OTTAWA - Foreign officials descending on frozen Iqaluit this week will be getting a taste of Canada, and possibly a lesson on why many in the country feels so strongly about preserving the seal hunt.

Canadian officials said Tuesday that Canada won't try to score points at the G7 meeting of finance ministers and central bankers about the hunt that is despised in many parts of the world, but they are also making sure those at the meeting will be aware of the importance of seals in the North.

Europe is on the verge of banning seal products, but officials from Germany, Britain, France and Italy will be given an opportunity to dine on the mammal during a community feast on Saturday night.

In addition, the foreign dignitaries will be sitting on seal-skin upholstered chairs at their meetings in the Nunavut assembly and they will be given seal-skin mittens and vests as parting gifts.

The foreign ministers and central bankers will also be invited to take a traditional dog sled ride on Friday, and enjoy a fireside chat Saturday, even though Iqaluit is so close to the Arctic circle there is not wood, Flaherty said.

Gov. Gen. Michaelle Jean drew praise in Canada and some criticism abroad for tasting raw seal meat last May.

Although seals are not considered an endangered species, the animal has become a cause celebre for animal protection groups and celebrities from Paul McCartney to Pamela Anderson. But for the Inuit and some Newfoundlanders, they are a source of food, clothing and income.

A senior finance official, speaking on background in advance of the meetings on Friday and Saturday, said Finance Minister Jim Flaherty will focus on the economic agenda for the meeting and won't be lobbying officials to lift the ban.

But that doesn't mean Canada won't be hoping the ministers don't acquire a new appreciation of the cultural, culinary and economic importance of the seal to the local community.

"It's not something we're hiding from," said Mike Storeshaw, the minister's director of communications.

"We would encourage the G7 finance ministers to take the time to learn about the importance of the seal hunt to Inuit and Aboriginal Canadians."

Speaking at a meeting of manufacturers, Flaherty joked about making the "cozy little corner" of Canada, Iqaluit, "in February," the locale for the meeting.

The unusual location for the meeting, especially in the middle of winter, has raised some eyebrows abroad and resulted in shortages in both accommodation and flight availability.

But Flaherty said despite the prospect of having to brave 40-below temperatures, the interest has been tremendous from both the ministers and media.

"The ministers all want to come, lots of the spouses want to come because it is our pristine Canadian North," he said.

The choice of Iqaluit was made to get officials away from the big city atmosphere so they could discuss some of the financial and economic problems facing the global economy frankly and openly.

The business part of the meetings will take place Saturday morning, when officials will tackle financial system reform, the need to address China's undervalued currency, when and how countries should move to deal with mounting deficits and reconstruction in Haiti.

Unlike past G7 meetings, there will be no concluding communique detailing the agreements issued. The meetings will end early Saturday with literally a fireside chat when officials can bring up whatever issues they want.

The intent is to return the G7 to its original informal roots, and noted that dignitaries are being asked to wear sweaters, not suits and ties.