Ottawa, ON – The Hon. Pierre Poilievre, Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada and the Official Opposition, released the following statement on International Inuit Day: 

“For thousands of years, Inuit have inhabited one of the harshest environments on the planet. Among the land, snow, sea and ice, the Inuit have not only survived, they have thrived, while overcoming incredible obstacles. 

“Living off the land and waters, Inuit have been able to obtain food, clothing and shelter from the abundant natural resources of the Arctic by faithfully relying on the skills, the knowledge and the wisdom of their ancestors, passed down over centuries. By harnessing this knowledge, generations of Inuit have been able to provide for their families and, through sharing, assist in the growth of their communities. 

“Today, the Inuit continue to carry this legacy forward, preserving the traditional lifestyle and values that have sustained them, even in times of hardship. In the face of wrongs inflicted by past governments, the Inuit have shown resilience and stayed true to their way of life while adapting to modern-day technologies. 

“On International Inuit Day, we celebrate this incredible history and the time-honoured practices that have allowed Inuit to build their lives in freedom. Today, Conservatives renew their commitment to uphold this freedom for all Indigenous communities while honouring the shared Inuit social values across Inuit Nunangat. 

“We will always ensure that Inuit traditional way of life is respected and that Inuit are free to make their own decisions so they can bring home prosperity for their land and their people. Happy International Inuit Day.”