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QAMANITTUAQ/BAKER LAKE
The executive director of the Kivalliq Mine Training Society has voiced disappointment with Prime Minister Stephen Harper's recent visit to Baker Lake, after anticipating an announcement of renewed funding for the organization.

Meadowbank mine employees look on as Prime Minister Stephen Harper speaks during the PM's visit to the mine on Aug. 24. - photo courtesy of Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd.

Harper toured Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd.'s Meadowbank gold mine Wednesday, but left the region with no mention of funding for the mine training society, as federal funding for the organization is set to run out in 2012.

"I am extremely disappointed that the prime minister of Canada did not announce any federal funds to continue mine training in Nunavut, during his visit to Baker Lake," Kivalliq Mine Training Society executive director Kevin Bussey said in a written statement.

After leaving Baker Lake, the prime minister's office praised the "highly successful" Meadowbank gold mine, and announced funding for the establishment of an Iqaluit office for the NWT and Nunavut Chamber of Mines, which has been operating since April.

"His announcement of support for the Iqaluit office of (the chamber of mines) is lip service only for an industry in dire need of training dollars," Bussey said. "The Prime Minister’s announcement today is merely a regurgitation of old money."

The Prime Minister's office billed the tour as an opportunity for Harper to meet with premiers, visit initiatives that are benefiting Northerners, and "make several announcements that will further contribute to the economic and social development of Canada's North."

Bussey said Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency, who accompanied Harper on his sixth annual tour of the North last week, "personally supported" the continuation of training under the Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnership during the recent federal election campaign.

The mine training society was created last year by the Government of Nunavut, the Kivalliq Inuit Association, and Agnico-Eagle, to equip Nunavummiut with the skills required to work at a variety of mines in the region.

Since its inception, it has helped train and place into employment 350 Inuit and there are currently more than 600 candidates on the waiting list for training, Bussey said, "but no training dollars to assist them."

Bussey called services the society provides under the aboriginal skills program "critical in the North."

"Unfortunately the prime minister has missed the point in understanding training in the North," he said.

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