January 17, 2011

Ottawa, (Ontario) - Today the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Member of Parliament for Nunavut, Regional Minister for the North and Federal Minister of Health, returns to Ottawa following an eventful week at home in Nunavut.

Minister Aglukkaq traveled to Rankin Inlet, Taloyoak, Kugaaruk, Sanikiluaq, and Iqaluit.  She visited local health centres and schools, met with local Mayors and Hamlet councils, and appeared on local radio stations to hear from her constituents.

The focus of the hamlet council meetings conducted in each community was to gain insight into local priorities through pre-budget consultations.  "This past week I had the opportunity to meet with members of various communities to discuss priorities and hear their perspectives on a variety of different issues," Aglukkaq said.

While in Nunavut, the Minister made a number of significant announcements. 

• On Wednesday, January 12, Minister Aglukkaq commended the signing of an agreement between Canada and China regarding the export of Canadian seal meat and oil, set to take effect immediately.
  For more information, please visit:
  http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/media/npress-communique/2011/hq-ac01-eng.htm
• On Thursday, January 13, Minister Aglukkaq was joined by the Government of Nunavut Minister of Health and Social Services, Tagak Curley, and President of
  NTI, Cathy Towtongie to announce $800,000 of federal funding for an important new initiative called “Taima TB” or “Stop TB”.
  For more information, please visit:
  http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/media/nr-rp/2011/2011_0113-eng.php
• On Friday, January 14, Minister Aglukkaq on behalf of the Honourable John Duncan, Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor), announced an investment of over $900,000 for skills training and capacity building spanning the three northern territories.
  For more information, please visit:
  http://www.north.gc.ca/mr/nr/2011/cannor-10-061nr-eng.asp

Minister Aglukkaq was pleased to meet the new Mayor of Iqaluit, Madeleine Redfern and engage in discussions on local priorities moving forward. In addition, Minister Aglukkaq held meetings with newly-elected Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated president Cathy Towtongie, vice-president Jack Anawak, Premier Eva Aariak, Minister Tagak Curley, the President and Vice President of the Baffin Regional Chamber of Commerce, George Qulaut of Qikiqtaaluk Corporation, and Qikiqtani Inuit Association president, Okalik Eegeesiak.

"Many of my meetings focused on high-priority items such as housing, health, and infrastructure. I also took the opportunity to discuss the Nutrition North Canada program and provide additional information on a number of items. I encouraged my constituents to ‘Nunavutize’ the program by engaging the Nutrition North Canada Advisory Committee," Aglukkaq said. 

In Ottawa today, Minister Aglukkaq returns to her Cabinet duties and Constituency work before Parliament resumes on January 31st.