Prime Minister Mark Carney has launched his first international trip since taking office, meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris as part of an effort to strengthen Canada's relationship with its key allies amid concerns about US relations under President Donald Trump.
The newly sworn-in prime minister began his visit at Notre-Dame Cathedral.
Carney, who is Catholic, toured the historic landmark that reopened in 2024 after extensive rebuilding efforts that President Macron described as giving a "shock of hope" to France.
This European tour, coming just days after Carney's Friday swearing-in ceremony, includes meetings with Macron and later with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in London, UK.
A senior government official explained the purpose of the trip during a Sunday briefing to reporters.
"I think the message, subtle or otherwise, is that Canada has good friends around the world. It is also a very good friend of the United States, but we all know what is going on there, and it is evident that we can do more with other countries, not just the United States,” said the official.
“I think that the purpose of the trip is to double down on partnerships with key European countries. It’s early days in the mandate, and he’s going to be, I believe, laying the groundwork for more work to come.”
Carney said that “I want to ensure that France and the whole of Europe works enthusiastically with Canada, the most European of non European countries.”
One of Carney's initial actions as prime minister was directing Defence Minister Bill Blair to review Canada's order of F-35 jets from the US, which could be used as a possible bargaining tool should trade tensions with Trump continue to escalate.
The French aerospace industry had briefly participated in Canada's fighter jet competition before withdrawing due to technical concerns.
Following his Paris engagements, Carney will travel to London on Monday afternoon to meet with Prime Minister Starmer and have an audience with King Charles.
The talks come as Starmer works to build what he calls a "coalition of the willing" to support Ukraine in potential ceasefire negotiations with Russia.
Carney spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky over the weekend, formally inviting him to the upcoming G7 summit in Kananaskis, Alberta.
Zelensky shared on Twitter/X that he had "a good and substantive conversation with Mr. Carney," saying that the prime minister "made the right points about how we need to step up pressure on Moscow."
As Canada holds the G7 presidency this year, Carney's discussions with French and British leaders are expected to help shape the summit agenda, according to government officials.
The prime minister will visit Iqaluit on Tuesday before returning to Ottawa that evening.
International diplomacy is familiar territory for Carney, who previously served as governor of both the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England, as well as a UN climate envoy.
During his first weekend in office, Carney had calls with global dignitaries while also meeting Quebec Premier Francois Legault and attending a St. Patrick's Day parade.
Carney is expected to meet with provincial premiers this week before calling a general election as early as this weekend.
