Carney in Norway for NATO Wargames
Prime Minister Mark Carney arrived in Norway this week for a diplomatic visit that combined high-level bilateral meetings with a first-hand look at a major NATO wargaming exercise involving Canadian troops.
The trip saw Carney meet with Norway's prime minister as well as the German Chancellor, using the occasion to strengthen ties with two of Canada's key European NATO allies at a moment of heightened geopolitical tension.
Submarines: A Hot Topic That Cooled
One of the more notable headlines from the visit was what didn't happen: submarine procurement was taken off the table during the discussions. Canada has long grappled with the question of replacing its aging submarine fleet, and Norway, home to a sophisticated naval industry, had been seen as a potential partner.
For now, at least, that conversation appears to have been shelved, though defence procurement remains a live issue for Canada as it works to meet NATO spending commitments.
NATO Wargaming and Canada's Arctic Presence
The wargaming exercise Carney observed included Canadian Forces personnel, underscoring Canada's ongoing commitment to collective NATO defence. The exercises are designed to test alliance coordination and response capabilities, increasingly relevant given tensions with Russia and the evolving security landscape in the Arctic.
Norway shares a border with Russia and has been a vocal advocate for stronger NATO readiness in the High North. Canada, as an Arctic nation, has a natural alignment with Norway on these issues.
Building European Alliances
The Norway and Germany stop is part of a broader European diplomatic push by Carney, who has been actively cultivating relationships with allied leaders since taking office. Earlier stops included London, where he met with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to discuss the Middle East crisis and energy security.
Germany remains one of Canada's largest European trading partners and a critical NATO ally. Strengthening ties with Berlin is seen as strategically important, particularly as Canada navigates the dual pressures of U.S. tariff policy and global instability.
What This Means for Canadian Defence
For Canadians watching defence policy, Carney's European tour signals an intent to deepen multilateral security commitments while managing the politically sensitive question of military spending increases. Canada has faced sustained pressure from NATO partners to raise its defence spending toward the alliance's two per cent of GDP target.
The wargaming exercise attendance is a visible gesture of commitment, even if the harder questions about submarines, fighter jets, and Arctic sovereignty infrastructure remain works in progress.
Source: CBC Politics
