Foreign Affairs Minister Rob Nicholson is deflecting criticism over Canada's chairmanship of the Arctic Council, specifically its focus on economic development over the environment and climate change.

Speaking to CTV's Question Period from the Arctic Council meeting in Iqaluit this week, Nicholson said Environment Minister Leona Aglukkaq was commended at the gathering for her work as chairwoman over the past two years.

"She (Aglukkaq) was unanimously praised by our colleagues there for her chairmanship and Canada's efforts in the north," said Nicholson.

As the Arctic warms twice as fast as the rest of the world and new shipping routes open amidst melted seaways, one of the major concerns for experts and environmental groups like Greenpeace has been the protection of the environment during a possible oil spill.

Nicholson rejected those concerns, saying that under Aglukkaq's leadership, the Council has prepared itself for a spill should one occur.

"They have developed patterns and routines and processes that will be put in place. But the most important thing of course is to prevent any spills from taking place in the first place and that has been a priority of the Arctic Council as well," said Nicholson.

The two-day meeting in Iqaluit marked the end of Canada's chairmanship of the Council; the U.S. takes over for the next two years. On Friday, Algukkaq officially handed over the gavel to U.S Secretary of State John Kerry.

Frosty reception for Russia

While Aglukkaq greeted Kerry with a hug upon his arrival in Iqaluit, the Russian delegation received a frosty reception from Canada. Russia's foreign minister Sergey Lavrov did not attend the meeting. Rather, the Russians sent their Environment Minister Sergei Donskoi.

Tensions between the West and Russia have been tense since last year when Russia annexed the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea. The Canadian government has loudly expressed its opposition to Russia's actions since.

Nicholson said he reaffirmed Canada's ongoing support for Ukraine to Donskoi at last week's meeting, to which the Russian minister had next to no response.

"I approached him and I indicated to him that we were very vehement about our support for Ukraine and I told him that was going to continue … He didn't have much to say when I approached him," said Nicholson. "He certainly got the message."

Russia has also shown increased aggression in the Arctic, something Nicholson said the Canadian government is very well aware of and monitoring. Last month, Russia sent 38,000 troops and dozens of warships and submarines to the region.

Arctic vessel, aircraft construction delayed

But as military activity in the Arctic increases, Canada's plans to build new Arctic patrol vessels and patrol aircraft, as well as a new deep water port, have been delayed. While Nicholson acknowledged the delays, he said the pressure's on the get the projects done.

"I know they're working on those. And there are contracts that been put out, they're moving forward and the sooner the better. We want to have them as part of our efforts in that area," said Nicholson.

Going forward: Focus on climate change

As Kerry takes over the chairmanship of the Arctic Council, the focus of the group's attention shifts from economic development to climate change. To kick things off, the Council adopted a framework last week to reduce black carbon and methane emissions in an effort mean to slow the immediate effects of climate change.

Nicholson welcomed the U.S.' commitment to continue Canada's work to reduce the short-lived emissions.

"The United States has indicated that this is going to continue to be a priority for the Arctic Council," sad Nicholson. "I was very pleased quite frankly that environmental sustainability and all the questions in that area are a priority of the Arctic Council and that's going to continue."

With files from The Canadian Press