TUKTOYAKTUK, N.W.T. — Fresh from dancing his way into the hearts of some northerners, Prime Minister Stephen Mr. Harper didn’t let up on the populist touch on Thursday: jumping on an all-terrain vehicle to race around Arctic roads, and declaring his government will protect beluga whales in the Beaufort Sea.

Mr. Harper was on his fourth day of his week-long trip to the North, and the focus of his attention was on protecting mammal life and the environment in the sensitive waters of the Arctic. He visited Tuktoyaktuk, home to nearly 1,000 people, which is the northernmost community on the Canadian mainland.

Mr. Harper said his government will establish the Tarium Niryutait Marine Protected Area, which will cover about 1,800 square kilometres and is located at the mouth of the Mackenzie River in the Beaufort Sea.

The move is designed to conserve one of the world’s largest seasonal populations of beluga whales. Mr. Harper said the whale is as much a part of the northern Canadian character as the polar bear, the kayak, the caribou, the igloo and the dogsled.

During the summer, the Beaufort Sea is home to one of the world’s largest stocks of beluga whales. They go there to feed, socialize and raise their calves.

“Today we are ensuring these Arctic treasures are preserved for generations to come,” said Mr. Harper.

The prime minister said plans for the preservation area were worked out in consultation with aboriginals, private industry and the territorial governments.

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