Premier Ranj Pillai met with several federal ministers in Ottawa last Thursday during his return travel to Whitehorse from his Asian trade mission.

The premier, joined by Yukon MP Brendan Hanley, met with:

• Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs Dominic LeBlanc;

• Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Marc Miller;

• Minister of National Defence Bill Blair; and

• Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations Gary Anandasangaree.

In a statement, the government said the meetings provided opportunities to discuss outcomes from the Asia mission, including:

• opportunities to bring skilled workers to the territory from abroad;

• Arctic security;

• investments in infrastructure and affordable housing; and

• clean energy that can support the Yukon’s continued growth and economic development.

“The meetings support continued collaboration with the federal government on shared goals of affordable housing and infrastructure development, immigration and reconciliation, and promote greater understanding in Ottawa of the Yukon’s distinct context and priorities,” the government said.

Pillai also spoke at the second National Onam Celebration on Parliament Hill, organized by the Indo-Canadian Council for Arts and Culture (ICAC), in collaboration with more than 84 Malayalee associations and community organizations spanning Canada, including the Whitehorse Malayali Association.