Prime Minister Mark Carney and French President Emmanuel Macron have committed to collaborating in the fields of space infrastructure, business, and economic development.
During a press conference on Sunday in the French territory of Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon, Carney announced that he and Macron will direct their respective space agencies and defense ministries to create and share joint infrastructure, which includes space launch systems and ground reception facilities.
Additionally, he mentioned that the regional joint cooperation commission between Atlantic Canada and Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon will be tasked with enhancing efforts in economic development, energy transition, and climate resilience.
Carney indicated that the chambers of commerce from both nations are uniting to strengthen ties within their business communities.
An agreement between the French and Canadian chambers of commerce is expected to be finalized in the upcoming weeks.
The Prime Minister arrived in Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon on Sunday for discussions with Macron. Upon his arrival, the two leaders shared a handshake and a hug, while several airport staff gathered nearby to capture photos and videos of the moment.
The leaders participated in a working lunch before attending a ceremony to lay wreaths at a memorial honoring the volunteers of Free France.
In December 1941, Free French forces peacefully liberated the islands from the Vichy regime, which had collaborated with Nazi Germany during World War II.
Macron was set to spend three days on the islands, located roughly 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 fly to New York on Monday, chose to accompany Macron for a visit that both countries described as a demonstration of unity 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 visit the territory in over ten years.
“In a world marked by a resurgence of power politics, geopolitical tensions, and new dependencies, France and Canada share a joint goal: to collaborate — along with all nations that uphold these values — in enhancing their ability to make independent decisions and take action,” a spokesperson for Macron’s office stated in an email.
Alain Di Crescenzo, President and CEO of the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry, remarked that strengthening the relationship with the Canadian Chamber of Commerce represents a “tangible step in our dedication to transforming a historic connection into real business prospects.”
“Our economies complement each other, and by leveraging these strengths, we can create shared value chains in key sectors for both countries’ businesses,” Di Crescenzo noted. “The trust that connects our nations is an asset that few commercial partnerships worldwide can claim — a strength we can build upon without hindering our exploration of other markets simultaneously.”
Candace Laing, President and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, mentioned that the organization has already begun to strengthen its relationships with the French business sector, including leading a trade mission of Canadian business leaders to Paris last June.
“We have many more such engagements lined up,” she stated.
The meeting between Carney and Macron occurs against a backdrop of heightened tensions with the United States for both Canada and Europe, as Canada and the European Union pursue a new and broader alliance.
On Wednesday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed her desire for Canada to become the first “associate member” of the European Union.
In her state of the union address to the European Parliament, she emphasized the necessity for both parties to “urgently reimagine” their partnership and evolve beyond a free trade agreement to elevate the relationship to the “highest possible level.”
Carney addressed the Parliament in Strasbourg, France, on Thursday, welcoming von der Leyen’s aspirations for a partnership with Canada.
He stated that while the specifics of the new arrangement are still to be defined, it will be subject to debate and a vote in Parliament. Carney expressed interest in expanding several connections, including opportunities for youth and a unified market for financial services.
Canada and Europe already maintain a free trade agreement — although it has yet to be ratified by all EU member states — and last year, Canada became the only non-European participant in the EU’s new defense procurement program.
Carney expressed a desire to strengthen ties with Europe shortly after becoming prime minister in March 2025, visiting Macron in Paris and King Charles in London just days after his inauguration.
On Sunday, he stated that the partnership between Canada and France is central to the deepening relationship with Europe.
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