Canada Signs Deals with EU, UK to Conclude G7 Tech Ministers’ Summit

Canada's Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation Evan Solomon, left, and the European Commission's Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy Henna Virkkunen hold a joint press conference during the G7 Industry, Digital and Technology Ministers’ Meeting, in Montreal on Dec. 8, 2025. The Canadian Press/Christopher Katsarov

Canada wrapped up a two-day gathering of G7 tech ministers this week by signing agreements with European partners, who are adopting a more stringent approach to regulating artificial intelligence compared to the United States.

The meeting of industry, digital and technology ministers in Montreal resulted in memorandums of understanding with the European Union and the UK and a joint initiative with Germany, which centre around digital issues, including artificial intelligence.

U.S. Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy Michael Kratsio also attended the Dec. 8-9 meetings, but no agreement with the United States was announced.

Artificial Intelligence Minister Evan Solomon said Canada has a robust trade relationship with its southern neighbour but it is also deepening its relationship with European countries.

“What we want to do strategically as well, as we move from reliance to resilience, is expand our trade, and we did that this past number of days,” he said during the closing press conference on Dec. 9.

He earlier noted that the meeting was about “strengthening digital sovereignty” and “accelerating innovation.”

“Canada is very proud, not only to work with the EU and our G7 partners, but also to develop the AI adoption blueprint that helps SMEs [small- and medium-sized enterprises] adopt AI with confidence and drive the next wave of growth and prosperity,” he said during remarks on Dec. 8. “And that will be one of the big takeaways from this G7.”

The two-day conference is part of a series of ministerial gatherings taking place this year under Canada’s presidency of the G7 nations. Leaders from the France, Italy, Japan, and the Republic of Korea also attended the meeting.

The meeting comes at a time of division between the EU, which is an advocate for joint AI regulation, and the United States, which has adopted its own approach to the technology under President Donald Trump. Trump is expected to sign an executive order this week that will establish rules for AI companies, instead of permitting states to create their own regulations. He has not indicated whether he will pursue collaboration with other nations on AI regulation.

Solomon was asked if the agreements suggest that Canada is aligning with EU policy over the United States. He responded that this is not a matter of “picking sides.”

“American companies are functioning across the EU and in the UK despite different rules…We’ve got to be very careful not to see [it] as an on-off switch,” he said.

He told reporters on Dec. 8 that the United States is “talking about aligning and working together, which we encourage.”

Series of Agreements

Solomon signed two memoranda of understanding with the European Union, a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the United Kingdom, and announced a new venture with Germany during the two-day event.

Solomon signed an MOU with the UK Minister for digital government Ian Murray that focuses on “national digital public infrastructure, reinforcing a shared commitment to secure and interoperable digital systems,” according to a government press release.

Murray said in a Dec. 10 social media post that the UK and Canada “are strengthening our tech partnership to drive growth, create jobs and deliver for working people.”

The agreements with the EU, meanwhile, are expected to expand cooperation in the areas of AI, data governance, and reliable digital services, while also focusing on digital sovereignty, the press release said.

European Commission executive vice-president for technological sovereignty, security and democracy Henna Virkkunen said AI adoption is a shared priority for the EU and Canada.

She told the Dec. 8 press conference that the EU plans to “exchange best practices with Canada to ensure that AI delivers productivity growth and public value.”

Canada and Germany didn’t sign an MOU but instead announced a new AI alliance.

Dubbed the Canada-Germany Digital Alliance, Solomon and his German counterpart, Minister Karsten Wildberger, said the framework aims to advance collaboration in AI, quantum technology, digital infrastructure, and talent mobility.

“We have a lot to offer both our countries to attract the best talents in this world,” Wildberger said at the Dec. 8 press conference. “Hopefully we can create the environment, from a Canadian-German perspective, an ecosystem that attracts talents, attracts industries, build infrastructure around it, foundational models from AI, and also diffuse it into society.”

Solomon said the G7 countries also expressed support for a Small and Medium-sized Enterprise AI Adoption Blueprint, a guide offering SMEs policy tools and deployment strategies aimed at increasing productivity and ensuring responsible AI adoption.

This blueprint comes with a new SME AI Toolkit that supplies resources to assist businesses in adopting AI, enhancing competitiveness, and expanding in global markets, he said.

The G7 leaders in attendance also endorsed the 2025 G7 Industry, Digital and Technology Ministerial Declaration, which outlines key areas for continued cooperation on economic and technological issues.

They said the outcomes of this declaration will enhance the competitiveness of G7 industries within a changing global market.