By: Ebenezer Adugyamfi/ Emmanuel Ayiku for GhanaianNewsCanada
September 11, 2026
Canada is preparing to welcome Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre to Ottawa for high-level discussions aimed at strengthening the growing relationship between the two Arctic and NATO allies.
Prime Minister Mark Carney announced on September 11 that Støre will visit Ottawa, Ontario, from September 20 to 21, 2026, for talks covering a wide range of economic, technological and security issues.
The visit comes as Canada and its European partners increasingly seek closer cooperation on defence, energy security, supply chains and Arctic security amid a more uncertain global geopolitical environment.
Focus on Canada-Norway economic ties
During the visit, Carney and Støre are expected to discuss ways to expand cooperation in several strategic sectors, including energy, critical minerals, sovereign technology, artificial intelligence and aerospace.
The Canadian government sees Norway as an important partner because of its expertise in energy and technology, as well as its position as an Arctic nation and NATO member.
The two countries have also been working to strengthen economic links at a time when governments are placing greater emphasis on reliable supply chains and reducing vulnerabilities in strategically important industries.
In 2025, merchandise trade between Canada and Norway reached $3.8 billion, comprising approximately $2.3 billion in Canadian exports to Norway and $1.6 billion in imports.
Trade in services was also significant. In 2024, bilateral services trade totalled $1.3 billion, with Canada exporting $424 million in services to Norway and importing $839 million.
Arctic security expected to be a major issue
Security in the Arctic and North Atlantic is expected to feature prominently during the leaders’ discussions.
Canada and Norway share a strategic interest in maintaining security across the Arctic region, where changing geopolitical conditions have increased the importance of surveillance, military readiness, infrastructure and resilient supply chains.
Both countries are NATO allies and have been strengthening cooperation on northern defence.
Carney and Støre are expected to examine ways to improve security and resilience in the Arctic and North Atlantic, modernise defence capabilities and strengthen defence supply chains that can support the security needs of both countries and their allies.
The discussions build on agreements reached earlier in 2026, when Carney visited Norway and met with Støre.
At that time, Canada and Norway agreed to deepen cooperation in areas including trade and investment, space, energy, critical minerals, emerging technologies, artificial intelligence, security and defence.
Critical minerals and technology take centre stage
Critical minerals are likely to be another important part of the discussions.
Both Canada and Norway are seeking to strengthen secure and diversified supply chains for resources that are increasingly important to advanced manufacturing, energy technologies, defence and the wider global economy.
The two countries have already identified critical minerals as an area where their respective industries and governments could work more closely together.
Technology will also be part of the agenda, particularly sovereign technology and artificial intelligence.
Canada and Norway have previously discussed cooperation aimed at strengthening domestic technological capabilities, expanding access to advanced computing and supporting research and innovation in areas such as artificial intelligence and quantum technologies.
Energy cooperation
Energy will form another significant component of the Canada-Norway relationship.
Norway is one of the world’s major energy producers and has developed extensive expertise in both conventional and clean-energy sectors.
Canada, meanwhile, is seeking to expand its role as a reliable supplier of energy and natural resources while also developing new clean technologies.
The two countries have previously agreed to increase cooperation on energy security, sustainable resource management and the transition toward cleaner energy systems.
For Canada, stronger relationships with resource-rich European partners could also help create new investment and export opportunities while strengthening the country’s position in global energy markets.
A relationship shaped by shared Arctic interests
Canada and Norway’s relationship extends beyond economics.
The two countries are both members of the Arctic Council, NATO and the United Nations, and they share a number of interests concerning the future of the Arctic and North Atlantic.
They are also members of the Maritime Security Partnership, which aims to strengthen cooperation among like-minded countries in support of collective defence and security in the region.
Earlier this year, Canada and Norway described themselves as close partners whose relationship is rooted in shared values, common interests and their positions as Arctic nations and founding members of NATO.
Their cooperation has increasingly expanded into defence, space, artificial intelligence, critical minerals, energy and economic security.
Norway’s financial strength could also create opportunities
Norway’s enormous sovereign wealth provides another potential dimension to the relationship.
According to the Canadian government, Norway’s sovereign wealth fund is worth more than $3.5 trillion, making it the world’s largest sovereign wealth fund.
For Canada, deeper economic ties with Norway could therefore create opportunities for investment, particularly in areas connected to infrastructure, energy, technology, critical minerals and defence.
Carney has also made attracting investment and strengthening Canada’s domestic industrial capacity central elements of his government’s economic strategy.
Carney: Canada and Norway have growing ties
Announcing Støre’s visit, Carney described Canada and Norway as strong partners whose cooperation is expanding across energy, defence and technology.
He said the upcoming meeting would provide an opportunity to strengthen the NATO alliance while creating additional opportunities for businesses and workers in both countries.
“Canada and Norway are strong partners with growing ties in energy, defence, and technology,” Carney said. “I look forward to hosting Prime Minister Støre as we deepen our economic relationship, strengthen the NATO Alliance, and create new opportunities for Canadian and Norwegian workers and businesses.”
What the visit could mean for Canada
The September meeting comes at a time when Canada is placing greater emphasis on relationships with European and Arctic partners.
For Ottawa, closer cooperation with Norway could help advance several priorities at once: strengthening Canada’s northern security, expanding defence-industrial capacity, securing critical mineral supply chains, attracting investment and creating new markets for Canadian businesses.
For Norway, closer cooperation with Canada provides another important partnership with an Arctic and NATO ally at a time when security in the High North and North Atlantic has become increasingly important.
The September 20–21 visit is therefore expected to go beyond a traditional diplomatic meeting, with the two governments seeking practical areas where their economic and security interests can be aligned.
As Canada and Norway deepen their partnership, the Arctic is increasingly becoming one of the central areas where their shared interests in security, energy, technology, trade and sovereignty converge.
