Northern premiers group a ‘powerful tool,’ Akeeagok says
Nunavut premier takes his turn as chairperson of Northern Premiers’ Forum
Premier P.J. Akeeagok speaks at the Nunavut Trade Show in Iqaluit in this September 2023 picture. Akeeagok took over as chairperson of the Northern Premiers’ Forum, a group he calls a “united voice” for the leaders of Nunavut, N.W.T. and Yukon. (File photo by Jeff Pelletier)
Premier P.J. Akeeagok said a “united voice is a power tool” as he took his turn leading the Northern Premiers’ Forum, a group made up of the heads of Canada’s three territorial governments.
“This forum is an excellent opportunity to work together to ensure that our unique and shared northern needs can be brought forward effectively,” Akeeagok was quoted as saying in a news release his office issued Thursday.
The Northern Premiers’ Forum is where the premiers of Nunavut, Northwest Territories and Yukon meet annually to discuss their common interests as they engage with the federal government and other provinces.
The forum was created in 2003 — just four years after the creation of Nunavut — under the Northern Cooperation Accord.
Premiers of the three territories take turns as the forum’s chairperson.
N.W.T. served as the organization’s chair in 2023, with former premier Caroline Cochrane starting the year heading up the organization. But in December, its leadership passed to new N.W.T. Premier R.J. Simpson, who was sworn in as the territory’s premier in December, not quite two months ago.
Yukon Premier Ranj Pillai, who became his territory’s government leader a little more than a year ago, is the third member of the group.
The premiers’ priorities include Arctic security and sovereignty, infrastructure and housing, the news release said.
The Northern Premiers’ Forum’s 2023 meeting was in Inuvik, N.W.T. in May. No meeting date or location has been announced yet for 2024.
I’m impresses with this premier so far. Please continue to work with Inuit Nunagat as it surely has a future and need to work together to get things done
Will there be military training provided for nunavut residents? Will there be Inuit military squads with military housing? Will there be much needed military defense positions in nunavut? We don’t even have any attack helicopters. Let alone fighter jets. Not one single tank. Not one attack ship. Canada needs to spend there 2 percent on defense budget. No more financial aid for Israel gaza conflict.
inuit military squads, fighter aircraft, tanks, attack helios and attack ships all run by the fanatical inuit legions of the north. more like peelin potatoes with gomer pyle.
nice picture. can we see more selfies? This current gov thinks you can run a territory with pictures
Define selfie for me please, as far as I know, that is not a selfie
photo opp is what i tried to say. Disregard the selfie as it was an “oversight” on my part. LOL sound familiar?
United voice, complain of common issues then what? Nothing. Lets do it again next year. The count down is on for Nunavut to get a different leader. 1.8 years cant come soon enough.
Poor lil p.j just quit please
perceived power, if use correctly…..
The tool portion