The first meeting of senior Arctic officials under Canada's chairmanship of the Arctic Council wrapped up Wednesday afternoon in Whitehorse.

Patrick Borbey, the chair of the senior officials, told reporters the meetings were productive, citing four project approvals.

The projects address mental wellness among northern people, gender equality, cancer amongst circumpolar people, and climate change adaptation.

The Yukon government, Borbey noted, is a partner in the climate change adaptation project. It seeks to create a portal to help northern communities make the best decisions around changing climate conditions, such as building on changing permafrost cover.

The circumpolar business forum task force also reported to the senior officials on its progress.

Borbey said the work is going well and the task force's next meeting will be in Helsinki, Finland in December.

Other discussion topics included the incorporation of traditional knowledge into the council's work, Arctic shipping, and oil spill prevention in Arctic waters.

During a public lecture last night at the Yukon Beringia Interpretive Centre, the council released a new report by the Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna working group.

The report, Life Linked to Ice: A guide to sea-ice-associated biodiversity in this time of rapid change, examines the effects of changing sea ice on biodiversity.

Four recommendations for the council and its participants emerged from the report:

• create more flexible, adaptable wildlife and habitat management and marine planning approaches to respond effectively to Arctic biodiversity changes;

• identify measures for detecting early warning signs of biodiversity change to trigger conservation action;

• make better use of local and traditional knowledge in the Arctic council assessments and in ecological management; and

• target resource managers when communicating research and findings.

Following the conclusion of the senior officials' meetings, local media asked Borbey if there was any discussion around the results of a recent survey that highlighted concerns about the muzzling of Canadian government scientists.

Borbey, like Environment Minister Leona Aglukkaq when the Star asked her Monday about the survey results, refused to comment.

He did say the council works collaboratively with Canadian scientists.

"They are recognized in their field, in fact senior Arctic officials today congratulated Canadian scientists from Environment Canada for the wonderful work they have done in support of our flora and fauna working group.”