Back in November when it was announced that the G7 finance Minister's would be meeting in Iqaluit in February, it really struck me as perfect, I still think so.
First I wondered if the finance Ministers really knew just how far up north they were going to be.
Imagine. They will have 4 hours from Montreal, of nothing but Canadian wilderness to see. It might give them a whole new prospective on just how big, open, empty and wild Canada actually is. I hope they take note of the massive carbon sinks we have in the trillions of trees that suck up CO2. As they leave the planes, they will get their first experience of cold, crystal clear, non-polluted Arctic air. It appears that they will be lucky because it's only going to be -10C and sunny, perfect weather for a dog sled ride!
They also get to see my favorite lights in the world:
I suspect they will also get to sample seal meat, without any protesters around. It should be an excellent experience for the Minister's and their staff. I hope they enjoy a taste of Arctic Canada and come to understand why global warming is not high on our agenda.
Dog-sledding, seal meat on G-7 agenda in Iqaluit
Of course you get the typical protesters whining because they have nowhere to stay....I think that was the whole idea!
The first of several hundred expected guests began arriving in Iqaluit this week, including the various G7 delegations and support staff as well as about 100 accredited journalists from around the world.
But some non-governmental organizations say they are being told not to travel to Iqaluit for the G7 gathering, mainly because the city's hotel rooms are fully booked.
"We've been discouraged to come up to Iqaluit because of the nature of the location," said Ken Georgetti, president of the Canadian Labour Congress.
Georgetti would not say who discouraged his organization to come north, but he cited the lack of accommodation as a primary reason.
At the Navigator Inn, staffer Mike Praught said all 44 rooms are booked. People trying to make last-minute bookings are being told there is no vacancy until Feb. 9, he said.
"We just have to let them know that we're completely full and that everywhere in town has been booked up for probably a month now," Praught said.
Aglukkaq said nobody has been told not to attend the G7 meeting, but added that it's been clear that a lot of people will be converging on the Nunavut capital.
"I think it has a lot to do [strictly] with the capacity of the community to have hotels and so on," she said.
The community appears to be ready to welcome the visitors, and show them some of their unique culture, maybe the Minister's will better understand the importance of the seal hunt for northern Canadians.
Motorcades will have the right of way in high-traffic areas such as the Four Corners intersection while access to parts of some public buildings will be restricted at certain times, the RCMP said.
Police are not expecting large-scale demonstrations or disruptions like the ones that have erupted during similar international summits, Collins said.
Now that is too funny...what they have 7000 people and one road!
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But elsewhere in Iqaluit, businesses are excitedly preparing for the international visitors.
Lori Idlout, who owns a fine arts studio, said she has already been approached by government officials who said her studio will get a visit from G7 representatives.
"We've worked more closely with artists from across Nunavut … increasing our selection for the influx of … [visitors] that we'll be expecting," she said.
Organizers with Nunavut's Alianait arts festival say they are planning to put on a show during the G7 meetings to promote their summer festival.
I predict that the Minister's will have a wonderful experience free of protesters. Enjoy a very important part of Canada!
