Canada is stepping up to meet the moment. In Ukraine, Prime Minister Carney joined President Zelenskyy in Kyiv on Ukraine鈥檚 Independence Day (August 24, 2025) and will continue on to Poland, Germany, and Latvia, while my recent mission took me to Sweden and Finland. Together, these efforts demonstrate Canada鈥檚 commitment to NATO and to deepening ties with Europe at a critical time for democracies.
In Stockholm, Minister M茅lanie Joly and I met with senior leaders to explore collaboration efforts in aerospace, defence, advanced supply chains, and clean technologies. This was a demonstration of our willingness to work together and move forward with practical solutions rooted in shared values that will strengthen both our economies and our security.
From there, our mission carried us to Finland, where I participated in the steel cutting ceremony for Polar Max, Canada鈥檚 newest polar icebreaker. This is more than a shipbuilding contract. It is a joint Canadian Finnish venture. Finnish shipyards bring world class ice class expertise, while Canadian workers are already on site for training and knowledge transfer. When the vessel arrives in Canada, the superstructure will be assembled here and the finishing touches applied, ensuring Canadian industry is directly engaged. Standing in that shipyard, seeing the project come together in allied hands, was a powerful reminder of how cooperation builds capability. Polar Max will be critical to defending our sovereignty in the North and ensuring safe Arctic navigation.
Taken together, these missions reflect the continued growth of Canada鈥檚 foreign and defence policy, expanding long standing relationships and building them out in ways that are broader, deeper, and more integrated than ever before.
None of this diminishes the importance of the United States. The U.S. will always be a close ally, a major trading partner, and a critical defence collaborator through NORAD. But the world has changed. Rising protectionism in Washington and new security realities in Europe mean that Canada must diversify its partnerships. Our prosperity and our security depend on working more closely with like minded nations that share our values: democracy, freedom, and the rule of law.
For too long, Canada was labelled a laggard within NATO. Defence spending lagged behind allies, and procurement delays eroded credibility. That reputation is changing. Canada is modernising procurement, investing in its armed forces, and committed to NATO鈥檚 spending targets. The message from Kyiv, Stockholm, and Helsinki is the same. Canada is fully engaged with its allies, committed to shared security and collective strength.
The benefits extend well beyond defence. Stronger ties with Europe mean new opportunities for Canadian industries, not only in aerospace, shipbuilding, and critical minerals, but also in agriculture and advanced technology. As Europe looks for secure and reliable partners, Canada is ready to deliver with responsible development and innovation. Canadian workers in every province and territory will see the benefits of this renewed engagement.
These partnerships also make Canada more resilient. Diversifying markets offsets the risks of tariffs and trade disputes. Deeper security cooperation ensures that Canada is not dependent on any single ally for its defence. In today鈥檚 unpredictable world, redundancy is strength.
There is also a moral dimension. Supporting Ukraine is not simply about geography. It is about defending the principle that aggression cannot be rewarded. Upholding that principle abroad ensures that it endures at home.
The world is at an inflection point. Autocracies are testing the resolve of democracies. In response, Canada is proving that it has the resolve, the credibility, and the will to act. Whether it is supporting Ukraine, reinforcing NATO鈥檚 northern flank, or building the tools to defend sovereignty in the Arctic, Canada is showing it will lead by example.
This is the Canada we must continue to build: principled, resilient, and ready to lead alongside our allies in shaping a freer, safer world.
Stephen Fuhr
Secretary of State, Defence Procurement
MP 琉璃神社, B.C.
