovernmental affairs, travelled though Nunavut this past week, stopping in Iqaluit, Rankin Inlet, Kugaaruk, Gjoa Haven and Arviat.

In Iqaluit, he met with Premier Paul Okalik, and in Kugaaruk, Gjoa Haven and Arviat he travelled with Nunavut MP Nancy Karetak-Lindell.

Okalik said he had a good, frank discussion with Dion on the holiday Monday, covering a host of Nunavut complaints including fish quotas, economic development and devolution.

The premier also discussed his troubled relationship with Robert Nault, minister of Indian and northern affairs, saying he looks forward to a new minister in the portfolio after the next federal election.

“The two guys have difficulty getting along,” Dion said. “We should do what we can to improve the relationship because both of them are men of good faith.”

Dion made no commitments during the brief meeting, saying, among other things, the fisheries minister will not renegotiate his decision on the Davis Strait quota this year, but may be open to discussions next year.

Dion last visited Nunavut three years ago with a federal delegation of diplomats.