A Canada-France relationship in the service of a fair, equitable international order based on respect for law

Canada and France maintain a solid relationship founded on common values, which are liberty, democracy, respect for human rights and the primacy of the rule of law. This relationship is based on strong ties between our peoples and cultures, the shared French language, and our ever closer and developed cooperation on economic, social and societal issues and in areas of defence, peace and security.

In a complex geopolitical context, marked by issues crucial to the future of the globe and international order, Canada and France are determined to work together to address them. Consequently, Canada and France have reaffirmed their commitment to building a safer, more peaceful world, to supporting an international order based on fair rules, and to promoting a transition to a low carbon economy so that everyone may reap the benefits of environmentally sustainable growth.

To this end, Canada and France are committed to:

• Supporting strong, responsible and transparent multilateralism to face global challenges. Both countries have reiterated their full support for the United Nations and the Secretary General of the United Nations in his efforts to make it stronger: Canada and France will support these efforts. Similarly, Canada and France will continue their dialogue, confirmed by the Canada-France Peacekeeping Roadmap adopted in October 2016.
• Working together to fight climate change. Canada and France will continue their joint work to guarantee an effective and operational implementation of the Paris Agreement, by uniting all stakeholders (civil society, governments and corporations).
• Promoting democratic values. With a strong shared attachment to these values, Canada and France have decided to promote and defend democracy both nationally and multilaterally. Canada and France support the organization of the Paris Peace Forum, which will be held in Paris in November 2018, to commemorate the centenary of the First World War.
• Promoting a free, open and rules-based trading system. By strengthening their economic and commercial ties through the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, Canada and France are also committed to promoting a vision of a global trade system based on an approach that is respectful of health and the environment, particularly under the World Trade Organization.
• Making gender equality a reality in all fields. Beyond their policies firmly committed to gender equality, Canada and France have undertaken to cooperate, as in the work under way in the Elsie Initiative, launched by Canada, to increase the meaningful participation of women in peacekeeping operations. In the continuation of their G7 presidencies (held by Canada this year and France in 2019), both countries have decided to maintain a special focus on gender equality. Finally, Canada and France will bilaterally organize a seminar for Canadian and French senior public officials dedicated to gender equality in public governance.

It is in this context of strengthened cooperation that visits have been made by the Prime Minister of Canada to France, in April 2018, and the President of the French Republic to Canada, in June 2018. These two visits made it possible to conclude:

• A Canada-France Climate and Environment Partnership;
• A Joint Declaration on Cultural Diversity and the Digital Space;
• A Canada-France Action Plan on International Assistance and Sustainable Development; and
• A Canada-France Statement on Artificial Intelligence.

In the area of defence, Canada and France have decided to hold a Franco-Canadian Defence Cooperation Council meeting, at ministerial level, by the end of 2018.

With a wish to expand bilateral ties and maintain this focus at the highest political level, Canada and France are committed to setting up a Franco-Canadian Council of Ministers, around the President of the French Republic and the Prime Minister of Canada. The Council of Ministers will meet every two years to report on this strengthened cooperation and to develop joint action.