NDP leader Jagmeet Singh was in Iqaluit earlier this month to talk about his party's plans for Arctic sovereignty and national defence.

Nunavut MP Lori Idlout was there with Singh during his time in the capital and said his trip highlighted how important the North is.

鈥淗e brings a national audience to help ensure that 快盈v3ers are felt as heard and as important as the rest of Canada,鈥� she said. 鈥淚'm proud of the work that we've accomplished together, however there is much more that we have to do."

During a press conference on March 16, Singh outlined the NDP鈥檚 plans for Canada鈥檚 North, including repatriating F-35 contracts from the U.S. and building necessary infrastructure in Nunavut.

鈥淲e are here living in some dangerous times,鈥� said Singh. 鈥淲e're seeing our once strong ally turn their back on us with Donald Trump attacking our very sovereignty, attacking our workers, attacking our economy. Given that, we need to invest in our defence, and we talk about investing in Arctic defence, which means investing in Arctic communities (and it) means investing in the people of the North.鈥�

Some of Singh's pledges included support for ongoing projects such as the Nunavut 3000 housing initiative, the Kivillaq hydro power line for electricity and internet, improving capacity for the Rangers program, and developing airport infrastructures and deep water ports.

鈥淲e need the build the infrastructure those communities need to thrive,鈥� added Singh, adding that he and Idlout had consulted with Premier P.J. Akeeagok before making any announcement.

He also said the NDP would commit to spending 2 per cent of Canada's GDP on national defence, something that is a bedrock of those countries that are members of NATO.

Singh and Idlout also took time to visit the local Qajuqturvik Community Food Centre for an impromptu cultural exchange, which happened during a women鈥檚 sewing circle. The crowd of women showed off their seal skin and fabric creations, while Singh talked about his own Sikh culture.

He then proceeded to remove his turban and reveal his long, never cut, locks of hair underneath, explaining how one of the tenets of the Sikh religion is that followers accept their body as a gift and therefore don鈥檛 change anything.

Singh explains he wears bright coloured turbans to signal to others that he is friendly and approachable.