Mary Simon backs Greenlanders' right to decide ahead of Arctic visit

Governor General Mary Simon said Canada supports Greenland's sovereignty and that Greenlanders should determine their own future; she made the remarks at the Arctic Frontiers conference ahead of a planned visit to Denmark and Greenland this week.

Governor General Mary Simon said Canada stands firmly behind Greenlanders' right to decide their future and urged respect for northern communities' connections. She made the remarks at the Arctic Frontiers conference in Norway, where discussions this year shifted toward recent U.S. statements about buying or seeking greater control over Greenland. Simon is scheduled to travel to Denmark and Greenland later this week with Foreign Minister Anita Anand for the opening of a Canadian consulate in Nuuk. The comments followed public statements by Greenlandic and other officials about preserving the island's autonomy amid growing international interest in the Arctic. Key facts: - Mary Simon told the Arctic Frontiers conference that Canada supports the people of Greenland and their authority to determine their own future. - Simon will visit Denmark and Greenland this week with Foreign Minister Anita Anand to officially open a Canadian consulate in Nuuk. - Greenlandic Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt said tensions have eased since recent U.S. statements and warned that the island would not be sold. - The Arctic Council has been without Russian representation since 2022 following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. - Conference speakers noted rising international attention on Arctic resources and new shipping routes as factors increasing geopolitical interest in the region. Summary: Simon’s remarks reinforced Canada’s public support for Greenlandic self-determination amid renewed geopolitical attention on the Arctic. The planned consulate opening is a diplomatic step coinciding with the visit, and France is also reported to be planning a Nuuk consulate. The immediate next step is Simon’s trip to Denmark and Greenland later this week.