Harper visits Baffin Island's Pangnirtung

Prime Minister Stephen Harper continued his Arctic tour Thursday morningwith a visit tothe Baffin Island community of Pangnirtung, Nunavut,where hereannounced $17 millionearmarked for construction of a small-craft harbour there.

The federal government had initially allocated $8 million for the harbour last year. An additional $17 million was announced in the latest federal budget in January.

Speakingin the remote community of 1,325, Harper said the harbour will give localfishermen a modern and reliable base of operations.

"Here in Pangirtung, and indeed across the vast expanse of our North, it is the future upon which we are focused by enhancing opportunities for northern communtiies like this one. We are also strengthening Canada's sovereignty," he said.

"In doing so, we are living up to our committment and our responsibility to preserve and protect our Arctic to ensure that this rugged and beautiful place will be a strong and vibrant part of our country for generations to come."

Construction of the harbourwill be carried out in two phases, with preliminary work for the first phase to get underway early next month. Most of that work will be contracted out to the Hamlet of Pangnirtung.

En route to Yellowknife

Harper also said the federal government will provide scientific research and resource management support to Nunavut's emerging offshore fishery.

Harper is en route to Yellowknife, wherehe will make an announcement there late Thursday afternoon. He will be in Whitehorse on Friday.

On Wednesday,Harper was on a navy ship in Frobisher Bay near Iqaluit to observe Operation Nanook, the Canadian Forces' annual sovereignty exercise in the eastern Arctic.

His participation in the exercise was part of a five-day visit to the three northern territories that began on Monday.

During the tour, which has includedseveral federal cabinet ministers, the government has made a series of announcements related to the military and economic development.

On Tuesday,Harper announced the headquarters for the new Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency will be located in Iqaluit. CanNor, the stand-alone regional economic development agency in Canada's North, will deliver federal funding for economic development, advocacy and research.