Taptuna pleased to host premiers
Leaders from Yukon, NWT, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta visit for meetings
Michele LeTourneau
Northern News Services
Published Monday, July 14, 2014
IQALUIT
They came, they went, and left behind a four-page press release in which it is stated "they also acknowledged the vital role that rural and remote communities play in the prosperity of Canada."
Three premiers and one deputy premier arrived for the 2014 Western Premiers' Conference in Iqaluit July 9 and 10 - a carefully orchestrated and closeted 24 hours in the host city during which they attended a mid-day Nunavut Day barbecue upon landing, had fun photos taken, received gifts of sealskin outerwear and held discussions.
Yukon Premier Darrell Pasloski, left, Nunavut Premier Peter Taptuna, NWT Premier Bob McLeod and Manitoba Deputy Premier Eric Robinson sit at a closing press conference after the Western Premier's Conference in Iqaluit July 10. - Casey Lessard/NNSL photo |
Reporters received notice of the contents of said discussions during the seven or so minutes devoted to them before the guests rushed off to the airport.
The host for the occasion, Nunavut Premier Peter Taptuna, was joined by the NWT's Bob McLeod and Yukon's Darrell Pasloski, along with Alberta's Dave Hancock and Manitoba's
deputy premier Eric Robinson. Saskatchewan's Brad Wall and Manitoba's Greg Selinger attended via teleconference.
"I'm very pleased that the western premiers and territorial premiers were able to gather here," said Taptuna. "I appreciate the fact that we discussed very pressing issues leading up to the Council of the Federation meeting."
Asked if this short meeting was necessary considering those present would be attending the Council of the Federation meeting in late August, Taptuna replied, "of course this meeting is necessary."
He added it offered the western and Northern premiers the opportunity to discuss "their unique and separate issues" which they want to bring forward to the rest of Canada's premiers.
Taptuna pointed to the labour market, market access, internal trade and improving housing as examples.
"So it is critical that we talk about these things and move them forward into our upcoming discussion in Charlottetown," he said.
Other topics noted in the four-page handout included exploring solutions for off-grid communities, addressing aboriginal child welfare and disaster management and assistance.
Taptuna was reminded that in 2007, the last time Nunavut played host to the conference, premiers had identified devolution as a key point for the territory.
"It does take a long time to negotiate," said Taptuna.
McLeod, who recently had the experience of being at the helm of his territory for the devolution deal with Ottawa, addressed the issue.
"Since 2007 we've negotiated very hard and aggressively for devolution for the Northwest Territories," said McLeod. "We learned a lot from the Yukon experience. And I don't think we would have been successful without the full support and co-operation of all the provinces and territories in Canada.
"I think if you go back and look at the record of 2007, a lot of this work is ongoing. We build as we go along. I think we've accomplished quite a bit in advancing a lot of important issues with the federal government and co-operatively amongst ourselves."
The Council of the Federation's meeting will take place in Charlottetown, P.E.I., Aug. 26 to 30.
Taptuna has previously expressed an interest in opening devolution talks between Ottawa and Nunavut.
