Joint Cooperation Committee Report on the State of the EU-Canada Relationship (March 2023 to February 2025)

Introduction
- 1.1 Institutional framework and key deliverables
- 1.2 Provisional application
Effective multilateralism and international peace and security
Human rights, democracy and the rule of law
Key geopolitical issues
Development cooperation, disaster resilience and emergency preparedness
- 5.1 Development cooperation
- 5.2 Responding to emergencies, disasters and humanitarian crises
Justice, freedom and security
Trade and economic relations
Energy, climate and environment
Knowledge, research, innovation and digital
Citizen well-being
- 10.1 Health
- 10.2 Employment, social affairs and decent work

1. Introduction

Canada and the European Union (EU) share a robust and strategic partnership dating back to 1959, spanning a broad spectrum of cooperation on foreign policy, security, trade, economic, innovation and development issues. Our relationship reflects a shared commitment to preserve and promote the rules-based international order, while protecting and promoting human rights, democracy, the rule of law, effective multilateralism and open trade. With over 65 years of cooperation, Canada and the EU have built a strong and dynamic partnership to work together effectively in a shifting global landscape, making a positive difference for Canadians and EU citizens. Our efforts contribute to more secure communities, a safer and more inclusive space for our citizens, a healthier planet as a result of efforts towards a net-zero emissions economy by 2050, increased trade, and new ways for our citizens to engage in innovative research opportunities together.

1.1 Institutional framework and key deliverables

Since the provisional application of the Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA) in 2017, Canada and the EU have strengthened their cooperation in a wide range of policy areas. This fourth report of the Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) provides an overview of the state of the Canada-EU relationship and takes stock of key achievements, initiatives and high-level meetings that have taken place since the previous JCC, held on March 9, 2023, in Brussels, Belgium. It highlights the breadth and depth of our cooperation and aims to inform the Joint Ministerial Committee and the public about the state of the relationship.

Canada and the EU have taken concrete steps to deepen cooperation, to provide new opportunities to Canadians and EU citizens, and to positively contribute to global challenges, including the climate crisis, international security and prosperity.

Over the past 2 years, the global geopolitical context has been fluid, complex and multifaceted. The world is facing compounding crises, from Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and a deteriorating situation in the Middle East to the impacts of climate change and the loss of our shared biodiversity, new challenges posed by emerging technologies, and evolving threats to the rules-based international order and democracy. Ongoing work to increase coordination on priorities, including through foreign policy tools such as sanctions, Canadian participation in EU Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) missions and EU electoral observation missions demonstrate the unity between Canada and the EU in promoting and safeguarding our core values.

To build on the close and enduring relationship between Canada and the EU, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, visited Canada in March 2023. The Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, and President von der Leyen set out an ambitious agenda of shared priorities, including maintaining a robust response to Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine, fighting climate change and accelerating clean innovation, pursuing energy security and sustainable economic growth, and promoting women’s economic empowerment.

Following this meeting, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, President of the European Council Charles Michel and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen met in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, from November 23 to 24, 2023, for a Leaders’ Summit and made forward-looking announcements that reflect deepening bilateral cooperation in key areas:

The leaders announced the establishment of a Green Alliance to reinforce bilateral cooperation on climate action, environmental and ocean protection, energy transition, sustainable agriculture, industrial transformation, and research and innovation. The Green Alliance builds on existing collaboration mechanisms while promoting new opportunities to enhance cooperation on priority and emerging issues.
The leaders launched a Digital Partnership to strengthen engagement on digital transformation and governance in a rapidly changing world. The Digital Partnership builds on an already strong foundation of cooperation, with a focus on artificial intelligence, research and innovation, and greater cooperation on secure international connectivity and cyber security.
The leaders announced the completion of negotiations that have since led to Canada’s association with the EU’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme. This agreement creates new opportunities for Canadian and European science communities to strengthen cooperation and access research funding in order to work together on global challenges. With the implementation of this agreement, Canadians gain greater access to the opportunities provided by Horizon Europe, including over €95 billion from 2021 to 2027. Canada also participates in the program’s decision-making processes.
The leaders also announced their intention to hold a bilateral dialogue on economic security to enable closer cooperation and exchange of information on both the overall strategic approach to economic security and specific tools and topics of shared concern.

Prime Minister Trudeau, President of the European Council António Costa and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen recently met in Brussels, Belgium, on February 12, 2025. They emphasized the importance of Canada-EU cooperation (including in the context of Canada’s G7 Presidency) to address current opportunities and challenges in a complex, competitive and unpredictable world. In the run-up to the 3-year anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the leaders reaffirmed their unwavering support for Ukraine as it continues to resist Russia’s unjustifiable war of aggression. They also discussed the importance of working together to promote global economic security and stability.

Consistent with this commitment, trade and economic relations between Canada and the EU maintained a growth trajectory over the past 7 years. Despite profound global economic disruptions, Canada-EU bilateral goods and services trade achieved record levels over the past 3 years, strengthened and facilitated by the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), which has been provisionally applied since September 2017.

In addition, through the completion of an agreement on the transfer of passenger name records data, Canada and the EU are providing strong privacy protections for passengers while also advancing Canada and the EU’s joint efforts to combat terrorism and serious transnational crime.

1.2 Provisional application

The SPA has been provisionally applied since April 1, 2017. To date, 24 EU member states have ratified the SPA, which will enter into force fully once all 27 member states have ratified the Agreement at the national level.

Alongside CETA, which strengthens trade and investment, the SPA lays out a robust cooperation framework that allows us to:

achieve a fairer and greener digital transition
build an economy that works for people and enhance our economic resilience
achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 and protect our planet
promote international peace, security and our shared democratic values
improve the health and well-being of our citizens
strengthen justice, freedom and security

The SPA is governed by 2 bodies:

The Joint Cooperation Committee
The Joint Ministerial Committee

According to the SPA, the Joint Cooperation Committee:

recommends priorities for cooperation between the parties
monitors developments in the strategic relationship between the parties
exchanges views and makes suggestions on any issues of common interest
makes recommendations for efficiencies, greater effectiveness and synergies between the parties
ensures that the Agreement operates properly
provides an annual report to the Joint Ministerial Committee on the state of the relationship, which the parties shall make public

2. Effective multilateralism and international peace and security

2.1 Multilateral cooperation

Canada and the EU remain steadfast in their belief that multilateral cooperation provides the best means to peacefully resolve pressing issues facing the global community. Canada and the EU continue to coordinate closely on efforts to support, transform and strengthen the multilateral system—including its main body, the UN—across the 3 pillars of the UN Charter: peace and security, sustainable development, and human rights. Canada and the EU coordinated closely throughout negotiations for the Summit of the Future’s Pact for the Future, which was adopted by consensus by world leaders in September 2024. Canada also worked with the EU on issues of accountability, with the goal of ending impunity and promoting adherence to international law. Canada and the EU are closely aligned in their ambition to advance sustainable development and are leading international partners in efforts to accelerate the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as part of Agenda 2030. Canada and the EU continue to be strongly committed to the UN framework of responsible state behaviour in cyberspace, grounded in the application of international law and norms of responsible state behaviour. In this context, Canada and the EU have worked together to promote the establishment of the UN Cyber Programme of Action to advance and support states in the implementation of the UN Framework. Canada and the EU also actively coordinate across the range of multilateral bodies to advance shared interests and priorities, in addition to discussing and exchanging information ahead of elections and appointments to multilateral bodies.

As G7 and G20 members, Canada and the EU cooperate closely through various G7 mechanisms. Canada and the EU are committed to implementing G7 initiatives and continue to work closely together during Canada’s G7 presidency in 2025, building on the results of the Italian G7 presidency in 2024. Similar continuous cooperation is also important within the work of the G20 and is ongoing during the 2025 South African G20 presidency.

2.2 Security and defence cooperation

Canada and the EU remain committed to strong cooperation in security and defence. During the reporting period, Canada and the EU launched discussions on a Canada-EU security and defence partnership. They also held annual security and defence dialogues at the senior official level, which created opportunities for increased coordination and collaboration. With the threat landscape growing more complex, Canada and the EU have enhanced exchanges on cyber issues in the context of international security, including through dedicated cyber consultations. Canada has continued its participation in the EU civilian police mission in the West Bank (EUPOL COPPS) and deployed a visiting expert to the EU mission in Armenia (EUMA).

Canada and the EU continue to advance their military cooperation. Both the Canadian training mission Ukraine (OP UNIFIER) and the EU military assistance mission Ukraine (EUMAM) share common goals and provide complimentary training assistance to the Ukrainian military. Canada joined a second EU Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) project on logistics hubs in April 2024, in addition to the military mobility project that Canada already participates in.

Canada and the EU recognize NATO as the primary collective defence organization for members of the Alliance and continue to encourage increased cooperation between the EU and NATO to further benefit from the experience and expertise of each organization, in full respect of the principles set out in the EU treaties and by the European Council, without prejudice to the specific character of the security and defence policy of certain member states and taking into account the security and defence interests of all EU member states.

In March 2024, Canada hosted the eighth iteration of the Canada-EU Security and Defence Dialogue in Ottawa. The event highlighted once again the significant convergence of interests between Canada and the EU and shared perspectives and approaches towards key global and regional issues.

2.3 Sanctions

In the reporting period, Canada and the EU strengthened collaboration on restrictive measures (sanctions), including by sharing information on proposed listings, export restrictions and financial sanctions; discussing best practices; and exchanging on mitigation measures for potential unintended negative impacts. Canada and the EU have acted jointly on multiple occasions, including by announcing restrictive measures targeting individuals and entities in Iran, Myanmar, Russia and Belarus.

In 2024, 2 editions of the Canada-EU Sanctions Dialogue were held (in Ottawa in April and Brussels in October). The forum was an opportunity to share information and respective considerations related to sanctions and continue collaboration to strengthen shared priorities. Canada also participated in the second edition of the EU Open-Source Intelligence Training in September, which was organized by the EU.

Canada continues to participate in the biannual Senior Sanctions Coordinator Forum hosted by the EU (September 2023, February 2024 and September 2024) to enhance collaboration on restrictive measures with key partners.

Canada and the EU have cooperated closely on sanctions compliance. Through the G7, Canada and the EU share information and look for areas of collaboration to increase sanctions compliance in their respective jurisdictions. Close coordination with like-minded partners when possible, in particular through the Sanctions Coordinators Forum (SCF), is essential to maximize the effectiveness of sanctions.

2.4 Counterterrorism

Canada and the EU remain close and like-minded partners in the global fight against terrorism. Multilaterally, Canada and the EU continue to participate in the Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF), with a common interest in and approach towards international counterterrorism cooperation. In February 2024, the EU extended its tenure as co-chair of the GCTF until 2025. Canada and the EU also participate in the G7 Roma-Lyon Group, where they regularly exchange policy and operational practices on countering terrorism and violent extremism and work closely in the UN to advance shared priorities with respect to human rights, civil society, inclusion and gender-responsive approaches. Canada and also contributes to the Global Coalition against Daesh with the EU and looks forward to the next Canada-EU Counterterrorism Dialogue. As part of the external dimension of the European Programme for Critical Infrastructure Protection, Canada and the EU exchange information and good practices.

3. Human rights, democracy and the rule of law

3.1 Human rights

Canada and the EU continue to join forces to promote human rights globally. In the UN General Assembly Third Committee, Canada and the EU’s priorities and strategies are closely aligned. The EU supported the Canada-led resolutions on the human rights situation in Iran and on child, early and forced marriage, which many EU member states also co-sponsored. Canada supported the EU-led resolutions on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), freedom of religion or belief, and the human rights situation in Myanmar. Canada and the EU have joined forces to support the resolution on the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine and to oppose the resolution on the glorification of Nazism. At the last United Nations General Assembly, Canada co-sponsored several resolutions among the EU priorities (freedom of religion or belief, death penalty moratorium). Canada and the EU have acted in concert on country-specific resolutions in the Human Rights Council, such as EU-led resolutions on Afghanistan, Belarus, DPRK, Eritrea, Ethiopia/Tigray and Ukraine, while the EU and EU member states supported or co-sponsored resolutions led by Canada and several Latin American countries on Venezuela and Nicaragua. Canada and the EU supported thematic human rights resolutions in both UN forums, including on the death penalty moratorium, violence against women and girls, sexual orientation, and gender identity.

Canada and the EU meet on a yearly basis to discuss human rights, democracy and the rule of law in their domestic and foreign policies. The last Canada-EU human rights consultations, held in June 2024, showed a high level of alignment on human rights. The 2 partners often act in concert on both geographic and thematic issues such as advocating for democracy, freedom of expression and the rule of law. The themes discussed included gender equality, women’s rights, the human rights of LGBTI persons and persons with disabilities, and country priorities at the Human Rights Council and United Nations General Assembly. Other topics included the death penalty, the rights of Indigenous Peoples, the right to development, media freedom and freedom of religion or belief.

Canada was strongly supportive of the EU’s resolution on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan adopted in October 2024 by the Human Rights Council, in addition to welcoming the EU’s resolution on extending the Special Rapporteur’s mandate in Afghanistan to properly report on the human rights situation.

Canada and the EU continued to cooperate on promoting and protecting freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) globally. Canada and the EU remain valuable partners in the International Contact Group on FoRB, an informal group of over 20 cross-regional countries and international organizations focused on exchanging information and best practices, discussing emerging issues and facilitating joint advocacy, policy and programming responses to FoRB-related issues. Canada founded and co-chairs the International Contact Group on Freedom of Religion or Belief (ICG-FoRB), organizing biannual in-person and hybrid meetings in Geneva and New York. Canada also organized coordination calls on an ad hoc basis throughout the year, most recently during the 56^th Session of the Human Rights Council in June 2024 to coordinate negotiations on Resolution 53/1, Countering religious hatred constituting incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence, presented by the OIC group. Wide cross-regional mobilization and outreach to the OIC countries led to a withdrawal of the draft by the OIC. At the UN Human Rights Council, Canada is a traditional co-sponsor of the EU resolution on freedom of religion or belief.

Deborah Lyons, Canada’s Special Envoy on Preserving Holocaust Remembrance and Combatting Antisemitism, engaged with the European External Action Service (EEAS) and the European Commission’s Coordinator on Combatting Antisemitism and Fostering Jewish Life, Katharina Von Schnurbein, as well as experts on the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA) in April 2024 for exchanges of best practice. The EU’s Handbook for the practical use of the IHRA working definition of antisemitism, published in 2021, was instrumental in guiding the development and launch of Canada’s Handbook on the IHRA working definition of antisemitism in October 2024. In November 2023, with global events causing an exacerbation of anti-Muslim hatred, Canada, through its Special Representative on Combatting Islamophobia, Amira Elghawaby, worked alongside the European Commission’s Coordinator on combating anti-Muslim hatred, Marion Lalisse, to craft and sign the Joint Statement of the Coordinators, Special Representatives, Envoy and Ambassadors on Combating Anti-Muslim Hatred and Discrimination.

3.2 Foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI)

Canada and the EU continued close cooperation on countering FIMI, a global and growing security threat to the EU, Canada and other democracies. Through the G7 Rapid Response Mechanism (G7 RRM), like-minded partners (including both the EU and Canada) are working to push back on those threats, especially by raising costs for the perpetrators. Canada chairs the G7 RRM and serves as its permanent secretariat, while the EU is actively engaged in and shaping the work of the G7 RRM. For example, as Chair of the G7 RRM’s Collective Response Working Group, the EU is leading efforts to develop a G7 RRM Collective Response Framework on foreign information manipulation and interference by the end of 2024, as tasked by the G7 leaders. Outside of the G7 RRM, the EEAS and Global Affairs Canada actively amplify each other’s FIMI exposure efforts, as appropriate.

3.3 Democracy and election observation missions

Canada and the EU remain committed to the protection and support of democracy worldwide. Since March 2023, Canada has deployed short- and long-term observers to 8 EU election observation missions (EOMs), namely in Mozambique, Senegal, Guatemala, Maldives, Liberia, Paraguay, Zimbabwe and Sierra Leone.

4. Key geopolitical issues

4.1 Ukraine

Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine, which violates the most fundamental principles of international law and the UN Charter, is deeply concerning and a central issue of shared importance for Canada and the EU.

Canada and the EU have imposed targeted sanctions against Russia, which reduce the Kremlin’s capacity to wage war against Ukraine. Both Canada and the EU strongly condemned support by third countries and actors and entities therein, which enable Russia to sustain its war of aggression against Ukraine. Since 2022, Canada and the EU have collectively imposed over 5,300 sanctions against individuals and entities for their role in undermining Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty and for grave human rights violations. Furthermore, a wide range of economic measures have been taken to disrupt Russia’s military-industrial complex and war machine. Canada and the EU have prepared and implemented sanctions in close coordination with each other and a broad range of international partners (notably other G7 members) to ensure maximum impact and to limit Russia’s ability to evade sanctions through other jurisdictions.

In 2024, significant developments were made on the G7 Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration Loans. G7 Leaders have agreed to keep Russian sovereign assets (RSAs) in their jurisdictions immobilized until Russia pays for the damage it continues to inflict on Ukraine.

At the June 2024 G7 Summit in Apulia, Italy, the G7 agreed to develop an Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration (ERA) Loans program for Ukraine to make approximately US$50 billion in additional funding immediately available for use. G7 finance ministers agreed on the technical arrangements for implementing the ERA Loans program at their October 2024 meeting. Canada has committed Can$5 billion to the ERA Loans initiative. To fulfill its commitment, the EU has launched a Ukraine Loan Cooperation Mechanism (ULCM), which will include an exceptional EU macro-financial assistance (MFA) loan worth up to €18 billion. The ULCM will be financed from future flows of extraordinary revenues stemming from immobilized RSAs, as well as from amounts received as voluntary contributions from member states, third countries and other sources.

Canada and the EU are committed to recovery and reconstruction efforts in Ukraine and have adopted a comprehensive approach to this work. The Multi-agency Donor Coordination Platform (renamed the Ukraine Donor Platform in September 2024) was launched in January 2023 to coordinate support for Ukraine’s immediate financing needs and future economic recovery and reconstruction. So far, the Platform, of which both Canada and the EU are members, has brought together 23 permanent and temporary members and observers and 7 participants, including international financial institutions and organizations. In October 2024, the 11^th Steering Committee Meeting of the Ukraine Donor Platform took place in Rome, where members discussed Ukraine’s budget financing needs, public financial management for recovery and reconstruction, and reforms. It welcomed the Business Advisory Council’s first set of recommendations and committed to strengthening their regular engagement with Ukraine’s civil society. An official from Global Affairs Canada is currently deployed as a national expert in the Secretariat of the Ukraine Donor Platform, located in Brussels, Belgium, and hosted at the European Commission.

Canada and the EU reiterate their support for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace based on the principles of the UN Charter and international law, in line with the key principles and objectives of Ukraine’s Peace Formula, including through diplomatic outreach. Both welcomed the Summit on Peace in Ukraine, which was held in Switzerland from June 15 to 16, 2024, and endorsed the summit’s Joint Communiqué.

In October 2024, Canada hosted a Ministerial Conference on the Human Dimension of Ukraine’s 10-Point Peace Formula. During the conference, ministers exchanged views with the aim of developing a concrete plan, guided by the principles of international human rights and humanitarian law, for the return of prisoners of war and deported civilians and children back to Ukraine.

Canada and the EU have worked together to support Ukraine’s security, defence and resilience, as well as reconstruction and reforms. At the same time, Canada and the EU stress the importance of transatlantic cooperation in ensuring security and stability in the Black Sea.

The Russian regime has weaponized the information environment, consistently deploying disinformation to advance its political, military and trade objectives. Foreign interference threats, such as disinformation and other forms of information manipulation, are evolving rapidly. Canada and the EU take these threats seriously and actively drive multilateral coordination to counter them through the G7 Rapid Response Mechanism (G7 RRM). Canada and the EU have taken concrete actions to counter Russian disinformation activities and issued statements condemning these activities, reinforcing a commitment to upholding democratic integrity against disinformation and false narratives. As hybrid and cyber threats continue to be an integral part of Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine and ongoing hybrid warfare against the Euro-Atlantic community, Canada and the EU have stepped up coordination, including on providing civilian cyber support to Ukraine, for example including through the Tallinn Mechanism.

Canada and the EU continue to support neighbouring countries affected by Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and overall hybrid activities, including the Republic of Moldova. While the Republic of Moldova’s economy and energy security have been particularly impacted by the war, the country has made generous humanitarian efforts to assist refugees from Ukraine. Canada and the EU commend the authorities of the Republic of Moldova for the successful conduct of the presidential elections and the referendum on enshrining EU accession in their constitution, despite massive interference and an unprecedented hybrid campaign run by Russia and its proxies to undermine the country’s democratic institutions and derail its European path. Canada and the EU welcome the commitment of the citizens of the Republic of Moldova to European integration, stand in full solidarity with the Republic of Moldova, and will continue to cooperate to support its stability, security, resilience, territorial integrity and sovereignty, as well as its reform efforts on its European path.

4.2 Middle East

The ongoing situation in the Middle East is another central shared preoccupation of Canada and the EU. Since October 2023, Canada and the EU have contributed to the diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the conflicts and to provide humanitarian aid for civilians in Gaza and Lebanon. Canada and the EU have worked together in support of UNRWA and the provision of its essential services, as well as in promoting stability and lowering tensions in the West Bank. Canada and the EU have also imposed sanctions on individuals and entities for their role in supporting Hamas and terrorist activities in the Middle East region, violence by extremist settlers against Palestinians, settlement activities in the West Bank and activists blocking humanitarian aid to Gaza.

This alignment between Canada and the EU in favour of a 2-state solution and against an escalation into regional conflict found expression in G7 declarations, namely the 2024 Foreign Ministers’ Statement on the Situation in the Middle East from April 2024 and the G7 Leaders’ Statement on recent developments in the Middle East from October 2024, as well as a foreign ministers’ statement at the end of November 2024 and January 2025 leaders statement on the ceasefire agreement. On Syria, Canada and the EU are supporting the achievement of a genuine and inclusive political transition, in line with the UN Security Council resolution (UNSCR) 2254. Following the fall of the Assad Regime, both Canada and the EU released statements reaffirming support for the Syrian people and emphasizing the need to abstain from further violence and protect minorities in this period of transition.

On Lebanon, Canada and the EU joined G7 and other countries in a statement calling for a ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel and voicing their support for the ceasefire that was reached. In October 2024, Canada supported EU citizens with assisted departures from Lebanon on Canadian chartered flights. Both Canada and the EU put in place sanctions relating to Lebanon and have held discussions on the issue. Canada and the EU are both actively supporting the Lebanese Armed Forces and participated in the Paris Ministerial Conference in support of Lebanon and its people on October 24, 2024.

Canada and the EU have each imposed autonomous sanctions on Iranian individuals and entities in response to Iran’s human rights violations and continue to discuss further coordination. Additionally, through the G7, we have issued joint statements condemning Iran’s destabilizing actions, including its support for proxy groups, missile transfers to Russia and attacks on Israel.

4.3 China

Canada and the EU have maintained close contact to address common concerns and challenges in relation to China, including with respect to rules-based international trade and economic coercion, while also exploring ways to engage and deepen cooperation with China on key global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, global health, nuclear proliferation and sustainable development in line with their respective interests and policy approaches. Canada and the EU are committed to consultation and cooperation in relation to China, guided by shared values and interests and aiming at coherence and impact. This entails addressing all aspects of Canada and the EU’s respective relations with China, including responsible management of the challenges China poses based on a range of interests and principles and on respect for international law and human rights.

Amid China’s increasing pressure on Taiwan and military activity in the Taiwan Strait, Canada and the EU maintained their engagement and cooperation with Taiwan in the framework of their respective One China policies. Based on their mutual interest in preserving the status quo in the Taiwan Strait, Canada and the EU continued to voice their concerns in contacts with China and stepped up coordination with like-minded partners.

4.4 Indo-Pacific

Canada and the EU share the assessment that a free, open, inclusive and resilient Indo-Pacific region is vital to global stability and prosperity. As such, Canada and the EU are deeply concerned about any action that can negatively affect stability and security in the South China Sea. Canada and the EU will work together with allies and regional partners, including ASEAN member states, to ensure full respect of international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Canada and the EU continue to cooperate through regular exchanges on sustainable development and prosperity, climate change and biodiversity ocean governance, digital governance, connectivity, and security and defence, among other issues.

Canada and the EU regularly engage on the Indo-Pacific region to promote a free, open and rules-based Indo-Pacific that is inclusive, prosperous and secure. They also work to enhance practical cooperation consistent with Canada and the EU’s respective Indo-Pacific strategies, in accordance with the concept of ASEAN centrality and the Pacific Islands Forum’s 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.

4.5 Latin America and the Caribbean

The situation in Haiti continues to deteriorate due to the surge in violence linked to criminal gangs, political instability and an economic crisis compounded by growing inflation. Canada and the EU remain committed to providing support to address shared development priorities and the growing humanitarian needs and will continue to support efforts to fight impunity and corruption, restore security, and create the necessary conditions for democratic elections.

In September 2024, during the United Nations High-Level Week, the EU committed €10 million alongside Canada’s existing Can$86.2 million contribution to support the Multinational Security Support Mission (MSSM). Canada’s support to the MSSM is an essential complement to its funding to build the capacity of the Haitian National Police (HNP), fight the gangs and reestablish the rule of law, address illicit and criminal activities, disrupt transnational criminal organizations, and fight illicit trafficking. The EU’s participation in the Canadian-led International Security Assistance Coordination Group since its creation in June 2023 also contributes to better coordinated international security assistance aimed at increasing the capacity of the HNP and the overall security sector in Haiti.

Canada and the EU support Venezuelan-led efforts to find a peaceful and democratic solution to the protracted crisis in the country, recently made worse by the repression following the contested official results of the July 2024 presidential election. Both Canada and the EU have consistently called for transparency and the respect of human rights and the will of the Venezuelan people to be heeded, as expressed through their votes. Canada’s and the EU’s shared values have been reflected in different statements and resolutions to promote human rights and fundamental freedoms in Venezuela, notably in the context of the UN Human Rights Council. Canada and the EU have provided significant humanitarian and development assistance to support the people of Venezuela, both inside Venezuela and across the region. In addition to participating in the donors’ coordination group in Venezuela and the Group of Friends of the Quito Process, Canada and the EU have collaborated to mobilize significant international assistance to Venezuelan refugees and migrants, as well as to their host countries and communities. In March 2023, Canada and the EU co-hosted the International Conference in Solidarity with Venezuelan Refugees and Migrants, which successfully brought together 280 participants and raised US$872 million in donor pledges for the response to Venezuelan displacement.

Canada and the EU continue to collaborate as members of the Comprehensive Regional Protection and Solutions Framework (MIRPS) Support Platform, an initiative of 7 Latin American governments supported by the Organization of American States, the United Nations Refugee Agency, and the International Organization for Migration. MIRPS promotes regional cooperation and responsibility-sharing, in addition to strengthening protections and enhancing solutions for refugees, displaced persons and returnees.

4.6 Africa

Alongside other international and regional partners and countries in the region, Canada and the EU continue to coordinate their actions in the Sahel to improve security, foster the protection of human rights and contribute to sustainable development.

Canada and the EU continue to share concerns about the presence of Russian-affiliated military and paramilitary security forces fuelling the cycle of violence in several Sahel countries, driving migration and eroding already weak governance structures, and to highlight their nefarious impacts on the population in terms of human rights abuses. Canada and the EU are active members of the Coalition for the Sahel, which recognizes the need for enhanced coordination between international partners in the region.

Canada and the EU also worked together to train civilian security actors in the region until the end of 2023. Between 2019 and 2021, Canada was a third-party contributor to the EU’s Capacity Building Mission in Mali (EUCAP Sahel) to support capacity building and stability efforts in the region. To support African partners’ response to the expanding terrorist threat from the Sahel towards coastal West African countries, Canada and the EU have also respectively contributed Can$1.5 million and €10 million to the International Academy for the Fight Against Terrorism in Côte d’Ivoire.

5. Development cooperation, disaster resilience, and emergency preparedness

5.1 Development cooperation

Canada and the EU are closely aligned in their ambition to advance sustainable development and to play a leadership role in efforts to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Canada and the EU collaborate on an ongoing basis through multilateral forums like the G7, G20 and OECD-DAC, as well as bilaterally through annual Development Policy Dialogues, last held in December 2024 at the senior official level.

The Canada-EU Development Dialogue has been an opportunity to strengthen this relationship and deepen cooperation on respective development priorities. To follow up on Canada’s Together for Learning Summit and the Transforming Education Summit, this partnership has spotlighted the importance of inclusive and quality education focusing on youth and girls’ education and empowerment, as well as education in fragile and displacement contexts. At the country level, joint efforts have focused on collective engagement at the Global Partnership for Education and Education Cannot Wait by integrating gender equality considerations into these key strategic education funds.

At the Canada-EU Summit in November 2023, leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the G7 Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII), to collaboration in the Pacific Islands, and to the Just Energy Transition Partnerships (JETP) in Senegal.

5.2 Responding to emergencies, disasters and international humanitarian crises

As like-minded humanitarian donors, Canada and the EU continue to contribute significant international humanitarian assistance to respond to disasters and humanitarian crises, collaborating and coordinating efforts in many contexts. In Ukraine, Canada and the EU have worked with international organizations such as the UN Refugee Agency, the International Committee of the Red Cross, the World Food Programme and the Multi-Agency Donor Coordination Platform in order to ensure a robust response to Ukraine’s needs. Canada has appreciated and welcomes further collaboration with the EU to address needs worldwide, including through response tools such as the EU Humanitarian Air Bridge. As agreed at the Canada-EU Summit, a dedicated new humanitarian dialogue took place on the margins of the European Humanitarian Forum in March 2024. Discussions focused on shared priorities and approaches and identified areas for collaboration on system reform, including through the Humanitarian Aid Donors’ Declaration on Climate and Environment subsequently signed by Canada on June 25, 2024.

Regarding natural disasters, Canada is grateful for the support provided through the EU’s Civil Protection Mechanism in response to forest fires in Canada in the summer of 2023. In November 2023, Canada and the EU signed an administrative arrangement on emergency management activities to improve the sharing of information and best practices in prevention, preparedness and response.

In Brussels, on October 4, 2024, Mary Ng, Canada’s Minister for Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development, and Janez Lenarčič, European Commissioner for Crisis Management, celebrated the purchase by a number of European member states of 22 De Havilland Canadair 515 aircraft to augment the EU’s aerial firefighting fleet, including 12 for the EU rescEU reserve. These cutting-edge aircraft will be critical to addressing the increased prevalence of wildfires across Europe and protecting nature and communities faced with the impacts of climate change.

6. Justice, freedom and security

6.1 Passenger name record agreement

At the November 2023 Canada-EU Summit, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that Canada and the EU had concluded the long-standing negotiations for a new Agreement on the Transfer and Processing of Passenger Name Record (PNR) data. In October 2024, the Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs, Dominic LeBlanc, and the European Commissioner for Migration and Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson, signed the Agreement in Mirabella Eclano, Italy, on the margins of the G7 Interior Ministers’ Meeting. Once in force, the new Agreement will provide strong privacy protections for passengers while also advancing Canada and the EU’s joint efforts to combat terrorism and serious transnational crime. Canada and the EU will continue to support each other as both parties work towards ratifying and implementing the Agreement. The agreement forms a legal basis for the transfer and use of PNR data from flights departing from the EU and reinforces law enforcement cooperation between Canada and EU partners, thereby contributing to the overall strengthening of the international and national security, border security measures and public safety.

6.2 Migration and asylum

Cooperation between Canada and the EU on migration, refugee protection and integration continued to grow over the past year. Canada appreciated its participation in many EU-wide discussions on migration issues, such as the High-Level Policy Forum and Ministerial Conference on the Integration of Newcomers in February 2024.

In November 2023, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and the European Commission Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs (DG HOME) held their regular Joint Consultations on Migration and Asylum (JCMA) in Ottawa. The 2023 JCMA included discussions on shared priorities, including migration responses to crises, economic migration and complementary pathways.

Canada and the EU also cooperate on the Global Refugee Sponsorship Initiative (GRSI), a multi-sectoral partnership involving the UN Refugee Agency, the Government of Canada, and non-governmental and philanthropic organizations to provide policy and operational advice to countries designing and implementing community sponsorship programs. Through the GRSI, Canada and the EU work with other GRSI partners to host events on community sponsorship aimed at fostering connections and building ties across Europe to support the development of community sponsorship programs. The latest event, called Building Resilient Community Sponsorship Programs in Europe and Beyond, took place in October 2023 at the Mission of Canada to the European Union in Brussels. Canada co-organized the workshop with GRSI partners, the UN Refugee Agency, and the Pathways International–University of Ottawa Refugee Hub partnership, as well as the European Commission and the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA). In December 2023, the European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson joined IRCC Minister Marc Miller in speaking at the GRSI High-Level Exchange at the 2023 Global Refugee Forum.

At a technical level, Canada and the EU continued their expert discussions on their respective policy developments, including labour migration and migration responses to support persons fleeing the war in Ukraine and Afghan refugees. One of these forums includes the EUAA Expert Platform for Safe Pathways for Afghans, to which Canada contributes through updates and reporting and participation in meetings with member states to discuss and facilitate methods to address the crisis in Afghanistan.

Multilaterally, Canada and the EU continued their engagement in UN processes related to migration and support to refugees. Canada and the EU also collaborated on various migration and international protection-related issues in other multilateral initiatives such as the Global Task Force on Refugee Labour Mobility; the Resettlement Diplomacy Network; the Intergovernmental Consultations on Migration, Asylum and Refugees; and the G7 Roma-Lyon Group.

On November 21, 2024, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and the European Commission Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs held the first senior officials level dialogue on the security aspects of border management.

6.3 Justice cooperation

In January 2023, high-level representatives and technical experts from Canada and the EU participated in a virtual meeting on the digitalization of justice. The meeting provided an opportunity for an exchange of best practices on key access to justice initiatives, including the European e-Justice Portal, Canada’s work on online dispute resolution and artificial intelligence (AI) projects, and Canadian guidance on the use of virtual hearings. Participants also shared their respective work in developing a regulatory framework on the use of AI and the digitalization of communication between judicial and other competent authorities, including through the EU’s e-Evidence Digital Exchange System.

The European Commissioner for Justice and the Canadian Minister of Justice met twice in 2023, first on the margins of the 2023 G7 Justice Ministers Meeting in Japan, then at the 2023 United for Justice Conference: War Crimes Against Ukrainian Children, held in Toronto, Canada. Bilateral discussions at both meetings included Ukraine (accountability efforts and Russian asset seizures) and privacy matters focusing on general data protection regulation (GDPR) and adequacy decisions.

In January 2024, the European Commission renewed Canada’s “adequacy status” in relation to the European General Data Protection Regulation, which allows for the free flow of personal data in cross-border trade and commerce between Canada and the EU. Following this, Canada participated in an EU hosted Roundtable on Safe Data Flows among countries with adequacy status in March 2024 to reinforce cooperation on the safe and free flow of data.

The European Commission Vice-President and the Canadian Minister of Justice met on the margins of the 2024 G7 Justice Ministers Meeting in Italy, with the bilateral discussions focusing on Ukraine (frozen sovereign assets, sanctions), electoral integrity and foreign interference. In September 2024, both the European Commission’s Vice-President and its Executive Vice-President for A Europe Fit for the Digital Age attended the Toronto conference on online harm, Attention: The Kids Are All Right, organized by the Centre for Media, Technology, and Democracy, and the Paradigms Media Technology Network.

6.4 Consular protection

Canada and the EU cooperate closely on consular issues and hold a formal dialogue on these matters twice a year. The most recent meeting took place in December 2024, providing both sides the opportunity to share updates on key consular priorities and initiatives, including the continued collaboration in advancing the Initiative Against Arbitrary Detention in State-to-State Relations. The dialogue also serves as a platform to exchange lessons learned from recent consular crises and to discuss coordination in crisis and emergency preparedness. Around the world, Canadian missions, EU delegations and member state embassies also cooperate closely at the local level and support one another in the provision of consular assistance in particularly complex environments. Both partners also coordinate demarches or joint outreach with third countries on issues affecting citizens, such as international parental child abductions, forced marriages and detentions.

Additionally, EU and Canadian experts collaborate on consular crisis management. Building on the partnership established during the COVID-19 pandemic, the EU granted Canada access to CoOL (consular online), its secure messaging platform, where partner countries can share information on the situation on the ground and exchange real-time updates on consular crisis-related matters, as well as travel advice and advisories. This has enabled partner countries to give better advice to their citizens and to coordinate their responses and repatriation efforts. Canada and the EU are both members and observers of the Non-Combatant Evacuations Operation (NEO), which last met in Sweden in March 2024 and routinely meets online.

7. Trade and economic relations

7.1 Multilateral trading system

Canada and the EU share a strong commitment to an open, inclusive, fair, predictable and rules-based multilateral trading system, with a strong and modernized WTO at its core. Canada and the EU closely collaborate, both bilaterally and with other like-minded members (including through the Ottawa Group) to support ongoing efforts aimed at advancing the necessary reform to strengthen all WTO functions. This includes working together to implement recently negotiated outcomes and intensifying efforts to deliver on unfinished work from the 13th WTO Ministerial Conference, with a strong focus on the reform agenda. As part of joint efforts to modernize the WTO agenda to address current trade challenges, Canada and the EU have also been collaborating to advance discussions on trade and industrial policy at the WTO. With respect to the WTO dispute settlement system, restoring a fully operational system remains a top priority for both Canada and the EU. Until this is accomplished, Canada and the EU remain active participants in the Multi-Party Interim Appeal Arbitration Arrangement (MPIA). This interim arrangement safeguards access for members to a functioning, 2-tier and independent dispute resolution mechanism. It is open to all WTO members.

7.2 Economic security

At the Canada-EU Summit in November 2023, leaders announced their intention to set up a bilateral Canada-EU Economic Security Dialogue. The inaugural meeting of the dialogue took place on January 15, 2025, in Brussels. Exchanges are ongoing to jointly define the scope and structure of the initiative. The dialogue aims to exchange on the overall strategic challenges for economic security and on specific issues and tools.

7.3 Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA)

CETA is an ambitious and inclusive free trade agreement that demonstrates mutual commitment to the rules-based multilateral trading system and to sustainable development. It contains strong commitments in the areas of environment and labour, as well as comprehensive and deep commitments to advance trade and lower non-tariff barriers, including through ambitious regulatory cooperation. In 2023, the value of EU-Canada bilateral trade was more than 65% higher than pre-CETA levels in 2016. CETA’s governance structure underpins the close cooperation across all areas of economic and trade relations covered by the agreement, with 19 specialized committees and dialogues taking place on an annual basis. These committees have delivered tangible results and ensure implementation of the agreement and advances into new areas of cooperation, including under the Green Alliance and Digital Partnership.

In February 2024, the fourth CETA Joint Committee meeting, co-chaired by Valdis Dombrovskis, European Commission Executive Vice-President and European Commissioner for Trade, and the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development, took place in Brussels, Belgium, in a hybrid format.

Notable achievements in 2024 included the adoption of a Mutual Recognition Agreement of professional qualifications for architects (MRA) under CETA, the first such agreement for both the EU and Canada under an FTA. Once fully in force, it will facilitate the recognition of Canadian and European architects’ professional qualifications and expand access to new business opportunities in both economies. Canada and the EU also concluded negotiations for new rules regarding SME access to investment dispute resolutions. Work has also taken place to advance the CETA Joint Committee Recommendations on Trade and SMEs and Trade and Gender.

Work under CETA touches upon most of the sectoral workstreams detailed thematically further below, including work on financial services, energy, climate, environment, agriculture and food security, digital cooperation and economic security.

Most of CETA has been provisionally applied since September 21, 2017. CETA will enter fully into force once all EU member states have ratified it at national level, thus allowing Canada and the EU to complete their respective ratification processes. To date, 17 EU member states have notified the EU of their ratification of CETA.

7.4 Regulation of financial services

Canada and the EU held the seventh annual meeting of the CETA Financial Services Committee in June 2024 in Brussels. The regular meetings of the Group provide an important forum to discuss shared global challenges in the financial services sector, to cooperate on the development of international standards, and to provide updates and exchange views on financial sector policy and regulatory matters, such as financial stability, banking and insurance regulation, sustainable finance, combatting financial crime, and digital finance.

7.5 Taxation

Canada and the EU cooperate actively on international tax issues, including through their continued contribution to the work of the OECD’s Committee on Fiscal Affairs and OECD/G20 Inclusive Framework on Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS). Canada and EU member states are parties to the OECD Multilateral Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters and partners in developing and implementing the global standards on transparency and exchange of information, double tax conventions, transfer pricing and BEPS.

Canada and EU member states are also working actively towards the finalization and implementation of the Inclusive Framework’s 2-pillar plan for international tax reform, a historic agreement reached in 2021. The plan will address the tax challenges of digitalization and globalization by reallocating taxing rights over parts of the profits generated by the world’s largest multinationals (Pillar One), and by ensuring that large multinationals are subject to a minimum effective level of taxation in each jurisdiction where they operate (Pillar Two). Canada and EU member states have implemented the Pillar Two global minimum tax with effect from 2024 and continue to work together through the Inclusive Framework to ensure consistent implementation by all countries. This will help to level the playing field in international taxation and boost tax revenue collection and thus enable governments to enhance public investments and improve the business environment. Canada and the EU are also engaging collaboratively in ongoing discussions at the United Nations on the adoption of a framework convention on international tax cooperation.

7.6 Transport

Strong cooperation between Canada and the EU continued in the field of transport, both bilaterally and in multilateral settings such as the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). Canada's Minister of Transport held bilateral and multilateral engagements with the former EU Commissioner for Transport during the April 2024 G7 Transport Ministerial Meeting, which focused on supply chains, decarbonization, support for Ukraine and other transport priorities. Close collaboration between Canada and the EU also takes place at the G7 Working Group on Transport Supply Chains, the G7 Transportation Security Subgroup and the NATO Transportation Group.

In the aviation sector, Canada and the EU continued to work closely with partners to enhance and elevate the profile of the aviation security area within the ICAO and to promote safe airspace management practices in conflict zones. Both parties also continued to work towards the signing of the Agreement Amending Annex B of the Canada-European Union Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement (BASA) in all 24 EU language copies, with the objective of reducing regulatory approval barriers for Canadian and European maintenance organizations. The Joint Committee under the Agreement on Air Transport between Canada and the EU last met in September 2024 in Ottawa, Canada. The next meeting is planned for the second half of 2025.

In the maritime sector, Canada and the EU in December 2023 signed a non-binding Memorandum of Cooperation between the Department of Transport of Canada and the Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport of the European Commission Regarding the Management of the Code for the Recognized Organizations Oversight Program with Respect to Mutually Recognized Organizations. The Memorandum of Cooperation provides a framework for coordination and exchange of information to enhance the auditing and monitoring techniques in the context of the Code for Recognized Organizations (RO Code), adopted by the IMO in 2013.

8. Energy, climate and environment

8.1 Energy and raw materials

Energy continues to be a key priority in the bilateral relationship. Specific energy deliverables following the 2023 Canada-EU Summit include the continuation of the Canada-EU High-Level Energy Dialogue and the preparation of a new EU-Canada Roadmap on Methane Emissions, as well as continued collaboration on common approaches to standards and certification in hydrogen, which will accelerate commercialization and increase transatlantic trade.

Work on each of these is ongoing under the auspices of the High-Level Energy Dialogue. Progress in the last 2 years has included a series of cooperative workshops on methane abatement policies, culminating in a final report that will feed into the Roadmap on Methane Emissions. Canada and the EU have also worked together as champions of the Global Methane Pledge, strengthening international collaboration and continuing momentum for methane mitigation. Canada also undertook a techno-economic assessment of hydrogen supply chains, which the EU is currently analyzing. Both Canada and the EU continue to meet to discuss updates on clean hydrogen policy incentives and participate in informational sessions for economic stakeholders. Europe needs to strengthen its energy security and independence while respecting each country’s energy mix. Engagement by the EU and Canada on securing uranium and fuel supply has also increased recently to diversify supply sources. The EU and Canadian authorities have also discussed the latest developments in the European SMR industrial alliance.

Canada and the EU have worked closely through the G7+ process to support Ukraine’s energy system. In 2024, the EU endorsed the Equal by 30 Initiative, a global campaign led by Canada working towards equal pay, leadership and opportunities for women and marginalized communities in the energy sector by 2030.

Beyond collaboration on energy security and supply, priorities over the past 2 years have included ensuring an open dialogue on trade, policy and regulatory issues as they pertain to the energy sector, including the impact of the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), Renewable Energy Directives II and III, Delegated Acts on hydrogen and the Net-Zero Industry Act, with discussion taking place under CETA’s Regulatory Cooperation Forum, the Trade in Goods Committee and the Committee on Trade and Sustainable Development.

Throughout 2023 and 2024, cross-cutting work has taken place between the High-Level Energy Dialogue and the Canada-EU Strategic Partnership on Raw Materials, which was established in July 2021. The Partnership on Raw Materials is established under CETA across 3 pillars of cooperation—the integration of Canada-EU raw material value chains; science, technology and innovation collaboration; and environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria and standards. Work has been ongoing across all 3 pillars over the past year, including notable advances under Pillar I, with over €10 billion [Can$ equivalent] Sin investments announced in 2023.

Canada and the EU also cooperate on Raw Materials at the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada Convention (PDAC), held in Toronto in early March every year.

As regards Research & Innovation (R&I), a specific project call for “resilience” focused on participation by Canadian and/or Ukrainian entities was launched last year and closed in February 2024. Out of a total of 11 eligible project proposals, the European Commission received 7 project proposals involving Canadian entities and selected a project involving 3 such entities—one exploration company, one extraction company and one university. The promotion of R&I raw materials cooperation opportunities continues through various information sessions and workshops. Regarding the third pillar, our cooperation is aimed at promoting ESG standards for raw materials in international forums and with key partners.

Since 2021, Canada and the European Union work together on the Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM) workstream titled Empowering people: Skills & inclusivity for just transitions (CEM-EPI), along with the United States. The initiative is co-led out of the Natural Resources Canada government department.

Highlights of the collaboration include a CEM14 side event on collaborative strategies for jobs and skills for just, clean energy transitions in July 2023, a side event at COP28 on catalyzing a new era of global climate talent across sectors in November 2023, and an EPI Partner Forum on the social dimensions of the clean energy transition in March 2024.

8.2 Climate

On climate action, Canada and the EU have continued to lead efforts to promote the global reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and foster the transition to a net-zero emissions economy by 2050. Under the Canada-EU Strategic Partnership Agreement, Canada and the EU held a High-Level Dialogue on Climate Change in July 2023. Discussions focused on respective domestic climate initiatives, including the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), and climate ambition in the lead up to the 28^th Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The next dialogue is expected to take place in 2025.

Work also continues to implement the Recommendations on Climate under CETA and in the relevant committees, including Regulatory Cooperation and Trade and Sustainable Development, with close links to workstreams prioritized under the Green Alliance.

As identified under the Green Alliance, Canada and the EU have continued their exchanges on their carbon pricing systems and stepped up their efforts to expand the uptake of carbon pricing policies in other countries. In 2023, the EU became a partner in the Global Carbon Pricing Challenge (GCPC), an initiative launched by Canada that calls on all countries to adopt explicit carbon pricing systems as a central part of their climate strategies in order to achieve a collective goal of covering 60% of global emissions by 2030. As GCPC partners, both governments are advocating for the expansion of carbon pricing by supporting countries to strengthen existing systems and develop new pricing systems, and by facilitating the sharing of lessons learned and offering technical support. In September 2024, on the margins of the 79^th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen co-hosted an event titled Innovating for a Sustainable Future, which focused on carbon pricing, industrial growth and decarbonization. The event brought together diverse voices from governments and the private sector to present strategies that the international community can pursue to collaboratively accelerate global climate action while supporting resilience and economic goals.

At the multilateral level, Canada and the EU have continued to encourage ambitious climate action by discussing and aligning positions in relevant forums, including the G7, the G20, the Ministerial on Climate Action (MoCA) and under the UNFCCC, all with the aim of achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement. As part of the G7+ International Partners Group, Canada and the EU continue to work together on the implementation of Just Energy Transition Partnerships (JETPs) with South Africa, Indonesia, Vietnam and Senegal. Canada and the EU also collaborate on efforts to develop new country platforms for climate action.

In July 2023, the EU hosted the seventh meeting of the MoCA, which is co-convened by Canada, the EU and China, and serves as a crucial platform for ministers and high-level representatives from over 30 countries to collaborate on shared priorities and build international momentum leading up to the UNFCCC COP28 in November 2023.

8.3 Environment and biodiversity

The strong Canada-EU bilateral cooperation on environment and biodiversity further deepened in 2023 and 2024. In the context of the CETA Trade and Sustainable Development (TSD) Chapter, Canada and the EU held the fifth annual CETA Civil Society Forum (CSF) and Trade and Sustainable Development Committee meeting in April 2023, with the 2024 meeting being split so that the CSF took place in March and the TSD Committee in May 2024. These events provided an opportunity to discuss trade and climate and environmental policy developments and cooperation, including with Canada and the EU’s respective domestic advisory groups (DAGs). In response to a request from the DAGs for more engagement with the parties, Canada and the EU hosted a midyear meeting between the TSD co-chairs and the Canadian and EU DAGs to exchange updates and hold early discussions on the planning of the next CSF. Discussions included furthering cooperation on circular economy. In June 2023, the EU hosted a webinar titled The EU and Canada: A Like-Minded Partnership on Circular Economy. It provided a forum for open exchange and sharing of experiences and best practices stemming from the joint efforts by Canada and the EU in circular economy. The next Canada-EU Dialogue on Environment is expected to take place in 2025.

Canada and the EU continued their strong multilateral cooperation on the environment in the G7 and the G20, as well as other multilateral environmental forums. They also worked together in the lead up to and at the 16^th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) to advance shared priorities on biodiversity. With the establishment of the Canada-EU Green Alliance, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to the full, swift and effective implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF), adopted at the CBD COP15 in Montreal, and to cooperate to ensure its implementation. In November 2023, the EU joined the Nature Champions Network, a Canada-led initiative that advocates for the implementation of the KMGBF, supports continued global ambition on biodiversity and nature, and promotes ambitious action towards halting and reversing biodiversity loss. At CBD COP16, the Nature Champions Network (which has 23 members as of November 22, 2024, including Canada and the EU) released a joint statement encouraging rapid global biodiversity action through the effective implementation of the KMGBF.

Canada and the EU collaborated to address the issue of plastic pollution globally, including through the High Ambition Coalition to End Plastic Pollution (HAC). In April 2024, Canada hosted the fourth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution (INC-4). Canada and the EU collaborated via the HAC at INC-5 in Busan, South Korea, in November and December 2024, and are aligned in their commitment to achieve an agreement that covers the whole lifecycle of plastics at INC-5.2. In the interim, Canada and the EU continue to cooperate closely.

Since 2023, Canada-EU cooperation contributed to the achievement of the shared goal of establishing the Global Framework on Chemicals. This addresses health, environmental, labour, industrial, economic and other key chemicals-related issues along the value chain and throughout the lifecycle of chemicals, including waste. It will also support the achievement of Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development goals and targets, including SDG 3 (Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages).

Canada and the EU have a shared commitment to preventing global deforestation and Canada recognizes the scope and scale of the EU’s efforts to address deforestation through the introduction of its Regulation on Deforestation-free products (EUDR). Canada is also committed to taking ambitious actions to address global deforestation and continues to engage with its provincial and territorial governments, Indigenous partners, industry and non-governmental organizations to achieve a high level of sustainable management of lands and forests. Canada is pleased that the EU has postponed the application of the EUDR by one year (until December 30, 2025) following extensive consultation and collaboration to allow trading partners and stakeholders more time to prepare for meeting the requirements.

8.4 Agriculture and food security

The EU-Canada Dialogue on agricultural sustainability was launched at the June 2021 Canada-EU Summit within the framework of the Agriculture Dialogue under CETA. From June 2021 through December 2023, a series of joint workshops took place to promote sustainability, environmental stewardship and climate action in agriculture. Canada and the EU exchanged ideas and best practices on several topics during these events, including soil health, greenhouse gas emissions, reductions in livestock, organic farming, better use of fertilizers and sustainable crop protection. Workshops dedicated to each topic explained the policy context, highlighted current best practices and allowed for discussion on research and innovation efforts aimed at addressing these topics. Policymakers, farmers, researchers and representatives of Canadian provinces and territories, as well as EU member states took part in the series of events over 2 years, with a final report from each workshop feeding into a Stakeholders’ Conference in Brussels in December 2023. The Stakeholders’ Conference, co-organized by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) and the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development (DG AGRI), brought together stakeholders from the EU and Canada, including over 20 participants from Canadian industry organizations, farmers and provincial governments. AAFC and DG AGRI have now launched the next phase of policy exchanges focused on agriculture sustainability. The first session, a government-to-government policy workshop on food loss and waste (FLW), took place in November 2024. The aim of the joint workshop was to identify possible solutions, including harnessing innovation, to reduce FLW across the agri-food supply chain. Further government-to-government workshops are in the pipeline and a second stakeholders visit is expected to take place in June 2025 in Canada.

Canada and the EU continue to collaborate on multi-donor initiatives that support the agri-food plans and programs of development partners, including advancing the Joint Development Partner Statement in support of the African Fertilizer and Soil Health Action Plan, thus contributing to the G7 Apulia Food Systems Initiative and helping to establish the G20 Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty. Canada and the EU also collaborate on the governing boards and steering committees of key multilateral partners, including the International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR).

8.5 Oceans partnership

From 2023 to 2024, Canada and the EU continued to implement the Ocean Partnership Agreement signed in 2019. Annual dialogues took place under the EU-Canada High-Level Dialogue on Oceans and Fisheries in May 2023 and June 2024. The High-Level Dialogue for 2025 is currently being organized and will continue to be an opportunity to discuss issues such as ocean governance, fisheries under regional fisheries management organizations, the ocean-climate nexus, Arctic matters (with reference to the Arctic Ocean), and illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

Canada and the EU also continue to advance cooperative ocean science in the context of the All-Atlantic Ocean Research and Innovation Alliance. Annual dialogues took place at the All-Atlantic Forums in 2023 in Cape Town, South Africa, and 2024 in Ottawa, Canada, to share information and map tangible action regarding thematic areas of mutual interest, including climate science and coastal resilience, ocean observation, advancing gender equity in ocean science, and engaging and supporting early career ocean professionals. The next All-Atlantic Forum will be hosted by the EU in fall 2025 and will provide an opportunity to further advance collaborative ocean science.

8.6 Arctic cooperation

Canada and the EU continued their close collaboration on the Arctic, supported by the EU’s ongoing prioritization of Canada as one of its key Arctic partners. This collaboration supported the shared goals of addressing the impacts of climate change and fostering inclusive and sustainable economic development that benefits Arctic communities and peoples, notably Indigenous Peoples, while upholding the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity based on international law.

Under the Canada-EU Green Alliance, both parties reaffirmed their commitment to promoting dialogue and cooperation on Arctic matters, including peace, stability and economic development in full respect of the interests, priorities and rights of Indigenous Peoples, in line with the UNDRIP and the central role played by local communities and Indigenous Peoples in shaping and advancing international Arctic cooperation. They also reaffirmed their commitment to suspending offshore oil and gas extraction in the Arctic waters and agreed to the effective implementation of the 2018 Agreement to Prevent Unregulated High Seas Fisheries in the Central Arctic Ocean, where the EU and Canada are active parties.

Cooperation was also fostered at the Arctic Council, where all members and observers remain focused on continuing the Council’s important work for the benefit of the Arctic and the people living there, thus ensuring that the Council remains the pre-eminent forum for Arctic issues.

Canada’s new Arctic Foreign Policy notes the benefits of engaging pragmatically and strategically with Arctic and non-Arctic partners, including non-Arctic European states and the European Union, to address challenges to the Arctic emanating from global issues like climate change. Priorities identified for Canadian engagement with the EU and European states include science, technology and innovation, conservation of fish stocks through the Canada-EU High-Level Dialogue on Fisheries, environmental protection and climate action, and trade and sustainable economic development.

Canada welcomed the launch in 2024 of the Fitness Check for the EU Seal Regime and the opportunity to outline Canada’s participation in the public consultations.

9. Knowledge, research, innovation and digital

9.1 Research and innovation

In July 2024, Canada officially became associated to Pillar II (Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness) of Horizon Europe, the European Union’s framework program for research and innovation. As an associated country, Canadian entities can participate in Horizon Europe on similar terms to entities in EU member states, enabling Canadian researchers, businesses and institutions to access funding and collaborate on projects with European partners. This association fosters the sharing of knowledge and expertise, promotes innovation and addresses global challenges through joint efforts. It is expected to lead to increased competitiveness and drive economic growth on both sides of the Atlantic. Canadians have already seized this new opportunity by submitting numerous proposals to the Horizon Europe program, which has a budget of €95.5 billion (over Can$140 billion) over 7 years (2021 to 2027) and enables cooperation with research and innovation partners from Europe and around the world.

Additionally, Canada and the EU cooperate through various multilateral forums, such as Mission Innovation, the All-Atlantic Ocean Research and Innovation Alliance, and the Global Research Alliance for Infections Disease Preparedness.

Canada and the EU hold a regular science and technology cooperation dialogue under the EU-Canada Joint Science and Technology Cooperation Committee. The next meeting in March 2025 will take place back-to-back with the first Joint Association Committee meeting. It will cover topics such as research security, the Multilateral Dialogue on Principles and Values for International R&I cooperation, research cooperation and mobility of researchers, and G7-G20 STI commitments and priorities. The Association Committee meeting will take stock of Canadian participation in Horizon Europe so far, implementation of the principle of reciprocity, promotion of Horizon Europe in Canada and updates on Horizon Europe Work Programmes 2025 and 2026-2027.

9.2 Digital cooperation

Canada and the EU continue to demonstrate a commitment to increased cooperation on digital issues building on existing frameworks for regulatory cooperation, including under CETA’s Regulatory Cooperation Forum. Following the Leaders’ Summit in 2023, Canada and the EU committed to pursuing a bilateral Digital Partnership, setting up a framework for enhanced digital cooperation and addressing new challenges in digital transformation, impacting research, industry, society and the broader economy. This Digital Partnership represents an expansion and elevation of the existing Digital Dialogue, which was launched in 2019 under the Canada-EU Strategic Partnership Agreement. It aims to increase cooperation on strategic digital policy issues, such as AI, quantum science, semiconductors, digital platform governance, cyber security, digital credentials and secure international connectivity.

Under the Canada-EU Digital Partnership, the parties have engaged in collaboration towards the compatibility of respective regulatory approaches to AI, namely the EU Artificial Intelligence Act and Canada’s Artificial Intelligence and Data Act. Both Canada and the EU have supported regulatory cooperation through several activities, most recently Canada’s participation in the EU Code of Practice process that was initiated as part of the implementation of the AI Act in 2024. Under the CETA Regulatory Cooperation Forum (RCF), the Standards Council of Canada (SCC), the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) and the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization (CENELEC) have agreed to broaden the scope of their work to include other topics relating to environment and sustainability, digitalization and 2025 system priorities.

Both Canada and the EU continue to actively engage in and demonstrate support for the Global Partnership on AI (GPAI) with its renewed vision of an integrated partnership with the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). This integrated partnership brings together OECD members and GPAI countries and combines the respective expertise and capabilities of GPAI and the OECD to expand their collective reach. It also aims to welcome new members, including developing and emerging economies, who are committed to the OECD Recommendation on AI.

Canada and the EU were engaged in negotiations for the recently adopted Council of Europe Framework Convention on AI and human rights, democracy and the rule of law, which is the first-ever international legally binding treaty aimed at ensuring that the activities within the lifecycle of AI systems are fully consistent with human rights, democracy and the rule of law. The treaty was opened for signature in September 2024 and has already been signed by the EU.

Furthermore, Canada and the EU maintained good cooperation, including in the framework of the G7+, throughout the negotiation process of the UN Global Digital Compact.

An in-person workshop of the Digital Partnership was held in May 2024 in Brussels, where the European Commission shared its experiences in implementing the Digital Services Act (DSA). More specifically, Canadian officials were informed by the Commission about its approach to DSA legislative processes, regulation development and implementation planning. Canada and the EU discussed the opportunity to develop a Canada-EU declaration on strong independent media and information integrity to give visibility to the ongoing cooperation in digital platform governance between Canada and the EU. The declaration would highlight how both partners share a common ambition to strengthen independent media and enhance information integrity online to ensure citizen access to a broad range of quality news sources, given that this is a key ingredient for full democratic participation.

Canada and the EU have also committed to improving the functioning of the global digital economy through joint work in multilateral forums such as the G7, G20, OECD, UN and World Trade Organization.

In the current geopolitical context, there is an urgent need to find solutions for fibre cables for the Arctic route from Europe to Asia. The threat to the currently used routes (through or above Russia and through the Suez Canal) has become even more evident with the recent suspected incidents of cable sabotage in the Baltic Sea. A strong commitment was made at the G7 Hiroshima Summit Statement to support and enhance network resilience, including by extending secure routes of submarine cables. Canada and the EU both endorsed the US-led New York Joint Statement on the Security and Resilience of Undersea Cables in a Globally Digitalized World, which lays out important principles to ensure undersea cable infrastructure is secure, reliable, sustainable and resilient. This is an area where the EU and Canada must work as partners, along with other partner countries (Japan, Greenland and Iceland), to start operationalizing a concrete vision for Arctic connectivity, with a view to advancing economic security, unlocking opportunities for communities in the Far North and enabling climate monitoring of the Arctic region.

9.3 Space

Canada-EU space cooperation continues to mature, building on the outcomes of the June 2021 EU-Canada Summit Joint Statement. Following an inaugural high-level space meeting in May 2022, where Canada and the EU signed the Copernicus Cooperation Arrangement to enable reciprocal access to satellite Earth observation data, Canada hosted a follow-on space dialogue in June 2023 between representatives of Canada led by Canadian Space Agency Vice-President for Policy, Communications and Strategic Planning; of the European Commission’s Director for Innovation and Outreach; and of the HR led by the Special Envoy for Space in the European External Action Service (EEAS). This meeting focused on further cooperation on space-related initiatives, particularly to advance work on Copernicus, as well as discussions on Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), research and development, and space situational awareness.

10. Citizen well-being

10.1 Health

Canada and the European Union work together to protect human health in a variety of forums, including the World Health Organization (WHO), the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP). Canada and the EU interact on issues related to the Arctic, climate change, emergency preparedness, involvement with Horizon Europe, research and surveillance initiatives to mitigate and assist in the reduction of risks to human health. This in turn helps to leverage international expertise and resources, pandemic preparedness and response, enhance international data sharing and improve policy development.

In September 2024, Canada and the EU held a virtual meeting to launch the Canada-EU Health Policy Dialogue. Canada’s Minister of Health and the European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety discussed issues related to antimicrobial resistance, health security, climate change and non-communicable diseases (mental health, cancer). A series of knowledge exchanges between Canada and the EU on these priority areas will be organized to share scientific evidence and best practices to advance the health and safety of people in Canada, Europe and the world.

Under the CETA RCF, Canada and the EU recently concluded a cooperative initiative focused on pediatric medicines. Insights shared by the European Medicines Agency were valuable in supporting Health Canada in the development of its Pediatric Submission Policy Pilot. Launched in February 2024, the pilot encourages sponsors to submit pediatric studies or pediatric plans as part of certain drug submissions for market authorization in Canada.

10.2 Employment, social affairs, education and decent work

In 2023, as part of the previous 2021 to 2023 Canada-EU Dialogue on Employment, Social Affairs and Decent Work workplan, 2 workshops were held on social protection and social inclusion systems (May) and on labour protections to ensure decent working conditions for digital platform and gig workers (October). A new 2024 to 2026 workplan has been signed and focuses on 7 thematic areas prioritized according to current socio-economic circumstances in Canada and the EU. The first workshop will take place in January 2025 to discuss the promotion of inclusion and employment supports for marginalized groups in the labour market.

In the context of the CETA Trade and Sustainable Development (TSD) Chapter, Canada and the EU held the annual CETA Civil Society Forum (CSF) and Trade and Sustainable Development Committee meetings in March and April 2024. These events provided an opportunity to discuss trade and labour matters, including with Canada and the EU’s respective domestic advisory groups (DAGs).

Cooperation in the area of education continued under the international dimension of Erasmus+. In the 2022 to 2023 period, there were 587 planned mobilities of students and staff from Canada to the Erasmus+ countries and 485 planned mobilities and staff from the Erasmus+ countries to Canada. Moreover, in the 2021 to 2024 period, 125 students from Canda benefitted from scholarships for Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Programmes. In addition, in the 2021 to 2024 period, there were 8 projects selected involving Canada in Jean Monnet activities aiming to develop EU studies worldwide. In November 2024, the Commission launched a call for proposals to develop an EU-North America Jean Monnet Network, which Canadian universities can participate in as partners. Furthermore, the Commission committed to mobilizing an additional amount of up to €2 million for the North America region of Erasmus+ (US and Canada) per year. This will increase the yearly mobilities to and from the US and Canada from 1,500 to 2,000 between 2025 and 2027.

Date modified:: 2025-03-19