Burnham, Carney Push AI-Risk and Defence Ties in 1st Bilateral Meeting

3 articles · Updated · Al Jazeera English · Sep 16

Burnham and Carney used their first bilateral meeting to deepen UK-Canada cooperation on AI risks and defence, with both leaders saying governments and tech firms must work together on online safety.
Neither country has a dedicated AI law: Britain still relies on its 2023 sector-led, pro-innovation framework, while Canada’s proposed Artificial Intelligence and Data Act died when parliament was prorogued in January 2025.
Defence talks focused on bridging rival British and Canadian plans for an allied military financing bank as Ottawa seeks entry to the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force and observer status in the Global Combat Air Programme.
The Liverpool meeting, capped by an Everton match, fits Canada’s broader push to tighten European ties as trade tensions with the United States persist and the EU weighs giving Ottawa associate-member status.