In 48 hrs, Canada applied to join two European architectures at once - one civilian, one military.
The latter didn’t get the coverage it deserved.
Overshadowed by pro-European fervour, and President Trump’s reaction to it as a “laughable” but “hostile” act (proof the pivot matters).
The American reaction also removed items of Canadian origin from the federal procurement system on the same day, including the Department of War.
But, let’s start from the top.
The last week was a remarkable one for Canada-EU integration.
First came Canada’s Investment Summit in Toronto, followed by Prime Minister Mark Carney’s visit to Strasbourg and the UK, and a meeting with President Macron in Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon, concluding the week hosting Norway.
Canada Investment Summit - a First Ever
Toronto hosted Canada’s first Canada Investment Summit with Canada Pension Plan and Public Sector Pension on 14-15 Sept.
This summit brought together hundreds of global investors from 30 countries managing more than $100T in assets and laid the foundation for new investment and strategic partnerships while accelerating existing ones; this resulted in nearly $500B in new investment commitments to Canada.
The folks at Build Canada had a great primer here.
More than 18 defence or dual use companies were included in the prospectus.
Canada ranks among the top destinations for foreign direct investment (FDI) confidence & FDI in Canada is at its highest level in decades.
Prime Minister Carney deepens ties with trusted allies
On Sept 16th, Carney met with the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Andy Burnham, for the first time.
Together they discussed shared priorities and ambition to unlock opportunities between the two countries: defence and security, energy, artificial intelligence, and critical minerals sectors.
The Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) and the Defence Security Resiliency Bank (DSRB) were on the agenda.
Since 2024, trade with the UK has grown significantly, reaching $85B a year.
Following the meeting (and a football match), PM Carney zigzagged back to Strasbourg.
The European relationship
Canada is diversifying its partnerships abroad, and Europe is the natural place to do it.
“In a more dangerous and divided world, Canada and our European partners are moving ever closer... Together, Canada and our European partners have the ambition and strength to create a more just, stable, and universally prosperous world.” Prime Minister Mark Carney
The EU is Canada’s 2nd largest trading partner for goods and services, worth roughly $178B in 2025.
It’s also Canada’s 2nd largest source of FDI after the US, with $217B in EU FDI in Canada and $315B in Canadian investment flowing the other way.
Prime Minister Carney’s trip builds on deepening ties since March 2025:
June 2025: Canada-EU Summit in Brussels (Belgium), Canada and the EU announced the New EU-Canada Strategic Partnership of the Future and the Security and Defence Partnership.
February 2026: Canada became the first non-European country to join the EU’s Security Action for Europe (SAFE) initiative (with a procurement in June).
May 2026: Prime Minister Carney became the first non-European leader to participate in the European Political Community Summit, in Armenia.
President von der Leyen raised the ceiling
In her State of the Union address, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed Canada become the EU’s first-ever “associate member”.
“I invite Canada to be the first associate member of the EU… We want to bring the relationship with Canada to the highest level possible.” Ursula von der Leyen
While Carney embraced the proposal for associate membership, there is little to base it on.
Radio Canada referred to Carney’s speech and reception as a when Irish eyes are smiling moment, this time capturing and setting the tone of generational change towards Canada-EU rapprochement.
The goodwill generated from Davos carried on through autographs, selfies and a near hero's reception.
And while fears of European overregulation abound, the population is behind the closer union.
Canada EU Trade and Investment Association (CEUTIA)’s Mark Camilerri called it a moonshot moment.
Neighbours, literally
Carney then headed to Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon, the French territory off the coast of Newfoundland, to meet President Macron.
This is the first official visit by a Canadian PM to the archipelago ever, where the heads of state discussed energy and defence partnerships. As well as a business alliance, and of course, the future between Canada and the EU.
Arctic neighbours
Followed by a visit by Norway’s prime minister, discussing arctic security and cooperation. They touched on negotiations for the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP) (Canada’s largest procurement program), where Norway’s Kongsberg, a contributor to the TKMS 212CD Combat Management System could play an important role.
NAV Canada, OSI and Vard were highlighted as examples of growing defence industrial cooperation.
Does Carney ever take a weekend off?
The second application
Less covered in the whirlwind was Canada’s ask to join the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF).
The roster: Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the UK itself.
By collaborating, training, and operating together, the JEF enhances collective capability and develops interoperability. The JEF can integrate into larger international operations such as those led by NATO, the UN or other security coalitions and can conduct the full spectrum of operations.
JEF delivers a capable, integrated joint force able to operate across domains and counter both conventional and hybrid challenges in the Arctic, North Atlantic, Scandinavia and the Baltic Sea Regions.
Canada could bring arctic operating experience, North Atlantic maritime capabilities (one day!) and a transatlantic perspective - strengthening its ability to secure NATO’s northern flank.
The take
A mega-investment summit followed by Brussels, Paris, London and Oslo in less than a week.
As far as Canadian foreign policy goes, it was a wild week.
And it was a two-part ask: closer union with the EU, as well as joining a northern military club.
P.S. Thanks for being one of 1,638 who committed to growing Canada-Europe relations with canadaxeurope on LinkedIn & Substack.
A good recap, I hope our Prime Minister takes the weekend off notwithstanding security briefings.