Canada and the Strengthening of the Euro-Atlantic Pillar

As part of its activities, the Forum de Défense et de Stratégie (FDS) organised, on 3–4 July 2025, a trilateral seminar bringing together representatives from Canada, Germany, and France around the theme of the transatlantic security architecture, its evolution, and future prospects. Building on the rich discussions that marked this meeting, FDS wished to extend the reflection by organising a follow-up event in Ottawa, aimed at revisiting the conclusions reached in July and deepening their implications. The summer of 2025 was particularly dense in security-related developments for the three partner countries: the signing of bilateral and multilateral agreements relating to the defence of the Northern Flank and the Arctic, a meeting between the U.S. and Canadian Heads of State, as well as Russian drone intrusions within NATO’s continental borders. Commitments made at the most recent Hague Summit have also continued to translate into new forms of industrial cooperation and defence procurement contracts.

Organised partly under Chatham House rules and partly in a public format, this hybrid event will feature several formats, including discussion sessions, a keynote address, and a roundtable. Exchanges will bring together experts and practitioners from the three partner countries. The event will be held in French and English.

Due to limited seating capacity and the fact that part of the event will take place under the Chatham House Rule, prior registration on Eventbrite should be considered as an expression of interest rather than a confirmed registration. Submitting this expression of interest will allow the organisers to manage attendance and ensure a balanced audience in line with the objectives of the event. Selected participants will subsequently receive a formal confirmation and an official invitation, including the exact venue details, once registrations have been reviewed.

Program

8:30 a.m. - Arrival of participants

8:45 a.m. - Mot de bienvenue

• Prof. Hugo Cyr, Director General at École Nationale D'administration Publique (ENAP)

• Dr. Laurent Borzillo

9:00–10:45 a.m.- Discussion (Chatham House format)

NORDEFCO, cooperation with the Baltic States, and the Franco-German duo: how can Canada benefit from deeper engagement in these groupings to strengthen its strategic position, advance its priorities, and play a leading role within the Alliance?

Moderator:  Jordan Leichnitz, Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Canada

Speakers:

▪ Tjorven Bellmann, Ambassador of Germany to Canada

▪ Christopher Coates, Former Lieutenant-General, Canadian Armed Forces (Macdonald-Laurier Institute)

▪ Alison LeClaire, Former Canadian Ambassador, Vice-President, Canadian Ambassadors Alumni Association

▪ Prof. Christian Leuprecht, Royal Military College of Canada (RMC) / Queen’s University

▪ Kaspars Ozoliņš, Ambassador of Latvia to Canada

▪ Dr. David Perry, Canadian Global Affairs Institute

10:45–11:15 a.m.- Coffee break

11h15-11h55 - Keynote and discussion (public event)

 (Re)establishing Canada as a leader on selected defence issues through mini-lateral agreements within the transatlantic community

Speaker: Scott Millar, Assistant Deputy Minister (Policy), Department of National Defence

Discussant: Prof. Chantal Lavallée, Royal Military College Saint-Jean

12:00–1:30 p.m. - Roundtable (public event)

Which initiatives related to Europe’s defence posture, Arctic deterrence, and defence procurement could enhance Canada’s role and influence within the transatlantic security architecture?

Moderator: Charlotte Duval-Lantoine, Canadian Global Affairs Institute

Speakers:

• Wendy Gilmour, Former Deputy Secretary General of NATO
• Dr. Mathieu Landriault, Director, Observatory on Arctic Policy and Security (OPSA)
• Dr. Kerry-Lynn Nankivell, Department of National Defence
• Colonel Philippe de Tanouarn, Defence Attaché, Embassy of France to Canada
• Hanne Ulrichsen, Ambassador-designate of Norway to Canada (tbc)

1:30 p.m. – Cocktail reception

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