Canada, EU lay out vision for closer ties in ‘dangerous and divided’ world

This article is new today!

Source: Global News Politics
Date: 2026-10-30 17:50:16.0
Tags: [National, Trade, Economy, Governance, Defence, Education]

Prime Minister Mark Carney and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen signed a strategic alliance agreement in Montreal to establish Canada as the European Union's first associate member amid rising international trade tensions. The agreement establishes collaborative frameworks for digital money transfers, labour and research mobility including potential participation in the Erasmus+ education program, critical raw minerals development, outer space cooperation, and joint security support including the Ukraine Support Loan. The pact also sets out cooperative efforts regarding artificial intelligence, climate change solutions, and cross-border instant payment systems.

Carney points to EU's strong belief in democracy as political winds shift for 2 largest members

This article is new today!

Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-30 08:00:00.0
Tags: [National, Trade, Economy, Governance, Defence]

Prime Minister Mark Carney hosted European Union leaders, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, during the 21st Canada-EU summit in Montreal to advance negotiations on making Canada the bloc's first associate member. The bilateral talks aim to forge a strategic "alliance for the future" to counter protectionist U.S. trade pressures under President Donald Trump and address volatile political shifts in key European nations such as France and Germany. A forthcoming joint statement from the two-day summit outlines mutual commitments to reinforce predictable trade environments, collaborate on critical mineral supply chains, counter cyberattacks, maintain support for Ukraine, and initiate negotiations for deeper Canadian participation in the Erasmus student exchange program.

Ottawa's sluggish bureaucracy leaves critical gaps in Canadian military ammo supply: AG

Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-29 21:57:13.0
Tags: [National, Defence, Public Safety, Governance, Industry]

A federal audit by Auditor General Karen Hogan revealed that Canada's strategic military ammunition stockpile has critical gaps and fails to support war readiness or NATO commitments, citing sluggish restocking by Public Services and Procurement Canada and poor inventory management by the Department of National Defence. Despite a previously announced $9.2-billion federal funding pledge over 13 years and a March $1.4-billion framework scaling up domestic production—including $305 million to IMT Precision in Ingersoll, Ontario, and nearly $1 billion to General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems in Quebec—resolving the shortfalls will take several years. The audit noted that regular-use ammunition contracts took an average of nearly 19 months from signature to final delivery, while equipment unreliability and limited training further reduced operational utilization.

Canada's new national security strategy will shield economy, modernize military

Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-29 15:59:34.0
Tags: [National, Defence, Economy, Trade, Public Safety, Governance]

The federal government released a sweeping national security strategy committing over $163 billion toward military expansion and defence industrial base rebuilding through the middle of the next decade. The framework emphasizes protecting economic sovereignty across sectors such as critical minerals, semiconductors, and artificial intelligence, while managing a clear-eyed relationship with the United States and deferring immediate decisions on establishing a standalone foreign intelligence agency. The strategy also includes plans to review existing national security legislation within a year to modernize intelligence capabilities against emerging geopolitical threats.

Canada's new national security strategy will shield economy, modernize military

Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-29 15:59:34.0
Tags: [National, Defence, Economy, Trade, Public Safety, Governance]

The federal government, under Prime Minister Mark Carney, has released a new national security strategy designed to protect the Canadian economy and modernize military capabilities amid global instability. The framework outlines a multibillion-dollar expansion plan that allocates more than $163 billion toward the military by the mid-2030s, alongside pending legislation to create a dedicated Crown corporation for defence procurement. While the strategy emphasizes trade diversification and a clear-eyed approach to relations with the United States, a final decision regarding the establishment of a separate foreign intelligence agency akin to the U.S. CIA or Britain's MI6 is currently being deferred by senior officials. Completely redrawn defence and foreign policies are scheduled to be released in the coming months, accompanied by a comprehensive review of national security legislation within a year.

Canada's new relationship with EU will be 'closer to membership' than ever, senior officials say

Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-27 16:46:42.0
Tags: [National, Trade, Economy, Governance, Defence]

Prime Minister Mark Carney is pursuing a historic associate membership with the European Union, which European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen formally announced to establish Canada as the bloc's first associate member. The proposed strategic alliance aims to deepen co-operation in trade, security, and technology amid escalating U.S. tariffs and trade tensions under U.S. President Donald Trump. Formal discussions and negotiations are set to launch at a two-day bilateral summit in Montreal involving Prime Minister Mark Carney and EU officials, with an official framework expected to develop ahead of the subsequent 2027 summit.

Canada receives first F-35 jets from U.S. as full order still under review

Source: Global News Politics
Date: 2026-10-25 21:03:29.0
Tags: [National, Defence, Trade, Governance]

Canada has received its first two F-35 stealth fighter jets manufactured by Lockheed Martin at a facility in Phoenix, though Prime Minister Mark Carney has paused the planned full procurement of 88 aircraft amid an ongoing review. The defense review was launched in response to U.S. President Donald Trump's trade and annexation threats, leaving Ottawa to consider a mixed fleet that could potentially include Saab Gripen jets. Concerns have been raised regarding U.S. control over the sensitive software operating the F-35 jets.

Canada needs concrete results from EU summit this week, former envoy says

Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-25 17:58:19.0
Tags: [National, Trade, Economy, Defence, Technology, Governance]

Ahead of the Canada-European Union summit in Montreal, former special envoy to the EU Stéphane Dion emphasized the necessity of achieving concrete results across trade, science, defence, security, and artificial intelligence, rather than issuing a routine status communiqué. Prime Minister Mark Carney and European leaders are negotiating a new alliance that includes potential participation in the European Erasmus+ mobility program and resolving the ratification status of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), which currently remains unratified in nine EU member states including France, Italy, and Poland. Additionally, incoming Canadian Ambassador to the European Union Jonathan Wilkinson and bilateral officials are advancing negotiations on a digital trade agreement to govern e-commerce, electronic transmissions, and secure cross-border data flows.

Carney says 'direct casualties' are result of Ukraine's restricted access to Musk's Starshield

Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-23 19:16:05.0
Tags: [National, Defence, Technology, Governance]

Prime Minister Mark Carney publicly criticized restrictions placed on Ukraine's access to Elon Musk's military-grade satellite network, Starshield, stating that the limitations have resulted in direct civilian casualties and compromised Ukraine's defence capabilities. Speaking from Istanbul, Carney highlighted Canada's vulnerability to foreign-controlled single-provider infrastructure and emphasized the necessity of diversifying sovereign defence and communications partnerships. The restrictions, which U.S. and Ukrainian officials indicate originated from the White House or SpaceX operations, have limited Ukraine's ability to track incoming Russian missiles and jet-powered drones traveling faster than 160 kilometres per hour.

National security strategy to address array of threats coming soon: Carney adviser

Source: Global News Politics
Date: 2026-10-23 17:14:26.0
Tags: [National, Public Safety, Defence, Governance, Economy]

David Morrison, senior diplomatic and international affairs adviser to Prime Minister Mark Carney, announced to the House of Commons public safety and national security committee that Canada is poised to release its first comprehensive national security strategy in over two decades. The upcoming strategy, last updated in 2004 under Prime Minister Paul Martin as Securing an Open Society, aims to address a wide array of modern threats with an increased focus on economic security. According to Privy Council Office spokesperson Mélany Gauvin, the policy document is expected to be made public within a few weeks, following directives initially issued by former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to deliver a renewed strategy.

C-28 (45-1) - Canadian Space Launch Act

Source: Parliament of Canada (LEGISinfo)
Date: 2026-10-23 09:34:19.0
Tags: [National, Technology, Defence, Transportation, Governance]

Bill C-28, titled the Canadian Space Launch Act, was introduced in the House of Commons by Minister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, aiming to amend the Aeronautics Act and other Acts to establish sovereign space launch capabilities in Canada. The legislation underwent debate at second reading on October 23, 2026, following its initial introduction and first reading on April 21, 2026. The bill is part of a broader federal push complementing a $200 million investment by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency to position the Nova Scotia spaceport as a cornerstone of national defence and commercial launch capabilities.

Carney walks a trade, defence and diplomatic tightrope in Turkey

Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-22 11:44:34.0
Tags: [National, Trade, Defence, Governance]

Prime Minister Mark Carney is visiting Ankara, Turkey, for a historic two-day bilateral visit with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to strengthen trade and defence co-operation. The diplomatic mission represents a deliberate federal strategy by the Carney government to diversify Canadian trade and military partnerships beyond the United States, despite domestic and international criticism regarding Turkey's human rights record and crackdown on civil society groups.

Carney appoints astronaut Jeremy Hansen to advise government on new space strategy

Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-21 22:01:14.0
Tags: [National, Technology, Infrastructure, Defence, Trade, Governance]

Prime Minister Mark Carney appointed Artemis II astronaut Jeremy Hansen as a special adviser on space strategy to counsel the Prime Minister and Industry Minister Mélanie Joly on national sovereignty, security, and global contributions. The appointment coincides with Canada shifting its space partnerships toward the European Space Agency and away from American private firm SpaceX, drawing commentary from U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra. Additionally, Defence Minister David McGuinty announced a $20-million agreement for a space launch complex in southern Newfoundland to ensure independent and reliable orbital access during geopolitical tensions.

Trudeau government advised it would be expected to carry out ICC arrest warrants, including for Netanyahu

Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-16 08:00:00.0
Tags: [National, Justice, Defence, Governance]

An internal memo dated June 10, 2024, written by Nathalie Drouin, then Justin Trudeau's national security adviser, advised the federal government that Canada has international legal obligations under the Rome Statute and Canada's Extradition Act to pursue the arrest of individuals subject to International Criminal Court warrants, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The heavily redacted document, obtained by CBC News via an access to information request, notes that Canada would be expected to seek an arrest warrant in a Canadian court upon receiving a cooperation request. While Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and political successor Mark Carney later stated that Canada would abide by court regulations and act on warrants, the federal government has permitted Netanyahu's aircraft to pass through Canadian airspace without enforcement, highlighting ongoing legal debates regarding sovereign airspace obligations.

Envoy says France admires Carney’s U.S. stance

Source: Global News Politics
Date: 2026-10-11 12:24:35.0
Tags: [National, Trade, Economy, Governance, Defence]

French Ambassador to Canada Hélène Farnaud-Defromont stated that France admires Prime Minister Mark Carney's trade and regulatory stance against the United States administration under President Donald Trump. Prime Minister Carney halted trade talks with Washington in August, citing last-minute demands and a commitment to protecting Canadian language sovereignty and big tech regulation. The bilateral development unfolds as Canada and the European Union prepare for a bilateral summit later this month to discuss a proposed new strategic partnership.

Canada yanks sponsorship of disinformation conference discussing U.S. as a threat

Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-07 20:50:03.0
Tags: [National, Governance, Trade, Defence]

Global Affairs Canada, alongside the European External Action Service and Lithuania's Foreign Ministry, withdrew its sponsorship from the EU DisinfoLab 2026 conference in Vilnius, Lithuania. The federal government pulled its support after taking issue with the framing of panel discussions organized by the Brussels-based non-profit that examined the U.S. government as a foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI) risk. The diplomatic withdrawal occurred amidst trade disputes between Canada and U.S. President Donald Trump's administration, as well as ongoing scrutiny over U.S. entities engaging with Alberta independence campaigners.

Defence minister delivers pro-Canada message in Alberta, highlights $8B in funding

Source: Global News Politics
Date: 2026-10-07 19:50:14.0
Tags: [National, Alberta, Defence, Infrastructure, Governance]

Federal Defence Minister David McGuinty announced $8 billion in ongoing military spending for Alberta during a visit to Canadian Forces Base Edmonton alongside Alberta Premier Danielle Smith. The funding package includes $550 million dedicated to establishing the western operating base for the Royal Canadian Air Force's CC-330 Husky fleet. The announcement coincides with an upcoming provincial referendum in Alberta featuring questions regarding Confederation and future relations with the federal government.

Ottawa gives defence buying agency more muscle — and more independence

Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-06 21:31:19.0
Tags: [National, Defence, Governance, Economy, Infrastructure]

The federal government tabled Bill C-40 in the House of Commons to transform the Defence Investment Agency from an entity within Public Services and Procurement Canada into an independent Crown corporation with its own board, CEO, and permanent structure. The newly structured agency will report to an associate minister of defence and is empowered to negotiate complex procurement contracts, engage in defence production, and invest in strategic industries to accelerate military purchases. Secretary of State for Defence Procurement Stephen Fuhr and Defence Minister David McGuinty stated the changes are designed to handle an expected historic defence spending surge projected by the Parliamentary Budget Office to reach over $163 billion annually by 2035. Critics, including federal Conservative defence critic James Bezan and Carleton University defence expert Philippe Lagassé, raised concerns that the arm's-length structure could obscure parliamentary accountability and lead to institutional finger-pointing regarding procurement decisions.

Richard Martel joins Conservative Senate group, returns to Conservative caucus

Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-06 18:35:43.0
Tags: [National, Quebec, Governance, Defence]

Quebec Senator Richard Martel has joined the Conservative Senate group and returned to the federal Conservative opposition caucus following his appointment to the Red Chamber in July by Prime Minister Mark Carney. Martel's transition to the Senate previously triggered a byelection in his former House of Commons riding of Chicoutimi-Le Fjord, which was won by the Liberals in August. Martel announced he will sit on the Senate's national security, defence and veterans affairs committee.

C-40 (45-1) - Strengthening Canada's Defence Sector Act

Source: Parliament of Canada (LEGISinfo)
Date: 2026-10-06 10:00:00.0
Tags: [National, Defence, Governance, Industry]

Bill C-40, titled the Strengthening Canada's Defence Sector Act, was introduced and read for the first time in the House of Commons on October 6, 2026. Sponsored by the Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement and Quebec Lieutenant, the federal legislation proposes new measures respecting production, procurement, and investment in relation to national defence and national security. The bill is currently at second reading in the House of Commons during the 1st session of the 45th Parliament.