48% of northern Canadians say Trump’s U.S. is biggest threat to Arctic

Nearly half of residents in Canada's North perceive the United States under President Donald Trump as the greatest threat to Arctic security, according to new polling data from Quebec's Observatoire de la politique et la sécurité de l’Arctique (OPSA). The survey, conducted among Canadians in Nunavut, Northwest Territories, Yukon, and Nunavik, shows a 11 percentage point increase from September 2021, when 37% of respondents identified the U.S. as the biggest threat.

In contrast, Russian and Chinese threats were less prominent, with 30% and 12% respectively. Mathieu Landriault, OPSA's director, expressed surprise at the high level of anxiety, suggesting the need for Canada to develop capabilities and reduce U.S. involvement in northern security. The majority of respondents, 60%, believe Canada should adopt a firm stance in defending its Arctic sections, while only 26% favored compromise.

Despite Russia's ongoing military actions in Ukraine, the U.S.'s rhetoric has apparently alarmed northerners, potentially explaining their preference for a hard line in resolving border or resource disputes with other nations. Though experts agree that a conventional military threat to Canada's Arctic is unlikely, recent European intelligence reports have reignited concerns over potential Russian aggression towards NATO members.