RANKIN INLET - The eyes and ears of Nunavut MP and federal Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq paid a visit to the communities of Rankin Inlet and Arviat this past week - in the form of recently appointed Senator Dennis Patterson.

Senator Dennis Patterson and information-technology worker Lymieky Pijamini, right, try to access images on Patterson's laptop during his visit to Nunavut Arctic College's Kivalliq campus in Rankin Inlet this past week. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

The senator appeared before students at the Kivalliq campus of Nunavut Arctic College in Rankin, as well as visiting with council members and organizational representatives in both communities.

While in Iqaluit to attend the G7 finance minister's meetings earlier this month, Aglukkaq and Patterson consulted with a number of Nunavut and Inuit organizations in advance of the upcoming federal budget.

Patterson, a former premier of the NWT, has a long history with Arctic College and was happy for the chance to address a number of its students.

"I was the NWT's Education minister when legislation passed to establish Arctic College and Kivalliq Hall was built in Rankin, which was originally planned to be a regional high school," said Patterson.

"That, of course, didn't work out because we decided to go the community high school route.

"I put a lot of care and planning into this facility and I'm just so delighted it's still serving such a useful purpose.

"I also spent the past three years here teaching Northern government, on a part-time basis, to students in management studies and office administration, as well as the foundations course."

Patterson met with Rankin council members to discuss plans for a new community complex and arena in the hamlet.

He said the information he gathered on the project will be passed on to Aglukkaq upon his return to Ottawa.

"I am not an elected person, nor a cabinet minister, but I do have a close working relationship with Minister Aglukkaq.

"I was here on her behalf and I will share my findings and recommendations with her.

"I'm not portraying myself as a decision maker, but I am part of a government that's, obviously, interested in the North and has a Northern strategy that needs to be fully implemented, and that includes social and economic development.

"There's only two of us representing Nunavut in both Houses in Ottawa, so we work closely together and I like to think I help Minister Aglukkaq reach out to her constituents while meeting the demands of her busy portfolio."

Patterson said he and Aglukkaq are meeting this week in Cambridge Bay while attending a mining show.

He said their recent schedule has allowed them to, at least, touch base in all three regions of Nunavut before the federal budget is finalized.

"I'm a helper and an adviser, and wouldn't portray myself as anything more," said Patterson.

"But, I'd like to think my recommendations and information on various issues do have an impact with those who make the final decisions on such important matters."

The federal Department of Indian and Northern Affairs is leading the government's attempts to reform the food mail program so it provides better value for the dollar.

Patterson said he's optimistic the government will soon announce the program has been reformed in ways that put more of a focus on healthy foods.

He said that's the proper direction for the program to take, with a recent Inuit health survey showing there are nutritional health issues with as many as three out of five Inuit children.

"The program needs to have more accountability from retailers to demonstrate the subsidies are being passed on to consumers.

"We'd also like to see the transportation methods being utilized by the food mail program become more effective, as well.

"I can't say too much more right now, because I'd be speculating, but it's a valuable program that positively affects both the health of our people and the cost of living in the North, if we do it right.

"I can say, Minister Aglukkaq and I have both received a very strong message - loud and clear - that the individual or personal food orders are important and should be retained."