Feature Interview: What Prime Minister’s northern tours tell us about Canada’s shifting Arctic priorities
![Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his wife, Laureen, take a closer look at an iceberg in a Zodiac inflatable boat Sunday west of Pond Inlet on Eclipse Sound. Harper wrapped up his annual trip to Canada's North this week. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)](https://www.rcinet.ca/eye-on-the-arctic/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2014/08/harper-north.jpg)
Canada’s prime minster Stephen Harper wrapped up a six-day tour to the country’s Far North earlier this week.
![Joël Plouffe](https://www.rcinet.ca/eye-on-the-arctic/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2014/08/Plouffe_J-150x150.png)
Marked with announcements, photo opportunities and speeches lauding Canada’s Arctic stature and know-how, Harper’s summer trips to the Arctic have become somewhat of an annual tradition.
- But how much of substance comes out of these trips?
- How much is about building Canada’s ‘Arctic brand’ both at home and abroad?
- What do these trips tell us about the government’s shifting Arctic priorities?
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: Canada’s Arctic Council leadership gets mixed reviews, Eye on the Arctic
Finland: Ex-President Ahtisaari calls on Finland to join NATO with Sweden, Yle News
Greenland: Greenland urged to work with Arctic Council, CBC News
Iceland: Many questions, but few answers as Arctic conference gets underway in Iceland, Alaska Dispatch
Norway: Permanent Arctic Council Secretariat opens in Tromso, strengthening Norway’s position in Arctic, Blog by Mia Bennett
Sweden: Feature Interview: Sweden wraps up Arctic Council, Radio Sweden
Russia: Blog – Russia puts countries on edge in the Arctic, Cryopolitics
United States: New U.S. Arctic emissary gets plenty of ideas from Alaskans for Arctic Council priorities, Alaska Dispatch