Canada, Finland forge strategic pact on Arctic security, defence and emerging technologies

Canada and Finland agreed to expand cooperation in Arctic security, defence and advanced technologies following high-level talks in Ottawa, as Prime Minister Mark Carney and President Alexander Stubb outlined a joint strategy to strengthen economic and security ties.

A central focus of the agreement is the Arctic, where both countries pledged to deepen collaboration in research; education, including Indigenous-led initiatives; and knowledge exchange.

The leaders also committed to strengthening maritime safety and polar capabilities, building on existing cooperation in ice-capable vessels and climate-focused infrastructure.

Officials welcomed the signing of a Canada–Finland maritime memorandum of understanding to boost collaboration in shipbuilding, icebreaker development and marine technologies.

The agreement is expected to strengthen industrial ties and drive innovation across both countries’ maritime sectors.

As NATO allies, the countries reaffirmed their commitment to collective security and agreed to expand cooperation through joint training, intelligence-sharing and interoperability.

The two sides will also begin negotiations on a General Security of Information Agreement to facilitate deeper defence collaboration and industry partnerships.

Both countries reiterated support for Ukraine’s sovereignty amid Russia’s ongoing war, describing the conflict as central to European and transatlantic security.

They also committed to increasing defence and security spending to 5% of GDP by 2035, while exploring financing mechanisms to scale up defence production.

In the technology sector, Canada and Finland agreed to strengthen cooperation in artificial intelligence, quantum computing and high-performance computing, including expanded collaboration between research institutions and industry.

Critical minerals also featured prominently, with both sides pledging to enhance joint research and data-sharing to secure supply chains vital to emerging technologies, aligned with broader Canada–EU cooperation frameworks.

The visit, which included a delegation of Finnish business leaders, underscores growing economic and strategic ties as both countries seek to position themselves in a rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape.