Premier Leading Delegation to Ottawa to Promote Northern Priorities and Culture

WHITEHORSE, YUKON--(Marketwired - Jan. 30, 2014) - Yukon Premier Darrell Pasloski will lead a delegation of ministers to Ottawa next week to host Yukon Days and meet with federal counterparts to discuss Yukon issues.

"Meeting with federal counterparts during Yukon Days coincides well with Ottawa's Winterlude festival and is a perfect occasion to highlight Yukon's interests as well as showcase Yukon's artistic talent," Pasloski said. "Our message is that developing Yukon's future is not only good for Yukon but also good for Canada."

The premier's delegation involves ministers Elaine Taylor, Scott Kent, Wade Istchenko and Brad Cathers. Ministerial meetings will focus on training and skills development, infrastructure, energy, resource development, regulatory reform and support for Canada's role as Arctic Council chair. Premier Pasloski also helped to arrange meetings for Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation Chief Joe Linklater and Kwanlin Dün First Nation Chief Rick O'Brien with federal ministers.

As part of Winterlude, Yukon's creative snow carving artistry will be featured at Jacques Cartier Park. The 2014 Team Yukon-Adam Green, Cindy Klippenstein and Bill Oster-will create a design to mark the 50^th anniversary of the Yukon Sourdough Rendezvous festival.

This year's festival also involves a musical performance at the Snowflake Stage by Abacus, a trio of bilingual voices with Hélène Beaulieu, Andrea McColeman and Micah Smith.

"The cultural focus of the trip highlights our diverse cultural fabric and celebrates our own longstanding winter festival, Yukon Sourdough Rendezvous," Pasloski added.

This is the sixth year of Yukon Days, a three-day event held during the annual Winterlude festival in Ottawa, which runs from January 31 to February 17. This year, Yukon Days takes place February 1 to 4.

Learn more

Yukon Days 2014, performers and artists: www.gov.yk.ca/yukondays.html

Winterlude festivities: www.winterlude.gc.ca