Minister Aglukkaq Concludes Successful Arctic Council Ministerial Meeting, Marking End of Canada's Chairmanship

News Release

April 24, 2015 - Iqaluit, Nunavut - Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada

The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of the Environment, Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency and Minister for the Arctic Council, joined by the Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today concluded the ninth Ministerial Meeting of the Arctic Council in Iqaluit, Nunavut. This meeting marks the end of Canada’s Arctic Council chairmanship (2013-2015) and the start of the United States’ chairmanship (2015-2017).

During the meeting, ministers of the eight Arctic states, including Minister Nicholson, adopted the Iqaluit Declaration 2015, underscoring the achievements of the Council under Canada’s chairmanship and setting the stage for the incoming U.S. chairmanship

Quick Facts

The Ottawa Declaration established the Arctic Council in 1996. Its first ministerial meeting was held in Iqaluit in 1998, at the end of Canada’s first chairmanship. Seventeen years later, Canada again hosted Arctic Council ministers and permanent participants in Iqaluit.
Canada’s chairmanship theme, Development for the People of the North, was developed after Minister Aglukkaq toured Canada’s territories in 2012 and consulted directly with Northerners to ensure that their input was reflected in Canada’s priorities at the Arctic Council. Canada’s focus in the North remains its Arctic sovereignty and the development of Northern communities—two priorities that benefit all Canadians.
A key priority during Canada’s chairmanship was to promote and incorporate traditional knowledge more effectively into the Council’s ongoing work. This knowledge, which has helped Indigenous peoples survive for millennia, can serve in the development of better, more representative policies for the North.
The creation of the Arctic Economic Council (AEC), an independent body made up of business representatives, was a key priority during Canada’s chairmanship. The AEC is facilitating Arctic-to-Arctic business opportunities, trade and investment in the North, which will ultimately benefit Northern families, communities and all Canadians.
Under Canada’s chairmanship, the Arctic Council also worked with Indigenous communities and health professionals to identify successful approaches that can be shared across the region to improve mental wellness and resiliency. Results of this project were shared at the Circumpolar Mental Wellness Symposium, hosted in Iqaluit in March 2015.
The Arctic Council has also advanced important environmental priorities for the North, including developing a framework to reduce black carbon and methane emissions and a new action plan to enhance oil pollution prevention.
During Canada’s chairmanship, 35 Council meetings took place in the Canadian North to showcase Canada’s vibrant Arctic region.
The Arctic Council is the leading body for international cooperation in the region and promotes the economic, social and environmental aspects of Northern sustainable development.
The Council is made up of the eight Arctic states—Canada (outgoing chair), Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden and the United States (incoming chair)—and six Permanent Participant organizations representing the Indigenous peoples of the Arctic.

Quotes

“Over the past two years, Canada has put Northerners first and championed a number of initiatives that will directly benefit Northern families. We are proud of our accomplishments as chair of the Arctic Council, and I am confident that they will have a positive impact on the Arctic and the people who live there.”

- Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of the Environment, Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency and Minister for the Arctic Council

“While our chairmanship has come to an end, Canada remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting the North. We are proud of our accomplishments as chair of the Arctic Council and will continue working with our partners to stand up for Northern interests and ensure economic development in the region.”

- Rob Nicholson, Minister of Foreign Affairs

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Minister Aglukkaq Concludes Successful Arctic Council Ministerial Meeting, Marking End of Canada's Chairmanship

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