Canada and the European Union begin a two-day summit in Montreal on 29 October, seeking a deeper partnership across trade, security and technology. Mark Carney will host European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
The leaders are expected to launch an “alliance for the future” and issue a joint statement at the end of the meeting. That is the announced objective, not confirmation that all its terms have already been agreed.
The agenda includes critical raw materials, digital cooperation, defence production, education and research. It builds on the strategic and trade agreements already linking the two sides and the security and defence partnership signed in June 2025.
The economic relationship is substantial: trade in goods and services was worth around €130 billion in 2025. The question now is how closer cooperation can translate into investment, more resilient supply chains and opportunities for businesses, rather than remain a broad diplomatic declaration.
Canada participates in the EU’s SAFE defence-financing instrument, another part of the existing relationship on which the meeting can build. Security discussions also include support for Ukraine, developments in the Middle East and cooperation in the Arctic.
The Canadian programme places business discussions and a leaders’ dinner on 29 October, with further summit activity on 30 October. The important test will be the published commitments and their implementation. This meeting should not be presented as Canada joining the EU or as proof that a new membership status has been legally created.
