Aglukkaq blasts Liberals' seal hunt stance

Nunavut Conservative candidate Leona Aglukkaq is accusing the Liberals of not supporting Canada's commercial seal hunt, based on statements by at least two of that party's members.

Opposition to the controversialhunt including the European Union'simport ban on seal products has been a contentious issue in Nunavut, where Inuit have long harvested seals for food and pelts.

Aglukkaq, who is seeking re-election in the northern riding, told CBC News on Thursday that the Conservative government has defended the seal hunt by fighting the EU trade ban, as well as by signing atrade agreement with ChinainJanuary to export seal meat, oil and other products to that country.

"Prime Minister [Stephen Harper] has said we support Canadian sealers, unlike the Liberal Party," she said.

Liberal MP, senator oppose hunt

WhileLiberal Leader Michael Ignatieff has expressed support for Canada's seal hunt, Aglukkaq said Nunavut Liberal candidate Paul Okalik should be concerned and embarrassed that other members of his party are condemning the hunt.

Aglukkaq pointed to a letter dated March 16 byB.C. Liberal Hedy Fry, in which the longtime MP denounced the commercial seal hunt while supporting a limited traditional hunt.

Aglukkaq also noted that a Liberal senator, Mac Harb, hastried to introduce a billcalling for a ban on the commercial seal hunt. Harb's attempt in 2009 fell apart when none of his fellow senators would support the motion.

"His party does not support the seal hunt," Aglukkaq said, referring to Okalik and the Liberals.

"His party does not support abolishing the gun registry, which is a huge barrier to many Inuit hunters," she added.

Ignatieff released a statement earlier in the campaign sayingthe Liberal Party remains "steadfast in its support for Canadas seal hunt."

Canada argues that its annual seal hunt is conducted humanely. The federal government is challenging the European Union's trade ban before aWorld Trade Organization dispute panel.

Okalik notes narwhal tusk ban

Meanwhile, Okalik blasted the Conservatives on Wednesdayfor allowing the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans toban the international export of narwhal tusksharvested by many Nunavut whalers.

DFO officials have said they imposed restrictions on the export of narwhal tusks from Iqaluit and many other Nunavut communities because narwhal in those areas are being overharvested.

But Inuit groups have argued that they were not consulted by the federal government before the ban was put in place.

They also weren't consulted beforea ban was imposed on the export of polar bear hides from Nunavut's Baffin Bay region, Okalik said.

Okalik, a former premier of Nunavut, said Inuit there have been forced to defend their land-claim rights in court, citing the Qikiqtani Inuit Association's courtdispute with the federal government over seismic testing in Lancaster Sound.

"Despite all their concerns, the Conservative government continued on trying to impose seismic testing along the Lancaster Sound area," Okalik said.

Aglukkaq said she is committed to working on getting those bans lifted and dealing with other issues Nunavummiut may have.

In August, the Nunavut Court of Justice ordered Natural Resources Canadanot to carry out seismic testsaimed at mapping the Lancaster Sound area for potential oil and gas resources.

Inuit from five communities in the area opposed the government's plan to send sound blasts through the water, arguing that the sound could adversely affect whales, polar bears and other marine life and change their migration patterns.