Carney and Macron to deepen Canada-France ties in Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon

Floyd Brenz., Philippine Canadian Inquirer
September 16, 2026

Photo Courtesy: CBC News

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to meet French President Emmanuel Macron in Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon on Sept. 20, as the two countries move to strengthen cooperation in energy, defence and other strategic industries.

The meeting will take place in the French territory off the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador, marking the first official visit by a Canadian prime minister to the archipelago. The two leaders are expected to discuss closer cooperation in aerospace, critical minerals, energy and advanced technologies.

Their discussions are also expected to cover emerging areas such as quantum technology, satellites and supercomputing, reflecting efforts by Canada and France to expand their economic and technological partnership.

The meeting comes as Carney’s government seeks to strengthen Canada’s relationships with European partners amid continued trade tensions with the United States. Canada and the European Union are exploring deeper cooperation in strategic sectors, including energy, artificial intelligence, defence and critical minerals.

Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon also carries particular significance because Canada and France share a maritime border in the area. The French overseas territory is located roughly 25 kilometres from Newfoundland, making it a natural point for discussions on regional cooperation and economic ties.

The visit is part of Carney’s broader European engagement, as Ottawa looks to build stronger international partnerships and diversify its economic and strategic connections. Bilateral merchandise trade between Canada and France reached $15.2 billion in 2025, according to the Canadian government.

The upcoming meeting therefore places Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon at the center of a wider effort to deepen Canada-France relations and expand cooperation beyond traditional trade and diplomacy, with energy, defence and advanced technology emerging as key areas of the partnership.