January 20, 2026 — Dalena Reporters
Winnipeg, Manitoba — In the midst of intensifying geopolitical tensions over Greenland’s future, Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew has underscored the strategic importance of the Port of Churchill as a linchpin for Canada’s Arctic sovereignty, describing the deep-water port as “our only hope” should disputes escalate over control of the Arctic territory. Kinew’s remarks, made Monday in Winnipeg, reflect rising domestic concerns about northern defence and supply infrastructure in the context of U.S. rhetoric on Greenland.
Kinew’s comments come as U.S. President Donald Trump has renewed talk about acquiring or exerting greater control over Greenland, prompting pushback from European nations and raising questions across North America about territorial influence and Arctic strategy. In response, Canada is considering measures from diplomatic engagement to potential military support for Denmark and Greenland’s sovereignty underscoring how seriously Ottawa views the situation.
At the heart of Kinew’s intervention is the Port of Churchill, located on Hudson Bay in northern Manitoba. The port, the only deep-water facility with a rail link into the Canadian interior, is uniquely positioned to serve the Arctic and northern supply chains both for civilian commerce and potential defence logistics. “What is our only hope if this Greenland stuff continues? Churchill,” Kinew said, arguing that expanded infrastructure there would be essential for maintaining Canadian Arctic sovereignty amid external pressures.
Ottawa and Winnipeg have been exploring expansion plans for the port and the Hudson Bay Railway that feeds it, including infrastructure upgrades and possible year-round operations. The federal government previously committed resources to studying specialized icebreakers, ice tugs and research vessels to support Arctic operations, while provincial leaders have advocated for more comprehensive development to boost trade and sovereignty.
The Greenland dispute has highlighted broader concerns about Canada’s northern infrastructure and defence readiness. As Arctic sea ice recedes with climate change and global interest in the region’s resources grows, Arctic ports and supply corridors have taken on increased strategic value for both economic and national security reasons. Churchill’s deep-water access to the Atlantic connecting via the Hudson Strait gives Canada a rare foothold for Arctic engagement and trade.
Beyond the geopolitical dimension, Kinew has framed Churchill as a nation-building project that could diversify Canada’s trade routes, reducing reliance on southern ports and U.S. transit corridors. Expansion advocates say that improving rail connections and port capacity could strengthen Canadian exports to Europe and Asia, enhancing economic resilience amid global trade conflicts.
Kinew’s remarks also signal concern about sovereignty in the broader Arctic region, where multiple nations, including Russia, China and the United States, are strengthening their presence. For Canada, Arctic strategy has increasingly become a topic of federal and provincial cooperation, encompassing defence, Indigenous partnerships, economic development and climate adaptation.
As debate continues over Greenland’s status and Canada’s response, Kinew’s vocal support for Churchill places Manitoba at the centre of a high-stakes discussion on Arctic futures — one that could reshape national priorities and infrastructure investments in the years ahead.