Stephen Harper heading to Whitehorse for Northern tour

Prime Minister Stephen Harper is due to arrive in Whitehorse today for his annual Northern tour, with stops also planned this weekfor the Northwest Territories, Nunavut and Northern Quebec.

Harper, whose visit to the North will last until Friday, will deliver remarks at 4:30 p.m. PT Sunday at a barbecue event in Yukon.

He'll be joined by several members of his cabinet, and will also be greeted by Senator Daniel Lang and Ryan Leef, the member of Parliament for Yukon.

The federal ministers accompanyingthe prime ministerinclude:

• Environment Minister Leona Aglukkaq, who is also the MP for Nunavutand the Minister for the Arctic Council.
• Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver.
• Bernard Valcourt, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development.

This tour marks Harper's eighth trip to the North as prime minister, and is viewed as an important political gesture for the Conservatives as far as communicating their interest in the region.

An itinerary released by the Prime Minister's Office indicates Harper will be making an announcement in the Whitehorse area on Monday.

On Tuesday, he'll be a guest at a Conservative Party luncheon at the Hay River Golf Club in the Northwest Territories.

Other communities on his itinerary include Gjoa Haven and Rankin Inlet in Nunavut. He is scheduled to make an announcement in Nunavik.