Danish lawmakers visit Greenland & Canada amid rising Arctic tension
According to a report by Greenlandic news outlet Sermitsiaq, half of the Danish Parliament’s Greenland Committee—14 out of 29 members—are preparing for an extensive trip to both Greenland and Nunavut, Canada. The visit aims to strengthen understanding of local conditions, support business development and engage in reconciliation work with Indigenous peoples, during a time when Copenhagen seeks to strengthen ties with the Arctic nation.
“I had the pleasure of visiting Sisimiut a few months ago, and there are many concrete and broader political issues that are important to us—for example, in the area of justice, and in terms of how we can support local business development in the region,” committee chair Aaja Chemnitz told Sermitsiaq.
The journey begins in Greenland, where the committee will visit both Nuuk and Sisimiut. Sisimiut is the chosen destination outside the capital—a tradition for the committee, which in past years has also traveled beyond Nuuk.
Focus on Sisimiut: closure of Kangerlussuaq as main airport and defense policy
At Sisimiut, the committee will assess the political and practical consequences of closing Kangerlussuaq as Greenland’s main airport for the local municipality.
They will also explore development opportunities in the region, including the proposed road between Sisimiut and Kangerlussuaq.
“Partly to understand the consequences for the municipality of Kangerlussuaq being closed as the main airport, and partly to learn about development opportunities in Sisimiut—including establishing the road and the area’s significance for defense,” said Aaja Chemnitz. “I had the pleasure of being in Sisimiut a few months ago, and there are many concrete and broader political tasks that are important to us—such as the justice system and ways to support local business development.”
Relations with Canada
In Canada, the committee will visit Iqaluit—capital of Nunavut—to meet local politicians and Inuit organizations and to learn about Canada’s experiences with reconciliation work involving Indigenous peoples.
They will also travel to Ottawa to speak with Canadian parliamentarians and government officials. The agenda includes Inuit welfare in Canada and broader diplomatic relations between Greenland, Denmark and Canada.
“Our focus in Canada is to gather Canadian experience with the placement of Inuit children and to learn more about their reconciliation work on the political level. There’s strong interest among the committee members in participating in this trip, and we’re looking forward to it,” Chemnitz said.
The big picture
This delegation comes at a moment of heightened tensions under former U.S. President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly suggested that the U.S. might acquire Greenland—even hinting at using military force to do so, with Trump’s rhetoric alarming both Danish and Greenlandic leaders.
In response to the escalating pressure, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has pledged that Denmark is “willing to invest more in the development of the Greenlandic society,” including critical infrastructure and expanded self‑rule in foreign policy matters.
Danish officials have also condemned U.S. intelligence activity in Greenland and announced plans to boost Arctic defense funding—reportedly including spending of around $1.5 billion—to safeguard Greenland’s autonomy and deter foreign encroachment.
