Iqaluit to host capital cities mayors’ summit
Promoters promise to lavish guests with boat tours and a ‘snowflake ball’ during five-day friendship fest.
MICHAELA RODRIGUE
Nunatsiaq News
IQALUIT — Iqaluit is preparing to roll out the red carpet and show off its new capital city status at a gathering of dignitaries from across Canada.
About 30 mayors and government officials are expected to descend on Iqaluit next week as part of the Canadian Capital Cities Conference. Mayors from the western provinces and Atlantic provinces are expected to attend.
The Canadian Capital Cities Organization tries to market and increase awareness of the historical significance of Canada’s capital cities, said Colleen Dupuis of the Iqaluit Trade and Promotion Office.
“It’s a meeting that tries to bring together all the capital cities in Canada to discuss issues that may be relevant,” Dupuis said.
The organization also tries to promote legislatures as tourist attractions and sponsors trips for families to experience Canada Day in another capital city.
The five-day conference includes the Canadian Capital Cities Organization’s annual meeting. It is the first time Iqaluit has hosted the event since being selected Nunavut’s capital in 1995.
Representatives from Iqaluit have attended the organiztion’s last three annual meetings.
Delegates will be treated to a dance dubbed the ‘Snowflake Ball’ on Tuesday evening, followed by a community feast and games on Thursday.
A boat tour is also planned. The conference was scheduled to coincide with Nunavut Day celebrations.
Issues such as marketing and city planning will be prominent during the meeting. Ottawa’s National Capital Commission chair Marcel Beaudry will be a keynote speaker.
To mark the new millennium, many capital cities across Canada are unveiling special tree-planting programs and a national tulip festival. Iqaluit’s arctic climate obviously precludes such horticultural celebrations.
“Iqaluit is at a slight disadvantage in that we are not in a position to participate in some of the initiatives. It’s not because we don’t want to,” Dupuis said.
For example, Iqaluit will not host exchange families.
“With April 1 happening, we were not ready to do this, this year well,” Dupuis said. Iqaluit expects to host families next year.
(0) Comments