Premier Taptuna closes busy summer of meetings
Communique
For Immediate Release
Premier Taptuna closes busy summer of meetings
Charlottetown, PEI (August 29, 2014) – Premier Peter Taptuna, along with territorial premiers and provincial counterparts, wrapped up discussions during the annual Council of the Federation (COF) meetings in Charlottetown today.
Premier Taptuna closes a busy summer of bilateral and inter-governmental meetings with the welcoming of the Arctic Economic Council, where he will co-host with Nunavut Member of Parliament Leona Aglukkaq on September 1. He will also attend the annual Northern Premiers’ Forum in Yellowknife the week of September 3.
"These meetings and discussions provide an opportunity to put Nunavut on the front burner, and to work co-operatively and face-to-face with my federal, provincial and territorial colleagues," Taptuna said.
Premier Taptuna met with Prime Minister Stephen Harper in Cambridge Bay as part of the groundbreaking ceremony of the Canadian High Arctic Research Station (CHARS). They also held a private discussion on education, housing and infrastructure requirements for Nunavut.
During the COF meetings, Premier Taptuna discussed with his colleagues the unique social and economic challenges, as well as the opportunities Nunavut brings to the Canadian federation. Along with his fellow premiers, Premier Taptuna supports National Aboriginal Organizations and the proposal of moving forward with a roundtable on missing and murdered aboriginal women. Lessening trade barriers within Canada was also a major topic of discussion at COF. Nunavut is supportive of a modernized internal trade agreement, one that would bring benefits to the territory. Premier Taptuna re-emphasized unique factors and needed investments for infrastructure in Nunavut.
"As the youngest jurisdiction in the Confederation, we appreciate the support and encouragement from our provincial and territorial colleagues," Taptuna said. "We strongly believe that dealing with the social and economic needs of Nunavummiut through education, ongoing academic and vocational opportunities, and developing our mineral and other resources will help Nunavut achieve standards equal to or better than Canadian averages."
Earlier this summer, Premier Taptuna met with Greenland Premier Aleqa Hammond in Nuuk, hosted the Western Premiers’ Conference in Iqaluit and attended the Ontario government’s forum on infrastructure at the invitation of Premier Kathleen Wynne.
"These meetings have been excellent platforms to raise Nunavut concerns and issues, and also demonstrate our unique territorial factors," Taptuna said.
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Media Contact:
Lauren Solski
Communications Officer
Department of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs
867-975-6004