Canada and Portugal protect sensitive information and promote economic prosperity with signing of General Security of Information Agreement
September 16, 2025 - Gatineau, Quebec
The Government of Canada is committed to strengthening its relationship with its European partners and expanding economic avenues for Canada.
Today, the Honourable Joël Lightbound, Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement, and the Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs, announced the signing of a General Security of Information Agreement (GSOIA) with Portugal. The formal signing of the GSOIA took place in Lisbon, with Ambassador Élise Racicot representing Canada and Ms. Helena Malcata, Director-General for Foreign Policy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, representing Portugal.
Canada and Portugal share a long diplomatic history based on significant people-to-people ties and common values that underpin cooperation on regional and global issues. The two countries share a strong commitment to democracy, human rights and the rules-based international order, promoting effective multilateralism to develop effective responses to today’s most pressing global challenges. Portugal is also an important trade partner and export market for Canada, with bilateral merchandise trade exceeding $3.2 billion in 2024.
This GSOIA will assist in fulfilling tangible benefits for Canadians, such as improved access to defence markets and technologies. Once entered into force, this agreement will:
Strengthen Canada’s engagement with Portugal, a like-minded partner and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) ally, by establishing a framework that supports cooperation in operations, equipment sharing and collaboration on shared NATO priorities in the Atlantic
Expand markets and enhance Canadian industry competitiveness for contracts with Portugal
Provide a vehicle for Canada to access the Portuguese specialized workforce and the country’s classified technologies
Provide the framework for the exchange of classified information with Portugal, including defence intelligence as well as sensitive operational information and technical data related to weapons systems
The agreement establishes a legally binding framework for the exchange of classified information between Canada and Portugal. It ensures that both Canada and Portugal maintain the highest standards of security while allowing the exchange of sensitive government information entrusted to authorized contractors and government institutions.
By reinforcing cooperation with Portugal, this agreement reflects Canada’s broader commitment to building strong international partnerships that support trade, innovation and shared prosperity in a fast-changing global environment. It also reinforces Canada’s role as a reliable ally in defence and security cooperation.
Quotes
“Modernizing Canada’s procurement practices is essential to ensuring transparency and strengthening our security. This agreement with Portugal will not only protect the exchange of sensitive information with a trusted NATO ally, it will also open new opportunities for Canadian businesses, support good jobs, and help grow our economies. By working together, Canada and Portugal are strengthening both our security and economic strength.”
The Honourable Joël Lightbound
Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement
“Shared values, mutual respect and a strong commitment to democracy underpin Canada’s ties with Portugal. In today’s rapidly changing global context, this agreement demonstrates Canada’s commitment to advancing defence and security cooperation with European allies, and strengthening commercial ties for the benefit of citizens on both continents.”
The Honourable Anita Anand
Minister of Foreign Affairs
“Canada is furthering its cooperation with like-minded partners to create new opportunities for our defense industry and Canadian workers. Our agreement with Portugal, a strong NATO ally, will enhance defense intelligence and sensitive information exchanges, while opening new doors for businesses in both countries.”
The Honourable Stephen Fuhr
Secretary of State, Defence Procurement
Quick facts
This agreement marks the fifth GSOIA signing since December 2024 as efforts to fortify Canada’s relationships with key, like-minded partners continue.
GSOIAs are negotiated by Public Services and Procurement Canada’s Industrial Security Sector in collaboration with Global Affairs Canada and National Defence.
Canada and Portugal are NATO allies and actively participate in multilateral peace and security operations, including NATO’s enhanced forward presence in Latvia (led by Canada).
In June 2025, Canada signed a Security and Defence Partnership with the European Union (EU). This partnership enables:
Canadian collaboration with Readiness 2030, an EU defence initiative aimed at mobilizing up to €800 billion to strengthen Europe’s defence capacity
A first step toward access for Canadian companies to European defence joint-procurement opportunities financed by the Security Action for Europe instrument
Enhanced collaboration in maritime security, cybersecurity and disinformation countermeasures
Noah Note: I did say more of these were in the pipeline and coming aoon lol. Consider this another one signed off. For those who missed the Spain post, GSOIA are a very important step in opening up both the defence market, and creating lasting industrial partnerships.
These are an important part of building up the Defence Industrial Base that gets missed by a lot of folks. It sets up a proper framework for sharing information that goes into things like Tech Transfers, joint cooperation of new technologies, and provides industry a way to access classified information to better bid on projects.
Basically it provides a set way for government and industry to access classified information from a foreign country, in basic terms at least. For industry this means a process for getting verified and, in turn, access to the information they need to bid on projects, or exchange classified information with foreign companies.
A very important step to take. As negotiations on SAFE continue we should see more of these agreements signed.