March 15, 2026
Oslo, Norway
In a more dangerous, divided, and uncertain world, security can no longer be taken for granted. Canada is strengthening its defences in the North and working closely with trusted partners to protect our sovereignty and reinforce collective security.
To bolster Canada’s Arctic security, defence, and economic partnerships, the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, travelled to Bardufoss and Oslo, Norway, this week. In Bardufoss, the Prime Minister observed Exercise Cold Response – a Norwegian-led NATO exercise above the Arctic Circle to enhance the Alliance’s readiness, interoperability, and defence capabilities. Prime Minister Carney was joined by the Prime Minister of Norway, Jonas Gahr Støre, and the Chancellor of Germany, Friedrich Merz.
In Oslo, Prime Minister Carney met with Prime Minister Støre. The two leaders issued a joint statement outlining new ambition to build on the longstanding and close partnership between Canada and Norway, including their shared commitment to NATO, support for Ukraine, cooperation in the Arctic, and new partnerships on energy, critical minerals, trade, emerging technologies such as space communications and security, and artificial intelligence (AI).
While in Norway, Prime Minister Carney attended the Canada-Nordic Summit, where he met with leaders from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden to reinforce efforts to strengthen transatlantic security in the North. In a joint statement, the leaders outlined the deepened partnership between Canada and Nordic nations – in trade, technology, energy, and defence and security.
Norway is home to the world’s largest sovereign wealth fund with a value of over $3.5 trillion. In Oslo, the Prime Minister held meetings with business leaders to position Canada as a premier destination for international capital. As Canada diversifies its trade partnerships, accelerates major nation-building projects, builds out its defence capabilities, and attracts greater investment into its economy, Prime Minister Carney emphasised the opportunities to invest in Canada. Building on this momentum, Canadian company Champion Iron has recently announced that they are moving forward with the acquisition of Norwegian company Rana Gruber ASA, a leading producer of high-grade iron ore in Norway. The proposed transaction is for an estimated equity value of approximately $400 million.
Following the conclusion of his visit, the Prime Minister will visit the United Kingdom to meet with the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Sir Keir Starmer, and have an audience with His Majesty King Charles III. The prime ministers will discuss progress underway to deepen Canada and the United Kingdom’s defence, trade, and economic partnerships.
In this period of rapid change, Canada is safeguarding our interests, modernising our defence capabilities, and strengthening partnerships abroad. By working with valued partners like Norway, we are turning shared priorities into concrete action with strength and unprecedented ambition.
Quote
“The Arctic and the High North are central to Canada’s national identity and strategic autonomy. Canada is intensifying our cooperation with trusted Nordic partners to bolster Arctic and transatlantic security, build economic strength at home, and catalyse massive opportunities for Canadian businesses and workers.”
— The Rt. Hon. Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada
Quick facts
- This is Prime Minister Carney’s first visit to Norway since taking office and the first visit to Norway by a Canadian Prime Minister since 1980. He was accompanied by the Minister of National Defence, David J. McGuinty, and the Secretary of State (Defence Procurement), Stephen Fuhr.
- Exercise Cold Response brings together troops from 14 nations, including Norway, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, France, Italy, Canada, Spain, Türkiye, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, and Belgium to train for operations in Arctic and extreme winter conditions.
- The Nordic 5 countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden) have a total GDP of $2.8 trillion.
- An example of growing defence industrial collaboration between Canada and Norway is a recent $9.6 million contract awarded to the joint venture Kongsberg Vanguard LP – a partnership between Norwegian firms Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace and Salt Ship Design, as well as Ottawa-based Adaptive Marine Solutions Inc. Together, the joint venture will design the Canadian Coast Guard’s future mid-shore multi-mission vessels, which will be built under Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy.
- In his meetings with Nordic partners, Prime Minister Carney underscored that Canada is strengthening its defence industrial base through the $6.6 billion Defence Industrial Strategy, including through the establishment of the Defence Investment Agency, which will accelerate the delivery of new capabilities to the Canadian Armed Forces while strengthening allied defence supply chains that support collective security.
- Prime Minister Carney also affirmed Canada’s efforts to establish the Defence, Security and Resilience Bank to mobilise financing at scale to increase defence production, foster joint procurement opportunities, and bolster secure and resilient supply chains among NATO Allies and trusted international partners.
- Canada officially joined the European Union’s Security Action for Europe (SAFE) initiative at the Munich Security Conference in February 2026. SAFE is a key pillar of the EU’s Readiness 2030 plan, and Canada’s participation in SAFE will enhance defence readiness on both sides of the Atlantic.
Related products
- Prime Minister Carney meets with Prime Minister of Norway Jonas Gahr Støre and Chancellor of Germany Friedrich Merz
- Prime Minister Carney meets with Prime Minister of Norway Jonas Gahr Støre
Associated links
- Exercise Cold Response 2026
- Canada-Norway relations
- Security, Sovereignty and Prosperity: Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy
- Canada and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization
March 15, 2026
Oslo, Norway
We – the Prime Ministers of the Nordic countries and Canada – met in Oslo today, 15 March 2026.
At a time characterized by heightened geopolitical tension, war and a multitude of crises, we are united in the view that international cooperation, based on international law, shared values and interests, remains the best way to strengthen our common security and prosperity.
As democracies and countries committed to the rule of law, human rights, and the territorial integrity and sovereignty of states, we share fundamental values, and strengths.
Today we have agreed to deepen cooperation between our countries to ensure the safety, security and sovereignty of our people, and to build prosperous and green economies of the future.
We commit to meeting more regularly at different levels to advance our shared principles and interests.
We are committed to Arctic security, and to ensuring that the people who live in our part of the world can prosper in peace. To achieve this, we will work in partnership with Indigenous and northern communities to unlock the potential of the Arctic; to prevent and mitigate the effects of climate change; and to promote security.
The Nordic countries and Canada are close allies. As Arctic states, we work together to advance security and stability for all Allies in this strategically important region. We are committed to NATO’s effort to bolster the Alliance’s presence, deterrence and defence in the Arctic, and to further developing the strong collaboration to the benefit of all Allies.
We welcome NATO’s enhanced Vigilance Activity, Arctic Sentry, which strengthens NATO’s posture in the Arctic and the High North within SACEUR’s area of responsibility. We also welcome Exercise COLD RESPONSE, Operation NANOOK, Exercise Arctic Endurance and others like it, which build interoperability between those of our armed forces that participate.
In support of collective defence, security and resilience, the Nordic countries and Canada will enhance defence industrial capacity to ramp up defence production, strengthen capabilities, respond to hybrid threats, build resilient infrastructure, and develop interoperable, innovative and dual-use technologies.
We will continue to collaborate through military missions and activities, such as NATO’s Forward Land Forces in Finland, the Baltic States and Poland where our forces serve to bolster NATO’s eastern flank and to deter Russian aggression.
Our support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity in the face of Russia’s illegal war of aggression is unwavering. Ukraine’s security is integral to European and Euro-Atlantic Security.
We will continue to provide economic, civilian, military and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and call on all members of the Coalition of the Willing to increase their support. We will continue coordination on our overall assistance, including on sanctions to further restrict the Kremlin’s ability to fund its illegal war.
We agree on the importance of ensuring Ukraine’s ability to defend itself. A just and lasting peace requires credible and legally binding security guarantees for Ukraine to deter future aggression and ensure enduring stability across Europe.
We are committed to building competitive, prosperous and green economies for the future that are open to the world but that guard against dangerous dependencies.
The Nordic countries and Canada are robust, open economies, and together we represent a substantial market. We are committed to upholding the rules-based system of international trade, and support efforts to reform and revitalize the World Trade Organization.
Working together, we will expand bilateral trade and investment ties, setting a forward-looking agenda for cooperation, anchored in shared values and economic complementarities.
With technology and international trade increasingly being used as a coercive tool, we commit to enhancing our cooperation on economic security.
We will explore increased
We will work together to secure enhanced access to critical minerals and reliable global supply chains, rooted in our shared commitment to fair and open trade, and high environmental and labour standards.
We recognize that zero and low carbon energy sources and clean energy technologies can drive economic growth, create jobs and reduce emissions. We will strengthen cooperation to unlock new trade and investment opportunities, scale-up energy technologies and build secure, sustainable and complementary energy supply chains.
Together, the Nordic countries and Canada constitute a formidable partnership. We commit to deepening this, and to develop our cooperation on the basis of respect, trust and shared values and interests.
Oslo, 15 March 2026
March 14, 2026
Oslo, Norway
Northern Allies and Strategic Partners
The Prime Minister of Norway, Mr. Jonas Gahr Støre, welcomed the Prime Minister of Canada, Mr. Mark Carney, to Oslo for his first official visit to Norway as Prime Minister.
The leaders highlighted the longstanding and close bilateral relationship between the Kingdom of Norway and Canada, deeply rooted in shared values, mutual interests, and extensive cooperation as Arctic nations and founding members of NATO.
In the context of geopolitical crisis and conflict, including Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine, and mounting economic uncertainty, they reaffirmed the indispensable role of strong transatlantic relations for global and Arctic stability, and joint commitment to NATO as the cornerstone of Euro-Atlantic security. The leaders reaffirmed enduring support for Ukraine in its fight for independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, which directly contributes to our shared security.
They emphasized shared commitment to democracy, multilateralism, free and fair trade, the promotion of human rights, including protect, recognize and respect the human rights of Indigenous Peoples, as foundational for a world order based on international law. They also underscored the importance of secure, diversified and sustainable supply chains.
Considering the strategic significance of the Arctic, and the grave impact of climate change on the region, they reaffirmed the commitment of both Countries to achieving sustainable development goals and the long-term goals of the Paris Agreement.
The leaders agreed to further advance cooperation, including in the following areas:
Commitment to Arctic Security and cooperation
Norway and Canada will work together to bolster deterrence and defence in the region, through exercises such as Exercise Cold Response and Operation Nanook, recognizing that Arctic security is national security for both Canada and Norway. To this end, the leaders agreed to establish a bilateral arctic dialogue in a comprehensive perspective to advance security and defence cooperation in the region. Norway and Canada also agree to explore ways to expand science and research cooperation on joint interests in the Arctic. Recognizing NATO’s crucial deterrence and defence capabilities, we will continue to enhance Arctic security within the framework of NATO. As such, we welcome NATO’s enhanced Vigilance Activity, Arctic Sentry, which strengthens NATO’s posture in the Arctic and the High North within SACEUR’s area of responsibility.
Recognizing the critical importance of secure, reliable military communications in the Arctic, and the significant investments underway in Canada and Norway to field transformational Arctic satellite communications capabilities, the leaders agreed to explore opportunities for secure military satellite communications arrangements that enhance interoperability and thereby contribute to greater Arctic security and stability. This work will leverage projects in both countries, including Canada's recently announced strategic partnership with Telesat Corporation and MDA Space, to develop and bolster the military satellite communications capabilities through the Enhanced Satellite Communications Project – Polar (ESCP-P) project.
Support for Ukraine
Norway and Canada will continue to work together with Allies to operationalize their commitment to robust security guarantees for Ukraine, including strengthening military support and support to reconstruction efforts, while coordinating on sanctions and their enforcement, including countering Russia’s shadow fleet. We remain committed to sanctions targeting oil revenues, as energy exports remain one of the Kremlin’s primary sources of funding its war. Any easing of these measures risks undermining collective efforts to constrain Russia’s war machine.
The Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC) and the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency (NDMA) intend to cooperate on a government-to-government framework that will open opportunities for Canada and Norway, notably by facilitating procurement of military assets to support Ukraine.
Canada and Norway reaffirm their shared commitment to addressing the human dimension of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, including securing the return of Ukrainian prisoners of war, as well as civilians unlawfully detained and children deported or forcibly transferred by Russia. To that end, Canada and Norway, in coordination with Ukraine, announced they will organize a Ministerial Conference to be held in Toronto on September 28–29, 2026.
Industrial and Economic Cooperation
Norway and Canada will promote an industrial partnership on space, artificial intelligence, digitalization and critical minerals, to enhance supply‑chain resilience, drive innovation, support B2B matchmaking, and reinforce broader cooperation on security, sustainability and job creation.
Norway and Canada will also champion rules-based trade, working together to strengthen economic security, resilience and build secure and diversified supply chains. To this end, leaders have tasked their Ministers for Trade to explore modernization of the Canada-EFTA Free Trade Agreement alongside EFTA members.
Space
Canada and Norway are deepening cooperation on space and other enabling capabilities that are critical to sovereignty and security and economic resilience, including in the North. The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) and the Norwegian Space Agency (NOSA) are developing a Memorandum of Understanding to:
- Increase collaboration on space-based and dual-use capabilities that support Arctic and northern requirements, including earth observation, navigation, communications, and maritime domain awareness.
- Encourage cooperation among government agencies, research institutions, and industry to support innovation, talent development, and commercial opportunities in the space sector.
- Promote interoperability and information-sharing where appropriate, consistent with national interests and allied commitments.
In addition, Norway and Canada are launching a bilateral roadmap to deepen collaboration in the space domain through strengthening our bilateral defence institutional relationships. Norway and Canada will advance our shared interests, values and responsibilities in the space domain to enhance National and NATO´s deterrence and defence posture, especially in the Arctic.
Sovereign Technology and Artificial Intelligence Cooperation
Norway and Canada agree to explore opportunities for enhanced cooperation on sovereign technology and artificial intelligence (AI) that can help grow their capacity and reduce their dependencies, including the possibility for Norway to join the Sovereign Technology Alliance.
To enhance collective economic security and prosperity, Norway and Canada issued a Joint Statement on Sovereign Technology and AI, in which they agreed to explore collaboration to strengthen sovereign digital capacity, expand affordable access to AI computing capacity, promote safe and responsible frontier AI models, and fostering AI and technology adoption across industry and governments. They will also explore shared interests within research and innovation in AI and quantum technologies. Further, they will explore ways to strengthen commercial ties and business cooperation between the two countries.
Recognizing their shared values and strong partnership, grounded in democracy, the rule of law and human rights, the two countries will continue to cooperate in multilateral fora, including the OECD and the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence.
Critical Minerals
Norway’s Minister of Trade and Industry and Canada’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on critical minerals to boost existing cooperation on developing secure and resilient critical mineral supply chains. This includes:
- Encouraging commercial partnerships and trade and investment between Canadian and Norwegian companies;
- Facilitating the exchange of technical knowledge in mineral exploration, mining, and value-added processing of resources;
- Collaborating between the national geological survey organizations of Canada and Norway in the areas of exploration and assessment of critical minerals and geoscientific research;
- Sharing best practices on mineral exploration, environmental impact assessments, sustainable mining practices, mine closure and reclamation protocols, Indigenous and community participation.
Energy Cooperation
Norway and Canada will leverage their global leadership in delivering affordable, secure and sustainable energy and resource management. With complementary strengths in both conventional and clean energies, Norway and Canada will expand collaboration on the global energy transition, generating new insights and developments in these fields. This includes sharing best practices and expertise in resource management of conventional and unconventional resources, together with efforts to advance sustainable production of oil and gas renewables and development of clean technologies.
Climate, Biodiversity, and Oceans
Norway and Canada remain steadfast in our commitment to international cooperation on climate and nature, and our commitments under the Paris Agreement and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. We will continue to fight climate change in the Arctic, leveraging our collective leadership and technical expertise on mitigating short-lived climate pollutants, aligned with the goals of Global Methane Pledge and the Arctic Council Framework for Action on Enhanced Black Carbon and Methane Reductions. Reducing tropical deforestation is essential for meeting global climate and nature goals and to secure global food supply chains and food security. Norway and Canada remain determined to cooperate closely to sustainably manage 100 per cent of the ocean under national jurisdiction, guided by Sustainable Ocean Plans. They will work with other members of the High-Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy to implement this approach and have all coastal and ocean states join this effort.
