Poilievre's 'Santa Claus' quip trivialized Inuit presence in Arctic, says national Inuit leader

The leader of the national organization representing Inuit says the Conservative leader trivialized Inuit and everyone who lives in the Arctic with a "Santa Claus" social media quip criticizing Ottawa's plans to appoint an Arctic ambassador.

In a post published online over the weekend, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre questioned the usefulness of the diplomatic post.

"Arctic ambassador? To do diplomacy with who? Santa Claus🎅?" Poilievre posted.

Natan Obed, president of the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK), called Poilievre's post a glib comment that suggests a lack of understanding.

"It implies there is an empty space that isn't filled by people and a necessity for diplomacy with a myriad of partners," Obed said.

The Conservative government under Stephen Harper ended the role of Arctic ambassador in 2006. Under a new Arctic foreign policy co-developed with Inuit leaders, including Obed, the federal government is planning to bring the diplomatic position back.

It's not clear if Poilievre would keep the revived post or proceed with the new policy's plans to open consulates in Nuuk, Greenland and Anchorage, Alaska.

"The Liberals have failed to defend Canada's Arctic for nine years, and now they think the Russians and Chinese are going to be afraid to send submarines and spy balloons because we've sent another bureaucrat up to sit in an office in the territories," Poilievre said in his weekend post.

Indigenous Services Minister Patty Hajdu said Poilievre's comment is the product of ignorance.

"The Arctic has always had Inuit and it's just a complete and blatant disregard of the seriousness of the situation that Inuit and other First Nations are feeling in the north around a change in climate, increasing access to the Arctic and, of course, foreign activity that I think Inuit are first to see," Hajdu said before a cabinet meeting on Tuesday.

"He should maybe speak to the leader of the ITK and maybe he'll have a deeper understanding."

WATCH | Indigenous services minister says Conservatives need to educate themselves

Indigenous services minister says Conservatives need to educate themselves

2 days ago

Duration 0:39

Indigenous Services Minister Patty Hajdu reacts to a post Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre published last weekend implying that Canada's new Arctic ambassador will do diplomacy with Santa Claus.

Obed said diplomacy in the Arctic does matter and Canada needs to do a better job at it.

"Having guns and bombs and icebreakers is not really the only way in which we are going to stay safe as a country," he said.

"The Conservative leader, through that comment, doesn't seem to appreciate the importance of diplomacy with other Arctic states, or those who have an interest in the Canadian Arctic. And that is a very concerning statement to have, especially for somebody who very recently was in Iqaluit and spent time with Inuit."

Obed said there's lot happening in the Arctic diplomatic space.

The U.S. recently appointed Alaskan Michael Sfraga as ambassador-at-large for Arctic affairs. Greenland plans to open a consulate in Ottawa within the next five years. The Embassy of Denmark in Canada regularly speaks to ITK and the Inuit Circumpolar Council, said Obed.

He said he hopes the new diplomatic appointment will work with Canada's allies to stop foreign interference and prevent military aggression or posturing in the region.

Conservatives double down

In a statement issued to CBC News, Conservative northern affairs and Arctic sovereignty critic Bob Zimmer doubled down on criticism of the Liberal government and blamed the NDP for propping it up.

"Opening foreign offices and appointing a new bureaucrat is not going to fix our military or bring economic development and opportunity to people who are suffering under the NDP-Liberals' disastrous policies," Zimmer said. 

"Common sense Conservatives will rebuild our military, so they have the capability to operate in the far North and safeguard our Arctic sovereignty."

Zimmer accused Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of not taking national security seriously, especially given the Russian presence in the Arctic, and of not meeting NORAD commitments. 

Obed said the ITK will reach out to the Conservative Party for further discussion.

He said he remains ready to work with all parties.

"But members of Parliament need to respect the interests in the Canadian Arctic, and especially Inuit," Obed said.