CF of CANZUK statement on the 2025 Canadian federal election
We would like to extend our congratulations to Mark Carney and the Liberal Party of Canada for their victory in yesterday’s Canadian election. Mr Carney has been a vocal supporter of CANZUK, and we look forward to continuing to deepen our – and the wider UK CANZUK movement’s – relationship with Canada.
Now is the time for Canada to truly lead on CANZUK. This will be the first Parliament where the overwhelming majority of MPs in the new Parliament were elected on a pro-CANZUK platform. We see two main areas of potential growth:
1. Deeper economic ties
As Tony Clement P.C. opined during last week’s joint briefing with the Conservative Commonwealth Group, the hostility of the current United States administration demonstrates the clear need for Canada to reduce its dependency on the US. One goal for this Parliament must be to finally sign a bespoke Canada-UK free trade deal. Beyond this, working to promote trading ties and deepen cooperation between specific sectors of our four economies (e.g. agriculture) will strengthen all four realms.
2. Increased defence and security co-operation
Similarly to the three other CANZUK realms, Canada has faced increased Chinese intelligence gathering. You also face a belligerent Russia in the Arctic and a continued hostility from your closest neighbour and former protector. The ANZUK realms will always stand with Canada, and increasing our defence and security ties is eminently sensible. Continuing to work closely in the intelligence sphere and increased defensive interoperability are two goals which will strengthen us all.
A final note for Mr Poilievre and the Conservative Party of Canada. We send our deepest commiserations. Though we work with all to promote CANZUK, we are a conservative organisation and have close ties to the Canadian Conservatives. A close defeat is perhaps more bitter than the landslide defeat we faced in the UK last year. Now is a time for reflection and regrouping before the CPC returns to promoting a conservative alternative.
We at the Conservative Friends of CANZUK will continue to strive towards making CANZUK a reality. We look forward to working with all in Canada to further this goal.
Signed
The Committee of the Conservative Friends of CANZUK