Minister Joly to travel to Iqaluit to meet with territorial premiers

From: Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that she will travel to Iqaluit, Nunavut, on May 5-6, 2024, to meet with territorial premiers on the margins of the Northern Premiers Forum. She will be joined by the Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence, and by the Honourable Dan Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs.

The Ministers will meet with Premier Ranj Pillai of Yukon, Premier R.J. Simpson of the Northwest Territories and Premier P.J. Akeeagok of Nunavut to seek their views on the geopolitical situation in the North and on Canada’s current foreign policy engagements in the region.

While in Iqaluit, the Ministers will also engage with the Mayor of Iqaluit, Solomon Awa, and local stakeholders to hear about their concerns and perspectives on the challenges and opportunities facing the Canadian North.

Quotes

“The Arctic is a geopolitically important region where Canada’s sovereignty is well-established and long standing. In the current turbulent world context, we need to strengthen our diplomatic engagement to secure our interests. I look forward to engaging with the territorial premiers and community leaders on the myriad of challenges and opportunities facing the region.”

– Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs

“Protecting Canada’s North and Arctic is a key component to upholding our sovereignty. I look forward to having a good conversation with the Premiers of Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, as well as Inuit leadership on threats to the North and Arctic, and how we can all work together to protect our country and keep Canadians, Northerners and Indigenous communities safe.”

– Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence

“The wellbeing of northern communities is at the heart of our work domestically and internationally. We recognize the challenges which all northerners continue to face with regards to housing, emergency preparedness, food security, and opportunities presented by multi-use infrastructure. Our government is taking actions to address these priorities. The financial commitments outlined in Budget 2024 will contribute to our ongoing work with partners to implement the Arctic and Northern Policy Framework.”

– Dan Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs

Quick facts

• Canada’s Arctic and Northern Policy Framework was launched in September 2019. For the first time, the federal government worked collaboratively with Indigenous partners and territorial and provincial governments to define and co-develop a long-term vision for the Arctic and the North. The Framework reflects the priorities and perspectives of Arctic and Northern peoples and is grounded in inclusive engagement across the region.
• The Arctic and Northern Policy Framework’s international chapter aims to address three key opportunities facing the circumpolar Arctic: strengthen the rules-based international order in the Arctic, more clearly define Canada’s Arctic boundaries and broaden the country’s international engagement to contribute to Canada’s priorities in the Arctic and North.

Associated links

• Arctic and Northern Policy Framework International chapter
• Canada and the Arctic Council
• Northern and Indigenous partners gather for the 4th annual Arctic and Northern Policy Framework Leadership Committee meeting
• Our North, Strong and Free: A Renewed Vision for Canada’s Defence

Contacts

Media Relations Office
Global Affairs Canada
media@international.gc.ca

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