N.W.T. residents worried about economy, Greenland, MP hears during coffee shop chats
A ‘lot of uncertainty and feelings’ about where Canada and the world are headed in 2026, Alty says
Northwest Territories MP Rebecca Alty says she heard from people on an assortment of topics following a meet-and-greet held at a local coffee shop in downtown Yellowknife.
With a cup of coffee in hand, people waited patiently for their turn to share their concerns with Alty Saturday afternoon. The Crown-Indigenous relations minister’s staff said she met with about two dozen people at the coffee shop.
Alty said she heard from people on a range of topics, including concerns about infrastructure, housing, immigration, China, Gaza and Ukraine.
While no single concern stood out, she said, she heard suggestions in support of buying Canadian products.
There is a “lot of uncertainty and feelings” about where Canada and the world is headed in 2026, she said in an interview.
One of the issues that came up at the meet-and-greet, she said, was the sovereignty of Greenland, and United States President Donald Trump’s threats to annex the nation, which is a self-governing Danish territory.
This weekend, Trump said eight countries will face a 10 per cent tariff for opposing American control of Greenland.
Canada is working through diplomatic and international forums such as the Arctic Council and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), to support Greenland, Alty said. Canada is also scheduled to open a consulate in the Arctic nation and support Inuit priorities, she added.
“I think it’s important that all countries respect each other’s sovereignty, authority to govern,” Alty said.
“Greenland is an autonomous country and so (Canada is) making sure that we’re there providing support to our allies.”
In a social media post Sunday, Carney said Canada supports sovereignty and territorial integrity universally, including Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark. The future of Greenland will be decided by Greenland and Denmark, he said.
“The security of the Arctic — NATO’s northern and western flanks — is essential to our Alliance. Canada strongly believes that the best way to secure the Arctic is by working together within NATO. Canada is concerned by the recent escalation,” Carney said in the post.
“Canada is significantly increasing Arctic security — strengthening our military and investing in critical infrastructure.”
‘Not putting all of our eggs in one basket’
Speaking about the Northwest Territories economy, Alty said the federal government was looking at diversifying projects.
In December, the federal government announced a $115-million loan to the Ekati Diamond Mine. Ottawa said the loan helps maintain business opportunities for Indigenous corporations and supports the territory’s economy. The federal government said the loan also helps buy time to diversify the economy.
Alty said the government was looking at “big infrastructure projects” such as development of roads and trade corridors to support long-term economic development and unlock mineral potential in the region.
“So it is not putting all of our eggs in one basket, but making sure that as many industries as possible are healthy,” she said.
When asked what worries her most about 2026, she said it’s the continuing geopolitical challenges.
“I feel like since COVID-19 and kind of one after the other, the only thing that’s certain is change. And so it is about building that resiliency in our communities,” she said. “I think that’s the key.”
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: Carney says he spoke with China’s Xi about Greenland, Arctic sovereignty, The Canadian Press
Denmark: Analysis-Denmark sets a military tripwire. It’s a message to Trump more than Russia or China, CBC News
Finland: Finland preparing to send two liaison officers to Greenland, Yle News
Greenland: New Italy Arctic policy adds U.S. Greenland ambitions to growing Arctic competition narrative, Eye on the Arctic
Iceland: NATO chief to Arctic Allies: “We’re all frontline states now,” as Iceland’s role grows, Eye on the Arctic
Norway: “We want to be Europe’s most integrated region in terms of defence”, The Independent Barents Observer
Russia: Russia claims first-ever North Pole aerial refuelling, TASS reports, Reuters
Sweden: Swedish military to Greenland ahead of exercise, Radio Sweden
United States: EU to hold emergency summit on Trump’s tariff threat over Greenland, CBC News
