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September 5, 2008
Northern leaders cozy up to Stephen Harper
“He’s got his head around some fundamental Inuit issues”
CHRIS WINDEYER
Stephen Harper, the prime minister, appears to have made some friends during repeated visits to the North.
Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. and Paul Okalik, the premier, all had kind words for Harper after the prime minister wrapped a northern visit with an appearance in Inuvik last week.
There, Harper met the three northern premiers, a gathering which Okalik described in an interview as cordial.
"He [Harper] took note of all our suggestions. He's looking for ideas," he said.
Paul Okalik, the premier, and Stephen Harper, the prime minister, share a table in Inuvik last week. The three northern premiers met Harper to talk to him about their demands, which in Nunavut’s case means more more money for education and infrastructure, and a devolution agreement. (PHOTO COURTESY OF MARIA O’HEARN)
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Qiniq network to get $21.6 million upgrade
“Bandwidth like water in desert”
JIM BELL
The many Nunavummiut who use the Qiniq wireless internet service will see the gradual introduction of better speeds and better services, thanks to a federal government contribution worth up to $21.6 million between now and 2013.
"It's an excellent, excellent investment and we will certainly be able to meet the growing demand on the Qiniq network for the basic services that people are expecting," said Lorraine Thomas, secretary-treasurer of the Nunavut Broadband Development Corp., which runs Qiniq through a system of community-based service providers.
The money, announced Aug. 29 in Yellowknife by Diane Ablonczy, the secretary of state for tourism and small business, will help the broadband corporation pay for upgraded satellite connections, more satellite capacity and better ways of using and doling out bandwidth.
In Nunavut, Thomas said the broadband corporation will draw down on those funds to find ways of "playing catch-up."
This time, he’ll run. Nunavut Premier Paul Okalik jumps rope during Toonik Tyme games in front of Nakasuk School in 2007. Okalik confirmed last week that he’ll seek a third term as MLA for Iqaluit West in the Oct. 27 territorial election. (FILE PHOTO)
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