Photo: Virginia Mearns, right, poses with Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami President Natan Obed and Governor General Mary Simon. Mearns has been named Canada’s new Arctic ambassador / Photo courtesy of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami
By William Koblensky Varela
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Nunavut News
Canada’s Arctic ambassador, a role long left vacant, was named on July 24 as Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that Iqaluit’s Virginia Mearns will take over the position.
Mearns, who had been serving as the Qikiqtani Inuit Association’s (QIA’s) senior director of Inuit relations, follows now-Governor General Mary Simon as only the second person to assume the title.
“Virginia’s appointment is a milestone achievement — not only for QIA and Nunavut but for all Inuit and Canadians,” a press release from the QIA stated.
Mearns previously worked as an associate deputy minister at the Government of Nunavut.
She was also the assistant director of Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated before her time in government.
Carney made the announcement during a meeting with Inuit leadership in Inuvik. The federal government first announced its intention to revive the Arctic and circumpolar ambassador role in December 2024. The position was cut in 2006 as a cost-saving measure after Simon had carried out the duties.
The federal announcement also promised to open consulates in Greenland and Alaska.
“Ambassador Mearns will advance Canada’s polar interests in multilateral forums, engage with counterparts in Arctic and non-Arctic states, and serve as a representative in our diplomatic corps,” Minister of Foreign Affairs Anita Anand said in a July 24 press release.
Mearns will officially begin serving in her new role on Sept. 15.