Prime Minister Carney to Travel to Norway and the United Kingdom to Strengthen Collective Defence and Security

Prime Minister Carney to Travel to Norway and the UK for NATO and Arctic Security Talks

OTTAWA — Prime Minister Mark Carney will travel to Norway and the United Kingdom from March 13 to 15, 2026, as Canada works to reinforce its defence partnerships and strengthen cooperation with NATO allies amid rising geopolitical tensions.

The trip will focus on Arctic security, transatlantic cooperation, and economic collaboration in sectors such as defence, critical minerals, and emerging technologies. According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the visit reflects Canada’s strategy to deepen relationships with allied nations as global competition increases in strategic regions, including the Arctic.

NATO Exercise Cold Response

Carney will begin his visit in Bardufoss, Norway, where he will observe NATO’s Exercise Cold Response, a major multinational military exercise conducted above the Arctic Circle.

The exercise will bring together approximately troops from 14 allied nations, including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Belgium, the Netherlands, Türkiye, and Norway. The training is designed to strengthen readiness, interoperability, and joint defence capabilities in Arctic and extreme winter conditions.

The exercise also highlights NATO’s focus on protecting its northern flank, particularly following the alliance’s expansion to include Sweden and Finland, two Arctic-region countries that recently joined the alliance.

Canada–Norway Relations and Nordic Summit

Following the exercise, Carney will travel to Oslo, where he will meet with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.

The discussions will focus on expanding cooperation between Canada and Norway in several strategic sectors, including:

• Clean energy

• Critical minerals

• Aerospace

• Trade and investment

Carney will also attend the Canada–Nordic Summit, where leaders will discuss strengthening geopolitical coordination and security cooperation across the North Atlantic and Arctic regions.

The summit will provide an opportunity for Canada and Nordic partners to address shared priorities related to Arctic security, economic development, and defence collaboration.

Engaging Global Investors

During the visit, the Prime Minister will also meet with business leaders to promote Canada as a destination for global investment, particularly in industries linked to national security and economic resilience.

These sectors include defence manufacturing, critical minerals development, and artificial intelligence, which Ottawa sees as key drivers of economic growth and strategic independence.

Visit to the United Kingdom

After his meetings in Norway, Carney will travel to London, where he will meet with United Kingdom Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

The leaders are expected to discuss several major international issues, including:

• Collective defence among NATO allies

• Global economic shifts

• The evolving situation in the Middle East

The discussions will also build on Canada’s broader defence commitments with NATO and European partners.

Canada’s Arctic and Defence Strategy

Carney said the trip reflects Canada’s commitment to strengthening security partnerships in the Arctic and beyond.

“Canada is, and forever will be, an Arctic nation. In the face of new threats, we are deepening defence collaboration with our Arctic partners to create a stronger, more prosperous, and more secure world for Canada and for all.”

The Prime Minister’s Office noted that Canada and its NATO allies agreed at the 2025 NATO Summit in The Hague to increase defence investments, with members committing to spend 5 per cent of GDP on defence-related priorities by 2035.

Canada has also joined the European Union’s Security Action for Europe (SAFE) initiative, a program designed to improve defence readiness across Europe and strengthen cooperation with transatlantic partners.

Officials say the upcoming meetings and military exercises highlight Canada’s role in shaping Arctic security and strengthening NATO’s collective defence posture in an increasingly complex global security environment.

---

For more national and international coverage follow GTA Today.