Canada and France unite space programs for shared defense infrastructure

Canada and France announced plans to jointly develop and use infrastructure in the defense and space sectors, following talks between Prime Minister Mark Carney and President Emmanuel Macron. Carney stated that the countries' space agencies and defense ministries are tasked with building and sharing common infrastructure, including launch systems and receiving complexes. The announcement was made during a joint appearance on the Saint-Pierre and Miquelon islands. Carney linked modern sovereignty to access to artificial intelligence, space, semiconductors, critical minerals, and clean energy, without specifying which facilities would be included. The news follows European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's proposal to grant Canada associate membership in the EU.