Today, the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, met with the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (UK), Andy Burnham, during his visit to the UK.
Prime Minister Carney and Prime Minister Burnham underscored the close relationship between Canada and the UK, rooted in historic ties and shared values. They noted the deep and growing defence and security partnership between the two countries and discussed opportunities to further strengthen these efforts.
To that end, Prime Minister Carney announced that Canada has formally applied to join the Joint Expeditionary Force and welcomed the UK’s support for Canada’s participation in this important initiative.
Prime Minister Carney and Prime Minister Burnham also discussed opportunities for defence industrial cooperation through the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), which Canada joined as an observer in July 2026.
Canada and the UK continue to work toward a new permanent arrangement to modernise British Army Training Unit Suffield (BATUS) through the BATUS Future Project. The Project will showcase CFB Suffield as a world-class facility for the development and testing of new equipment and cutting-edge technology.
Prime Minister Carney and Prime Minister Burnham also emphasised the importance of strengthening economic cooperation.
Looking forward, the prime ministers agreed to deepen cooperation on frontier technologies, including advancing the safe and responsible development and use of artificial intelligence.
Prime Minister Carney and Prime Minister Burnham agreed to remain in close contact.
Noah Note: The desire to join the JEF is not new. Prime Minister Carney had previously attending a JEF meeting warlier in the year where the desire was relayed. We've been looking to join for a while, though like most things you can consider this the FORMAL moment we make it known we've applied.
It's a good thing no doubt, and Canada should be doing more to align with working groups like JEF. I do think there is more we can do, something greater than it. I do think Canada needs to build a camp based on deeper integration and interoperability.
That’s just me. I have spoken much on it, however this is a good step, and abscent my ideas of grandeur it is the best option available to further integrating with Europe’s core Arctic states. It should not be the endpoint though, far from it. It shouldn't be seen as the peak of what we can do, as agreements like Lunna House show us, there is room for deeper collaboration, joint procurement opportunities, and integration that should be exercised.
Joining makes sense. JEF is becoming both NATOs principle Arctic camp and has readily integrated the Baltics into that environment. With Canada stepping up as a framework nation for NATO Multinational Division North, our self-exclusion from JEF is increasingly becoming a bit silly.
Put that in the coversation of the DSRB, and you can see the beginnings of an integrated Arctic field comprising financing, joint procurement, training and collaboration ecosystems, and integration. If everything comes together, and the JEF partners align, there is a real chance to bring everything together into something really significant and special.
Still shouldn't be the end, and individual agreements still need to help cement and define areas of deeper collaboration with key partners, but it is a start to the process that opens those doors. Collaboration on Suffield, which is increaingly being seen as Canada’s future training and innovation hub, is also a good thing.
There is work being done to open up Suffield more, and continuing the longstanding relationship through BATUS and new agreements with allies like Poland helps provide anchors to industry looking to move on the site, which the Alberta governments is really pushing to open up.
So two very interesting things, as is further GCAP discussions. Time will tell on that department.