Canada and EU expand trade, research and security cooperation

Canada and the EU launched the Alliance for the Future at their October 29–30 summit in Montréal, announcing more than 20 measures and opening negotiations on others.

Announced measures include:

• A concluded Canada-EU Digital Trade Agreement intended to make online sales and cross-border transactions easier for businesses.
• Canadian participation in a European supercomputing initiative, giving researchers, innovators and businesses access to JUPITER.
• Up to $2.5 billion in financing for Alberta-based De Havilland to expand waterbomber production.
• A contract worth more than $44 million for Montréal-based Galvion to supply military helmets to Latvia.
• A new treaty framework allowing the European Investment Bank to invest in Canadian critical-minerals projects.

Canada and the EU also concluded negotiations toward a competition agreement. They plan further talks on instant payments, banking and insurance access, Erasmus+ participation, and Canada joining the next Horizon Europe program.