Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand’s planned visit to Greenland to inaugurate a new Canadian consulate has been delayed due to inclement weather in the area. Anand was scheduled to open the consulate this week as both countries aim to strengthen their relationship amid strained ties with the U.S.
The decision to establish the diplomatic office, along with another consulate in Anchorage, Alaska, was outlined in the federal government’s Arctic foreign policy revealed late last year. Greenland’s government supported the move in its own policy document in early 2024 and looks forward to reciprocating with an office in Ottawa.
“This marks a significant expansion of our presence in the Arctic,” Anand told CBC News recently. “We are committed to fulfilling our role as a key Arctic nation at a time of heightened geopolitical instability.”
A new date for the visit has not been set yet. Anand’s trip was to follow visits to Greenland this year by top foreign dignitaries. In June, French President Emmanuel Macron highlighted a message of solidarity and friendship during his visit to the territory. This followed U.S. Vice-President JD Vance criticizing Denmark’s security efforts in Greenland while visiting a U.S. military base on the island’s northern region.
During Vance’s visit, U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated his interest in acquiring Greenland, stating, “We have to have Greenland.”
Greenland, a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, manages its internal affairs while Copenhagen oversees defense and foreign policy. The Greenlandic government has been pushing for more autonomy in foreign affairs.
Canada and Denmark, both NATO allies, maintain embassies in each other’s capitals. Addressing Trump’s remarks about Greenland, Anand emphasized Canada’s global efforts in various areas, including Arctic safeguarding and security.
Canada has not dispatched a high-level minister to Greenland in years. Virginia Mearns, Canada’s new Arctic ambassador, was set to accompany Anand on the trip.
Alex Dalziel, a senior fellow at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute specializing in geopolitics and the Arctic, sees this diplomatic move as a potential start for enhanced collaboration on Arctic security.
“We need to consider patrol aircraft and coast guard operations, and how we can collaborate with Greenland and Denmark,” Dalziel mentioned.
He also viewed this as a crucial opportunity that should not be missed, emphasizing the importance of strategic planning and leadership to showcase Canada’s strengths on the international stage.
Canada will be among the few nations with official consulates in Nuuk, alongside the United States and Iceland. The Canadian consulate will share office space with the Icelandic consulate. Details on the Canadian staff working in Greenland and the appointment of a Consul General are expected to be announced later.
