Montreal summit to launch EU-Canada 'Alliance for the Future'

European Council President António Costa will travel to Montreal for the 21st EU-Canada Summit on October 29 and 30, the European Council announced on October 27. He will represent the EU together with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen; Canada will be represented by Prime Minister Mark Carney.

What the 'Alliance for the Future' covers

Leaders are expected to launch an 'Alliance for the Future', a framework for shared prosperity and economic security, underpinned by concrete new initiatives to strengthen people-to-people ties, deepen economic relations and reinforce their joint stance on the global stage. Costa said the EU and Canada have long been close friends and strategic allies, and that in Montreal the partnership will be taken to the next level.

Agenda and progress since 2025

The agenda covers trade, digital and critical raw materials, defence and security, and cooperation in education, research and innovation and youth. Leaders will also take stock of progress since the 2025 summit launched the Security and Defence Partnership, including cooperation through CETA, Canada's participation in SAFE, reciprocal investment in strategic industries, dialogue on competitiveness, economic security and supply chains, consular cooperation, and collaboration on digital and AI matters. In December 2025, the two sides brought into force a mutual recognition agreement for architects' professional qualifications.

The summit was announced by Carney on October 25; whether it produces signed agreements remains to be seen at the summit itself.