Threat to Arctic Council

OTTAWA -- The Green Party of Canada is very concerned by the Harper government's apparent end run around the Arctic Council.  Canada's government is seemingly trying to form a new quasi-organization by only inviting five of the member states of the Arctic Council to high level meetings (Canada, the United States, Russia, Norway and Denmark), while leaving out Sweden, Finland and Iceland.  "The Arctic Council is an esteemed institution and should be respected," said Green Leader Elizabeth May.  "And in an additional insult, indigenous groups have also been left off the guest list."

The contentious meeting is scheduled for March 29, in Chelsea, Que., just before the start of the GatineauG8 foreign ministers meeting.

The Arctic Council was created in 1996 with the goal of improving cooperation amongst Arctic states and indigenous populations.

"The government owes these allies an adequate explanation, an apology, and an invitation to this meeting and any future meetings," said May.

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Debra Eindiguer
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C: 613.240.8921
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