Ottawa will only be obligated to financially contribute to specific European Union programs it decides to join as part of an expanded partnership with the EU, according to Canadian officials who briefed media on Oct. 28.
The comments come ahead of the Canada-EU Summit to be held Oct. 29–30 in Montreal, where the two sides are expected to announce an “Alliance for the Future” and advance discussions on closer ties on energy, business, defence, technology, critical minerals, and other shared interests.
Prime Minister Mark Carney has advocated for closer ties with the EU as he seeks to diversify non-U.S. trade, building on a previously reestablished strategic partnership signed in June 2025. …