High Arctic Council

New High Arctic council to share concerns at first meeting
CBC News North, Feb. 18, 2009

People from Nunavut's most northerly communities are set to gather next week to discuss their common concerns, from transportation to sovereignty.

The High Arctic Council will convene for the first time, with the meeting set for Iqaluit on Feb. 26. Representatives will be coming in from the communities of Arctic Bay, Resolute Bay and Grise Fiord.

Also attending will be Quttiktuq MLA Ron Elliott, who said it has been a challenge to represent three separate, remote communities fairly.

"So if we can get all three communities in the same room together, then we could actually come up with some solutions together," Elliott said Tuesday.

Elliott said the issue of transportation costs will likely dominate next week's discussions. Representatives from airlines First Air and Canadian North will attend the meeting, he added.

Council delegates are also expected to discuss the federal government's efforts to protect its sovereignty over the Arctic, as all three communities would be affected by a heightened military presence in the area.