10 hours ago
- Business
- National Observer
Now is the time for Canada to strengthen its diplomatic ties with Greenland
One of the most topographically interesting regions in the world, Greenland flaunts an impressive seven-kilometre-deep ice sheet that is said to be the world's largest glacier, covering 80 per cent of the island's surface. Beneath its Arctic tundra — vast and desolate areas that are not covered in ice — sits a hotbed of mineral wealth. Its barren landscape and polar climate allow for prime crystallization of rare metals: cobalt, nickel, copper, lithium, uranium, graphite and nickel, all of which play a critical role in the island's manufacturing and economic development, including green energy production, fossil fuel reserves for offshore oil and gas drilling, and digitization. With demand for rare earth minerals expected to reach up to seven times current levels by 2040, Greenland's winning ticket to geographic determinism and sovereignty lies within its own borders.
Canada, in fact, shares this border with Greenland, the longest maritime border in the world. The territory is of great strategic importance to the Canadian archipelago in terms of its geographical positioning, giving Canada a stronger national defence policy, economic security, and greater supply chain reliability to access Greenland's rare earth minerals and other trade items, including medical products, food and agriculture, and construction vehicles. Canada is among five other northern neighbours, known as the Arctic Five, that also share a border with Greenland, including the United States (Alaska), Russia, Norway and Denmark. It is no wonder, then, that the largest island in the world has historically garnered considerable interest from major world powers.
Despite geopolitical competition to strengthen relations with Greenland, Canada has bolstered its own position as a viable trading partner. On June 14, 2022, the Kingdom of Denmark signed a memorandum of understanding with Ottawa for the Hans Island Agreement, solidifying a longstanding negotiation between Nunavut and Nuuk to mutually expand its commitment and partnership in trade, energy, minerals, research, education and Indigenous knowledge exchange in Canada's northern regions.
In December 2024, Canada's then-minister of foreign affairs announced a $34.7 million-funding plan over a five-year period as part of their Arctic foreign policy for the Global Arctic Leadership Initiative. And Canada's Arctic Foreign Policy (ANPF), which was co-developed by 25 First Nations, Inuit and Métis governments, is guided by the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People (UNDRIP), with the aim of engaging and strengthening Indigenous presence and voices in international forums, sharing Indigenous knowledge and traditions, and addressing migration challenges.
Canadian efforts to bolster its ties with Greenland, however, are currently being overshadowed by its neighbour south of the border. Washington's recent proposal to purchase the territory to boost its national security prowess and harness a resource-rich cash cow has ignited a new Cold War in the region. Although US President Trump previously expressed interest in Greenland in 2019, his latest comments about securing the territory (along with Canada as its 51 st state), sped up the pace in the race for strengthening partnerships in the Arctic Circle.
Although a US invasion of Canada is illegal under international law, such a scheme would force China to loosen its white-knuckle grip on the US (and Canada, for that matter), as Beijing has positioned itself as a global leader in rare earth mineral production and is looking to advance its 'Polar Silk Road' by fast-tracking the development of Arctic shipping lanes by 2050.
A sense of urgency among Canadians to secure diplomatic ties with Greenland is amassing due to geopolitical tensions, especially considering Trump's recent claims to purchase the territory. A 2024 survey conducted by the Observatory on Politics and Security in the Arctic (OPSA) found that nearly three-quarters (73 per cent) of Canadians worry their nation might lose part of its presence in the Arctic unless it paves a stronger path to securing it. Almost half (49 per cent) want Ottawa to take a confrontational approach to territorial disputes, while 32 per cent prefer negotiating a deal with other northern neighbours that border the Arctic. Defending Canada's Arctic borders and protecting the environment were top priorities for Canadians, 32 per cent and 31 per cent, respectively, followed by an equal proportion ensuring economic growth and strengthening Indigenous People's autonomy and self-determination at 15 per cent each.
With demand for rare earth minerals expected to reach up to seven times current levels by 2040, Greenland's winning ticket to geographic determinism and sovereignty lies within its own borders, writes Lisa Byers
Canada and the United States are already strong allies when it comes to matters in the Arctic, so much so that Ottawa is Washington's closest partner. Their affiliated defence operation is a critical aspect of security on the North American continent, yet with the great white North seemingly under threat, Canada is under pressure to act fast. With a remarkable comeback made by the Liberals with Prime Minister Mark Carney, however, the promise to build Canada's energy corridor interprovincially and abate its reliance on US energy sources, there is the possibility to extend support in the Arctic.
In his 2007 campaign kickoff speech, then-Canadian prime minister Stephen Harper declared, 'Canada has a choice when it comes to defending our sovereignty over the Arctic. We either use it or we lose it… And it represents the tremendous potential of our future.'
Greenland's global and socioeconomic vision includes Canada, and if Ottawa misses the opportunity to take a more affirmative lead in engaging with its northern neighbour on the international stage, then it runs the risk of renouncing its position as an independent, strong, and ultimately, free nation state.
