Prime Minister Stephen Harper has offered the government's condolences after a Canadian Ranger died during a military exercise in Gjoa Haven, Nunavut.

Cpl. Donald Anguyoak was taking part in a Ranger exercise and was killed Sunday on a snowmobile. Police said the speed at which the snowmobile was travelling contributed to the man's death.

Ranger Cpl. Donald Anguyoak was taking part in a Canadian Ranger exercise near Gjoa Haven, Nunavut, when he was killed Sunday on a snowmobile. (Canadian Forces)

Prime Minister Stephen Harper's office issued a statement on Tuesday:

"On behalf of all Canadians, Laureen and I offer our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Corporal Donald Anguyoak, who lost his life in a snowmobile accident during Exercise Polar Passage, part of the Canadian Ranger Ocean Watch program monitoring snow and ice conditions along the Northwest Passage.

"This is a stark reminder of the very real dangers that the Canadian Rangers and other members of the Canadian Armed Forces face regularly while promoting national security and exercising sovereignty in our harsh northern territories.

“Corporal Anguyoak’s sacrifice in the name of defending his country will be honoured and remembered."

In a statement, Nunavut Premier Eva Aariak extended condolences to Anguyoak's family, friends and fellow Canadian Rangers.

"Cpl. Anguyoak has made the ultimate sacrifice for his country," she said in the statement. "We hope there is some comfort in knowing that he was providing an invaluable service to both Nunavummiut and Canadians."

Terry Audla, president of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, also extended sympathies in a statement on Anguyoak's death.

"Donald was born and raised in Baker Lake and had recently lived in Gjoa Haven, where he was working proudly as a Ranger," he said.

"No words can express the sorrow and loss that his family and friends are feeling during this extremely difficult time. On behalf of all Inuit I would like to offer our deepest sympathies.”

The Canadian Rangers, who are part of the Canadian Forces Reserve, provide patrols and detachments for national security and public safety missions in sparsely settled northern, coastal and isolated areas of Canada.