Canada and Spain sign General Security of Information Agreement, protecting sensitive information and promoting economic prosperity
September 9, 2025 - Gatineau, Quebec - Public Services and Procurement Canada
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 Spain. The GSOIA was formally signed by Canada’s Ambassador to Spain, Jeffrey Marder, and Secretary of State for the Spanish National Intelligence Center, Esperanza Casteleiro Llamazares, during a ceremony held in Madrid, Spain.
Canada’s relationship with Spain is rooted in shared values and mutual trust. This GSOIA will help to achieve 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 Spain, a like-minded partner and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) ally, through enhanced defence cooperation
Expand markets and enhance Canadian industry competitiveness for Spanish contracts
Provide a vehicle for Canada to access the Spanish specialized workforce and Spanish classified technologies
Provide the framework for the exchange of classified information with Spain, 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 Spain, replacing the interim non-binding arrangement from 2011. It ensures that both Canada and Spain maintain the highest standards of security while allowing the exchange of sensitive government information entrusted to authorized contractors and government institutions.
This agreement reflects Canada’s 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
“Canada is proud to stand as a reliable and trusted partner to Spain. This relationship is key, as we work together to tackle global challenges, improve security and grow our economies. Moving forward, modernizing procurement practices remains a priority to ensure transparency and fairness for all Canadians. The signing of this agreement shows Canada’s commitment to protecting sensitive government information and working closely with European allies. It’s a clear step toward stronger collaboration and shared success.”
The Honourable Joël Lightbound
Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement
“Canada’s relationship with Spain is built on shared values, mutual respect, and a strong commitment to democracy. In today’s rapidly changing world, this agreement demonstrates Canada’s commitment to strengthening commercial ties and advancing defence and security cooperation with European allies, for the benefit of citizens on both sides of the Atlantic.”
The Honourable Anita Anand
Minister of Foreign Affairs
“Canada is bolstering its domestic defence industry and solidifying its relationships with European allies as new threats emerge on the world stage. This agreement establishes an essential framework for sensitive information sharing including defence intelligence, sensitive operational information, and weapons systems. Canada’s agreement with Spain presents opportunities for our industries and businesses in defence, and supports our position globally and in our defence relationships.”
The Honourable Stephen Fuhr
Secretary of State, Defence Procurement
Quick facts
This agreement marks the fourth GSOIA signing since December 2024 as efforts continue to fortify Canada’s relationships with key, like-minded partners.
GSOIAs are negotiated by Public Services and Procurement Canada’s Industrial Security Sector in collaboration with Global Affairs Canada and National Defence.
Canada and Spain have a history of industrial cooperation, particularly in civilian research and development. Through programs like Horizon Europe and Eureka, both countries support joint market-oriented innovation projects. Institutions such as National Research Council Canada and Spain’s Centre for the Development of Industrial Technology play central roles.
Canada and Spain 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: Expect to hear a lot more GSOIA being signed in the next year. I know its a big want to get as many out the way. Canada has also signed agreements with Japan, Ukraine (technically Ukraine was December but whatever) and Poland this year. More are also in the pipeline, especially with EU states as we work towards a broader Security agreement with the EU.
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 informstion 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.
So these agreements are very important when we talk things like Tech Transfers, deepening cooperation, or Canadian companies having access to bidding opportunities. Its very important to have these agreements in place if we start talking about joining joint programmes through things like SAFE.
Sharing of classified informstion, especially for defence-related activities is important to both bolstering our export and manufacturing attractiveness but also deepening our cooperation with allies. This establishes how we can do this, and a proper process to get it done.
Im being a bit basic, and obviously theres more technical things involved, but this gives you a basic idea of the importance of these agreements when talking about defence production.