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.

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.

U.K. opts against joining Canada-led defence bank, pledges co-operation

Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-26 14:03:56.0
Tags: [National, Defence, Finance, Trade]

The British government has declined Ottawa's invitation to join the Canada-led international Defence, Security and Resilience Bank (DSRB), choosing instead to pursue its own Multilateral Defence Mechanism. Despite differing institutional paths, both countries agreed to establish a cooperation framework to coordinate investment opportunities and work together to meet NATO spending targets. The DSRB, which is headquartered in Canada and aims to lower military borrowing costs through pooled credit, currently retains the support of nations including Belgium, Turkey, and Ukraine.

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

Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-26 13:54:58.0
Tags: [National, Defence, Trade, Technology]

The Royal Canadian Air Force has accepted delivery of its first two Lockheed Martin CF-35A Lightning II fighter jets at Luke Air Force Base in Phoenix, Arizona. Prime Minister Mark Carney has paused the broader planned acquisition of 88 stealth fighter jets amid a federal review prompted by U.S. President Donald Trump's trade and annexation threats. The ongoing defense review is considering potential alternatives, including a mixed fleet incorporating Saab Gripen jets, as questions persist regarding American control over F-35 software and capabilities.

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.

Carney’s Turkish defence tango: A dance of dollars, drones and overcoming distrust

Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-25 20:01:24.0
Tags: [National, Trade, Defence, Industry, Technology]

Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a new strategic trade and defence partnership between Canada and Turkey during a visit to Istanbul and Ankara, aiming to reduce Canadian procurement reliance on the United States. The agreement follows the 2024 lifting of a de facto Canadian arms embargo—which had been imposed after Wescam camera equipment meant for NATO operations in Syria was illicitly diverted to Azerbaijan—and establishes that future military exports will undergo strict case-by-case permit reviews. Turkish officials and private companies, including drone manufacturer Baykar, have also expressed interest in making direct investments in Canada's aerospace and defence manufacturing sectors.

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 defends doing business with countries that don’t share Canada’s values

Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-23 10:43:04.0
Tags: [National, Trade, Defence, Energy, Economy]

Prime Minister Mark Carney concluded a visit to Turkey by signing a new strategic trade and defence partnership with President Recep Erdogan, despite criticisms regarding human rights abuses and the suppression of political opposition in Turkey. The bilateral discussions included potential contracts for Canadian engineering firm AtkinsRealis to supply nuclear technology for two planned power plants aimed at helping Turkey reach its climate goals. Additionally, Prime Minister Carney pushed back against allegations of Canadian interference in upcoming U.S. midterm elections after the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa released an official fact sheet accusing Canadian leaders of meddling.

Carney announces trade and defence partnership with Turkey

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

Prime Minister Mark Carney and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced a new strategic partnership between Canada and Turkey focused on four pillars: trade and investment, defence and security, energy, and people-to-people ties. Negotiators are scheduled to begin free trade talks in Ankara next month, alongside discussions regarding a defence industry cooperation agreement and potential nuclear energy sector investments involving Canada's Candu nuclear team. The bilateral initiative also includes plans to finalize an air transport agreement to increase passenger flights between the two countries, despite human rights concerns raised by advocacy groups regarding Turkey's crackdown on civil society.

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.

Carney’s Turkish balancing act must include business, defence and human rights

Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-21 08:00:00.0
Tags: [National, Trade, Defence, Energy, Industry, Economy]

Prime Minister Mark Carney is undertaking a three-day official visit to Turkey to negotiate a free trade agreement, expand bilateral energy and strategic industry cooperation, and rebuild defence-industrial ties with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan following the easing of a prior Canadian arms embargo. The bilateral relationship currently involves approximately $4.3 billion in trade, with active discussions focusing on potential commercial opportunities for Candu nuclear reactor technology and joint defense initiatives in ammunition production, drones, and counter-drone systems led by Secretary of State for Defence Procurement Stephen Fuhr. Simultaneously, the diplomatic mission navigates foreign policy challenges regarding Turkey's recent domestic crackdowns on civil society and 2SLGBTQ+ organizations, which test the federal government's stated balance of economic pragmatism and human rights values.

Russian oil exports by Arctic route jump amid world freight crisis, data shows

Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
Date: 2026-10-19 14:32:47.0
Tags: [National, Energy, Trade, Resources, Defence]

Russian oil exports through the Northern Sea Route (NSR) in 2026 increased by nearly 50 per cent compared to the previous year, with approximately 20 million barrels shipped from July to mid-October. Driven by global freight crises, wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, and disruptions in the Suez Canal, Strait of Hormuz, and Black Sea, Asian refiners turned to the Arctic shipping lane as a viable alternative. Gazprom Neft and Rosneft's Vostok Oil project contributed to the rising volumes, while Russian President Vladimir Putin projected total annual cargo turnover via the NSR to reach 70 million tonnes by the end of the decade.

Black Hawk down: Trump's trade war pauses Canadian helicopter deal

Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-14 08:00:00.0
Tags: [National, Defence, Trade]

The federal government of Prime Minister Mark Carney has quietly suspended a planned purchase of 16 UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters manufactured by Sikorsky, a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin, for Canada's special forces amid escalating trade and diplomatic tensions with the United States under the Trump administration. The acquisition, which had been cleared by the U.S. State Department via the Foreign Military Sales program, was halted prior to bilateral trade talks as part of a broader review of U.S. military procurement. Other American-sourced defence and technology projects—including F-35 stealth fighters, a Google cloud computing contract, and Raytheon training systems—are also facing review or delayed announcements as Ottawa evaluates options to reduce military reliance on the United States and prioritize domestic defence production.

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.

In UN address, Anand takes jab at 'great powers' disrupting global order

Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-09-26 22:48:15.0
Tags: [National, Trade, Defence, Foreign Affairs]

During her address to the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand criticized 'great powers' for walking away from global economic co-operation and treating state sovereignty with disdain. Echoing Prime Minister Mark Carney's middle-power strategy, Anand emphasized Canada's pursuit of strategic autonomy in emerging technologies, critical minerals, defence production, and energy to limit superpower coercion. Additionally, Anand highlighted Canada's foreign policy positions, including an ironclad commitment to the NATO alliance, a $100 million pledge for Palestine, support for the International Criminal Court, and advocacy for a just peace in Ukraine.