PANGNIRTUNG, Nunavut - Stephen Harper says the social and development needs of Canada's Arctic are not being overshadowed by his government's military emphasis in the region.
The prime minister says he recognizes there are acute problems in the North and they are being addressed by community and infrastructure investments that are "without precedent."
His comments today came as he announced $17 million to accelerate the construction of a harbour in Pangnirtung, Nunavut -- a remote fishing hamlet on eastern Baffin Island.
Communities throughout the territory face a variety of social concerns, from high unemployment to homelessness.
Iqaluit -- the territorial capital -- and other communities also face chronic power interruptions.
Harper dismissed some of the more scathing criticism as carping by Opposition politicians who did nothing for the North while they were in office.
