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TUKTOYAKTUK AND INUVIK - Delta residents gave Prime Minister Stephen Harper a warm welcome to the North, but many are expressing disappointment with his announcements.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper zips up his jacket against the cold while arriving in Tuktoyaktuk, followed by Environment Minister John Baird. - Brodie Thomas/NNSL photo

Before his arrival on Tuesday evening in Inuvik there was open speculation that Harper was coming to announce new infrastructure for Delta comminutes.

Tuktoyaktuk mayor Merven Gruben said he was hoping for a road or possibly a deep-water port for Tuk, but admitted he was still in the dark about the announcement at that time.

On Wednesday morning the hopes of many were dashed when Harper stood in front of a coast guard vessel on the outskirts of Tuktoyaktuk and announced two changes to marine law that will strengthen Canada's claim to Arctic waters.

Harper said the Conservative government will be tabling a bill that will extend the Arctic Waters Pollution Prevention Act from 100 to 200 nautical miles.

The government will also make it mandatory for vessels travelling in Canadian Arctic waters to register with NORDREG.

The voluntary registry helps the Canadian Coast Guard monitor traffic in Arctic waters.

By making registration mandatory, the federal government could presumably charge vessels found in Arctic waters without Canadian permission.

The United States government does not currently recognize Canada's claim to the recently opened Northwest Passage.

While the announcement was yet another small step toward Canada's claim to the North, residents of Tuktoyaktuk were disappointed that the announcement did not include any infrastructure for their community.

Few wanted to go on the record with their disappointment, but Tuk resident Dolly Felix spoke openly about the letdown.

"The rumours were that he was supposed to announce a deep sea port but I would rather see a road. Have you seen the prices at the Northern store? When they have to fly in perishables a litre of milk goes for $20," said Felix.

When asked by News/North when the people of Tuktoyaktuk might see some improvements to infrastructure, Harper said he believed such projects would arise as a by-product of the Mackenzie Gas Project.

"Obviously if and when - but I hope when - we get (the pipeline) project under way I think there will be a whole series of infrastructure possibilities that will open up," said Harper.

Harper travelled on to Dawson City before returning to spend a quiet Wednesday night in Inuvik out of the public eye.

On Thursday morning Harper and his entire cabinet appeared at Jim Koe Park in Inuvik to formally announce the creation of a new polar icebreaker to be named after former Prime Minister John Diefenbaker.

With the Diefenbaker memorial as a backdrop, Harper spoke about Diefenbaker's commitment to building infrastructure in the North, and talked about his Roads to Resources program that helped fund the Dempster Highway. The audience of about 100 broke into applause at the mention of the road.

After his announcement, Harper posed for pictures with Inuvik residents while Northern leaders chatted with members of the federal cabinet.

Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami president Mary Simon said the announcement of an icebreaker was good, but she would have preferred more social spending.

"In our meeting with the prime minister yesterday we told him we're not opposed to these types of announcements, but we want him to announce more programs for the people and communities also," said Simon.

She cited the need for roads and better education to enable Northerners to take part in the growing economy that Harper is expecting to arise with the pipeline.

Inuvik Mayor Derek Lindsay was more blunt in his assessment of Harper's announcement, saying he didn't expect to see the icebreaker parked at Inuvik's dock.

During his Thursday morning speech, Harper said he hoped to return to the North with Conservative candidate Brendan Bell at his side next time. Lindsay took this as a hint to voters.

"As the prime minister alluded to, I don't think we'll be getting any real federal commitments until we see a change in government status here," said Lindsay.

Asked if he thought that was fair, Lindsay replied: "No, but that's politics."