A draft joint statement dated Sept. 22 says Canada and the EU plan cooperation on digital sovereignty, critical resources and the joint purchase of 50 De Havilland water bombers for use by 2030.
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A draft joint statement dated Sept. 22 lays out proposed steps for deeper Canada–European Union cooperation spanning digital security, critical resources and defence planning, ahead of a Canada–EU summit in Montreal at the end of October.
The document, described as an “alliance for the future,” says Ottawa and Brussels would work to let Canadian companies bid on cloud and artificial intelligence infrastructure contracts that are typically reserved for European companies, including through “associated country status for Canada” under the European Commission’s proposed Cloud and AI Development Act.
It also says Canada would join Europe’s Galileo satellite navigation system and that the statement would “wrap up” a deal aimed at facilitating European investment in Canadian critical minerals.
The draft further announces the joint purchase of 50 Canadian-made De Havilland water bombers, which it says would be ready for use in fighting wildfires in 2030.
The statement’s agenda is described as an effort to strengthen ties beyond trade and education and extend into areas such as military cooperation, alongside work to guard against a less reliable United States.
The draft document says Canada and the EU aim to “strengthen digital sovereignty” and align emerging regulatory frameworks through associated country status, including in order to reduce dependence on large technology platforms.
Patrick Leblond, an associate professor at the University of Ottawa, said in the context of the proposed partnership that the United States could try to prevent countries from reducing dependence on it.
Wendy Gilmour, vice-chair of the Conference of Defence Associations Institute, said there could be hurdles in getting Canadian businesses to redirect from a familiar U.S. market toward working within a European regulatory environment.
The Canada–EU summit is scheduled for Oct. 29 and 30 in Montreal, with Prime Minister Mark Carney to host European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and European Council president António Costa along with other EU leaders.
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