Vincent Rigby on the Risks and Realities of Canada鈥檚 New EU Defence Pact | The Globe and Mail
July 9, 2025 |聽Vincent Rigby, along with retired vice-admiral Mark Norman, former deputy trade minister Tim Sargent, former defence minister Perrin Beatty, and professor Fen Hampson, wrote a report highlighted in The Globe and Mail that raises concerns about Canada鈥檚 new Security and Defence Partnership with the European Union. The pact, signed by Prime Minister Mark Carney, aims to reduce Canada鈥檚 reliance on U.S. military contractors and boost the Canadian defence industry by tapping into the EU鈥檚 growing defence market. However, the report warns of significant political, fiscal, and logistical hurdles鈥攊ncluding potential U.S. retaliation, technological export restrictions, and internal EU spending challenges鈥攖hat could hinder the agreement鈥檚 benefits. The authors, part of the Expert Group on Canada-U.S. Relations, caution that without careful planning and strong political will, Canada risks overcommitting without the infrastructure or public support to deliver.
