Prime Minister Mark Carney and French President Emmanuel Macron have committed to collaborating on space infrastructure, business initiatives, and economic development.
During a press conference in the French territory of Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon on Sunday, Carney announced that he and Macron would direct their respective space agencies and defense ministries to create and share unified infrastructure, which includes space launch systems and ground reception facilities.
He also mentioned that the regional joint cooperation commission between Atlantic Canada and Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon would be tasked with enhancing its efforts in economic development, energy transition, and climate resilience.
Furthermore, Carney indicated that the chambers of commerce from both nations are working together to strengthen their business networks.
An agreement between the French and Canadian chambers of commerce is anticipated to be signed in the next few weeks.
On Sunday, Carney arrived in Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon to meet with Macron. The two leaders greeted each other warmly with handshakes and hugs as Carney disembarked from the plane, while airport staff gathered nearby to capture the moment with photos and videos.
Following their meeting, the leaders participated in a working lunch, which was followed by a ceremony to lay a wreath at a memorial honoring the volunteers of Free France.
In December 1941, Free French forces liberated the archipelago from the Vichy regime, which had collaborated with Nazi Germany during World War II.
Macron was scheduled to spend three days on the islands, located approximately 20 kilometers off the southern coast of Newfoundland and Labrador, before heading to New York City for the UN General Assembly.
Carney, who plans to travel to New York on Monday, chose to accompany Macron on what both nations described as a visit to showcase solidarity and mutual respect.
According to Macron’s office, Carney is the first Canadian prime minister to officially visit Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon, while Macron is the first French president to do so in over ten years.
A spokesperson for Macron’s office stated in an email, “In a world marked by a resurgence of power politics, geopolitical tensions, and new dependencies, France and Canada share a mutual ambition: to collaborate — and with all nations that uphold these values — to enhance their ability to make independent decisions and take action.”
Alain Di Crescenzo, President and CEO of the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry, remarked that strengthening relations with the Canadian Chamber of Commerce represents a “tangible step in our commitment to transforming a historic relationship into genuine business opportunities.”
Di Crescenzo added, “Our two economies provide real complementarities, and by leveraging these, we can create shared value chains in key sectors for businesses in both nations. The trust that already binds our two countries is a unique advantage that few commercial partnerships globally can claim — a strength we can utilize while also exploring other markets simultaneously.”
Candace Laing, President and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, stated that the organization has begun to deepen its connections with the French business community, which included leading a trade mission of Canadian business leaders to Paris last June.
“We have many more such initiatives planned,” she noted.
The discussions between Carney and Macron occur amidst rising tensions with the United States for both Canada and Europe, as efforts to forge a new and broader alliance between Canada and the European Union advance.
On Wednesday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed her desire for Canada to become the first “associate member” of the European Union.
During her state of the union address to the European Parliament, she emphasized the need for both sides to “urgently reimagine” their partnership and evolve beyond a free-trade agreement to elevate the relationship to the “highest level possible.”
Carney addressed the Parliament in Strasbourg, France, on Thursday, expressing his support for von der Leyen’s aspirations for Canadian collaboration.
He indicated that while the specifics of the new arrangement are yet to be defined, it will be subject to debate and a vote in Parliament. He expressed interest in enhancing various connections, including opportunities for youth and establishing an integrated market for financial services.
Canada and Europe currently benefit from a free trade agreement, although it has not yet been ratified by all EU member states. Last year, Canada became the only non-European nation to join the EU’s new defense procurement program.
Carney indicated his intention to strengthen ties with Europe soon after his appointment as prime minister in March 2025, when he visited Macron in Paris and King Charles in London shortly after taking office.
On Sunday, he stated that the partnership between Canada and France is central to its expanding relationship with Europe.
Download our free CBC News app to receive push alerts for CBC Newfoundland and Labrador. Sign up for our daily headlines newsletter here. Click here to visit our landing page.