Harper heading north for sovereignty swing

The prime minister will visit the Northwest Territories and Yukon later this month where he will make at least two announcements. Harper plans a three-day visit to Inuvik, Tuktoyaktuk and Dawson City, including a meeting of the high-level cabinet planning and priorities committee in Inuvik.

A senior government official said the visit demonstrates the significance Harper places on the North, especially with the growing "geopolitical importance" of the melting Northwest Passage.

The official, who asked to remain anonymous, hinted the announcements will involve infrastructure and putting "boots on the ground."

Harper has committed to building Arctic patrol ships and a deep-water northern port, and boosting the military presence in the Far North.

The official also took a swipe at Liberal Leader Stephane Dion, calling him "hopelessly naive" on world issues and suggesting he would be weak on sovereignty issues.

The tough talk and campaign-style announcements come as Harper girds for a possible fall election.

Harper begins a campaign-style swing Wednesday through Atlantic Canada to restore support in a region where the Conservatives believe the proposed Liberal carbon tax could improve Tory chances of electoral success.