OTTAWA, ON  , Oct. 25, 2026 /CNW/ -- For the past year and a half, Canada and the European Union have been working with speed and determination to forge an ambitious new partnership. One that leverages our complementary strengths and delivers greater certainty, security, and prosperity on both sides of the Atlantic. To advance this partnership, Canada will host the Canada-European Union (EU) Summit in Montréal, Québec, from October 29 to 30, 2026.

The opportunity is clear. The EU brings market power, research depth, and manufacturing strength. Canada brings abundant energy, critical minerals, world-class capabilities in space, artificial intelligence (AI), and quantum, and one of the world's strongest banking systems. At the Summit, Prime Minister Carney will work with the President of the European Council, António Costa, and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, to turn these complementary strengths into concrete benefits for our peoples. Together, we will deliver more choice and lower costs for consumers, new export markets for businesses, and greater opportunities for young people to live, work, and study where they want – in Canada or the EU.

The Summit will build on the momentum gained since last year's launch of the New EU-Canada Strategic Partnership of the Future and the Security and Defence Partnership. Since then, Canada has become the first non-European country to join the EU's SAFE initiative, unlocking hundreds of millions of dollars in opportunities and market access for Canadian defence industries, businesses, and workers. Prime Minister Carney has deepened Canada's engagement with European partners, becoming the first non-European leader to participate in the European Political Community Summit. He also addressed the European Parliament last month, where he set out his vision for a new alliance for the future. The 2026 Canada-EU Summit will move that vision from ambition to action.

Quote
"The world is more dangerous and divided. In response, Canada and the European Union are building on each other's strengths – deliberately, systematically, and rapidly – to form a new, ambitious alliance. An alliance that builds resilience for what it allows us to do for our citizens, and our citizens to do for themselves. An alliance strong enough so that no one can dictate our choices, and an alliance open enough that others can join."
— The Rt. Hon. Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada

Quick facts

• The Canada-EU relationship is the oldest formal relationship the EU has with any industrialised country, dating back to 1959.
• The EU is Canada's second‑largest global trading partner for goods and services, with a total value of approximately $178 billion in 2025.
• The EU is also Canada's second‑largest global source of foreign direct investment (FDI), after the United States. EU FDI stock in Canada was estimated at $219 billion in 2025, while Canadian direct investment in the EU totalled $315 billion.
• The last Canada-EU Summit was held on June 23, 2025, in Brussels, Belgium. At the Summit, Canada and the EU launched the New EU-Canada Strategic Partnership of the Future and signed the Security and Defence Partnership, laying the foundation for deeper cooperation across trade, technology, energy, and security.
• This year's Canada-EU Summit builds on several actions since March 2025 to strengthen and expand Canada's relationship with Europe, including:
  • In February 2026, Canada became the first non-European country to join the EU's Security Action for Europe (SAFE) initiative – unlocking hundreds of millions of dollars in opportunities and market access for Canadian defence industries, businesses, and workers.
  • In May 2026, the Prime Minister became the first non-European leader to participate in the European Political Community Summit, in Armenia – another example of Canada's growing role as a trusted partner to Europe.
  • In June 2026, Canada announced the first procurement secured through the SAFE initiative since becoming a member earlier this year. Under the agreement, Montréal-based Marconi Technologies will build made-in-Canada ORION tactical radios for the Polish Cyber Command.
  • Last month, Prime Minister Carney addressed the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, where he proposed a new, deeper, and more integrated Canada-EU partnership to strengthen collective resilience, strategic autonomy, and prosperity.

Associated link

• Canada and the European Union

This document is also available at https://pm.gc.ca

SOURCE Prime Minister's Office