INUVIK - One priority - infrastructure - is on the minds of Delta residents as Prime Minister Stephen Harper is scheduled to visit the region today, Aug. 26, as part of his Arctic tour.

After embarking on his tour from Churchill, Man., and getting delayed there because of stormy weather earlier this week, Harper promised a year-round High Arctic research station in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut, and was scheduled to travel to Resolute, Inuvik and Tuktoyaktuk this week before carrying on to Whitehorse and then back to Ottawa.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper zipped up his jacket against the cold when he arrived in Tuktoyaktuk, followed by then-Environment Minister John Baird, during a previous visit to the community in August 2008. - NNSL file photo

Tuktoyaktuk Mayor Merven Gruben said earlier this week he still didn't know what Harper planned to announce in Tuk, but heard rumours that the prime minister would make a statement about the National Programme of Action involving oceans protection. Gruben voiced the wishes of countless other residents for some type of federal commitment to the planned all-weather road that could eventually link NWT communities from Tuk to Yellowknife. The first step, Gruben said, is getting enough funding to finish the 160-km job from Tuk to Inuvik, of which 20 km is complete.

"It would be really nice if we could get that or even, you know, some money towards the continuation of what we're doing right now," he said. "It would work out really well if we get the road done and by the time we're done that, the pipeline will be started - that's kind of what we're hoping. I'm not going to hold my breath though, but you never know."

Inuvik resident and Aboriginal Pipeline Group chairman Fred Carmichael said regional priorities are clear.

"There's two things: the pipeline and the highway - because we have no other economic opportunities here. There's no mining, there's no other industry in this area, so what have we got to provide jobs and business opportunities for our people?" Carmichael said. "We gave people the hope that this pipeline was going (to happen) so 'get ready.' We did training programs and the whole nine yards and here we are, eight years later, and people are wondering if it's going to happen. People are losing their businesses," he continued.

"Industry and government has to bear some of that responsibility by saying, 'well, we've built a false hope.' Even if it's just a statement from the prime minister saying they're still backing the pipeline and the highway - you know, make some commitment - because that's the only two real economic opportunities for the people of this area."

Though Harper has made Northern pilgrimages for the last two summers to demonstrate Canada's commitment to Arctic sovereignty and its federal Northern Strategy, some Northerners believe his efforts mean nothing more than a photo opportunity outside of Ottawa. Many Tuk residents were disappointed in August 2008 when the prime minister visited briefly to announce Arctic claim-strengthening changes to Canada's marine law, rather than to announce funding for the deep sea port and roads they still want to make reality.

It's worse for communities that federal politicians don't visit, said Charlie Furlong, president of Ehdiitat Gwich'in Council in Aklavik.

"It's just another whirlwind visit as far as I'm concerned. It's no good to communities like mine," Furlong said. "It's not going to do any good to outlying communities that are having a lot of problems with housing, drugs and alcohol - all that kind of stuff.

"What's his plan for this area? There's no work going on, no exploration. There's nothing and people are having a hard time. If he's not going to make any announcement that's going to create jobs, then it's a waste of taxpayers' money as far as I'm concerned."

Even if the prime minister's trip generates more photos than infrastructure, Tuk mayor Gruben was still looking on the bright side.

"It doesn't matter as long as it gets us on the map - more exposure for Tuk is good," he said.

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