PM Harper to visit North next week

Prime Minister Stephen Harper will make his annual visit to the North Aug. 18-23, making stops in Yukon, the Northwest Territories, Nunavut and Northern Quebec.

When he gets off his plane in Whitehorse on Sunday, local girl guides will be among the delegation meeting him.

"I'm hoping we'll be able to say at least hi and shake a hand," said Kerri Scholz, Yukon Area Commissioner for Girl Guides of Canada.

"It will be kind of nice and the girls can all say hi and meet him. Maybe he'll say a few words, I'm not sure."

Pat McInroy, president of the local Conservative association, said it's always exciting to have Harper in the territory and noted this will be Harper's eighth trip to Yukon.

"He likes the North and he likes to see the North grow and that's what we're all about," he said.

"We're just trying to keep our families nice and healthy, business economy, everything going well and I think he's definitely the right person to do that job."

Harper will take in a Conservative party fundraising barbecue late Sunday afternoon at a ranch on the Mayo Road.

The itinerary, released by the Prime Minister's Office, also indicates he'll be making an announcementin the Whitehorse areaon Monday.

Harper is scheduled toattend a Conservative party luncheon Aug. 20 at the Hay River Golf Club.

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

Harper will be accompanied by Nunavut MP Leona Aglukkaq, Yukon MP Ryan Leef, Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Minister Bernard Valcourt, and Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver.