Montréal, Quebec — December 9, 2025 — Leads & Copy — Canada and the United Kingdom (UK) have reinforced their commitment to collaborate on digital public service infrastructure and innovation in critical digital infrastructure. This commitment was highlighted during a meeting between the Honourable Evan Solomon, Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, and the Right Honourable Ian Murray, the Minister of State for Digital Government and Data for the UK, on the margins of the G7 Industry, Digital and Technology Ministers’ Meeting in Montréal.
Minister Solomon and Minister Murray discussed key areas of collaboration, including commercial digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence safety, and data policy. They also reaffirmed their joint commitment to develop secure transatlantic communications based on quantum technologies. This would enable national systems to connect and support the creation of a global, next-generation network.
To support this bilateral collaboration and Canada’s National Quantum Strategy, the Canadian Space Agency has invited eligible respondents to submit an expression of interest for projects contributing to an in-orbit quantum communications demonstration by December 12, 2025.
The two ministers signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Cooperation in the Field of Digital Government and the Digital Economy. This MOU aligns with commitments made in June by Prime Minister Mark Carney of Canada and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer of the UK, emphasizing digital public infrastructure, AI safety, and secure communications as key areas of collaboration.
Both countries will continue to promote innovative research, support job creation, develop talent, and encourage responsible AI adoption to foster economic and technological growth. They will also collaborate on AI safety and security through their respective AI safety and security institutes.
Minister Solomon stated that digital transformation is helping to build a stronger economy and deliver better services and that Canada is committed to working closely with the United Kingdom as it advances its digital strategies, embraces innovation and ensures technology is adopted safely and responsibly, so every Canadian can benefit from the opportunities of a modern, connected economy.
Minister Murray noted the close partnership between the UK and Canada, particularly in science, innovation, and technology. He expressed that his visit this week is about ensuring those bonds deliver for hard-working people and that, as the two countries continue to work together, there’s no limit to the benefits and opportunities they can unlock as they harness the potential of emerging technologies.
Quick Facts:
- Canada was the first country in the world to introduce a national AI strategy.
- Since 2016, the Government of Canada has announced over $4.4 billion to support AI and digital research infrastructure, including major investments to scale up AI compute infrastructure, support AI adoption programs and launch an AI safety institute.
- The Government of Canada is supporting the responsible development and adoption of AI across the Canadian economy through a suite of measures—including the Pan-Canadian Artificial Intelligence Strategy and the launch of the Canadian AI Safety Institute.
- The government has also launched the Voluntary Code of Conduct on the Responsible Development and Management of Advanced Generative AI Systems, the Implementation guide for managers of artificial intelligence systems and the Advisory Council on Artificial Intelligence.
- In August 2025, the federal government signed a memorandum of understanding with Cohere Inc. to explore opportunities to deploy AI technologies across the Government of Canada in order to enhance operations within the public service and build out Canada’s commercial capabilities in using and exporting AI.
Related Products:
- Call for Expression of Interest (EOI) – Quantum Communications and Networking Demonstrator
- Joint statement by Prime Minister Carney and Prime Minister Starmer
Associated Links:
- Joint ministerial statement between Canada and the UK on advancing artificial intelligence safety
- Canada-United Kingdom relations
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The Honourable Evan Solomon, Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
The Right Honourable Ian Murray, Minister of State for Digital Government and Data for the United Kingdom (UK)
Source: Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
