The Big Five Podcast Maybe we should buy Greenland. Plus: Does Montreal’s airport suck?
Jan 7, 2026
Raphaël Melançon, a political analyst and founder of Trafalgar Strategies, teams up with Justine McIntyre, a former Montreal city councillor and strategic consultant. They dive into the hypotheticals of the U.S. buying Greenland, debating historical attempts and local sentiment. The conversation shifts to Quebec politics, highlighting youth support for Charles Millard's leadership campaign. Finally, they tackle the state of Trudeau Airport, weighing its infrastructure shortcomings against alternatives like Mirabel.
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Greenland's Sovereignty Isn't For Sale
- Greenlanders value self-determination and are not easily swayed by transactional offers from foreign powers.
- Raphaël Melançon and Justine McIntyre argue money alone likely won't buy Greenland's allegiance amid identity and safety concerns.
Bullying Undermines Diplomatic Offers
- Military threats or bullying undermine any legitimate diplomatic case to change a territory's allegiance.
- Justine McIntyre notes history shows countries rarely give up sovereignty willingly without force or coercion.
Greenlander Says 'I Want To Be Free'
- A Greenland interviewee told Elias he dislikes both Denmark and the U.S. and primarily wants freedom.
- Elias used that to argue Greenlanders may pursue independence rather than joining another power.