Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

NNSL (Mar 10/99) - A total of 53 municipal, private sector and provincial delegates from Manitoba, including provincial Minister of Northern Affairs David Newman and Minister of Rural Development Leonard Derkach, visited a number of Keewatin communities this past week in an effort to strengthen trade relations between the two areas.

Mike Courtney, manager of operations for the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs in Rankin Inlet, said the main focus of the Manitoba Trade Delegation's visit to the Keewatin was to reciprocate this region's January visit to the western province and bring a broader stream of Manitoba business personalities to see what the Keewatin has to offer.

The delegates visited Rankin Inlet, Whale Cove, Coral Harbour, Arviat and Baker Lake during their mission and Courtney says the delegates were very impressed with the atmosphere and hospitality of the various municipalities.

"From the Manitoba delegates side, they were absolutely overwhelmed by the different communities," says Courtney. "They made a lot of contacts and, it's my understanding, initiated some programs.

"They realize there's tremendous opportunity for Manitoba to expand up here, lend assistance in some aspects and create economic partnerships here which will help strengthen our region."

Newman told a large gathering at the Siniktarvik Hotel in Rankin Inlet he was very pleased to have an opportunity to visit the different Keewatin municipalities and talk face to face with the municipal leaders while enjoying truly wonderful hospitality.

"There is great opportunity to expand and improve upon existing commerce or trade between our two regions now and we look forward to doing exactly that," said Newman. "The hospitality lent us during our visit has been wonderful and we've been very impressed with what the region and its people have to offer."

Courtney says some of the highlights of the trip included preliminary business discussions in both Whale Cove and Coral Harbour, adding it was a positive experience for the delegates to see the majority of the Keewatin Region, rather than having everything centred in Rankin Inlet.

"The delegates met with Kivalliq Land and Sea representatives in Whale Cove in regards to the kelp industry there and both parties seemed to be very happy with their talks and interested in developing a partnership in that area in the long-term, which would lead to more local jobs.

"The same can be said for preliminary discussions held in Coral Harbour concerning their annual caribou harvest and, I understand, they were very positive as well. It's my understanding we could see something develop with Coral Harbour exporting some caribou meat into Manitoba and that would also create more local jobs in that municipality."