Canada, Finland Deepen Arctic Maritime Security Ties With New Pact

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney (Liberal) hosted Finnish President Alexander Stubb (National Coalition Party) in Ottawa in the first such visit in 12 years, as the two NATO allies moved to strengthen coordination in an increasingly contested Arctic region.

At the center of the visit was a new Canada–Finland maritime memorandum of understanding, aimed at boosting joint capabilities in polar shipping, icebreaking and maritime industry cooperation.

In a joint statement, the two countries said they would “strengthen our collective capabilities in support of [...] Allied security, and safe, responsible navigation in northern waters,” underscoring a growing focus on security in the High North.

The agreement builds on longstanding cooperation in Arctic shipbuilding and technology, with both countries seeking to expand industrial partnerships and innovation across ports, vessels and marine systems.

It also reinforces joint work under the Icebreaker Collaboration Effort (ICE Pact), a trilateral initiative with the United States to scale up production of polar icebreakers and enhance Arctic sovereignty.

Security considerations are central to the deepening ties. Canada and Finland, both Arctic nations and NATO allies, said they would step up defence cooperation, including joint training, information sharing and interoperability.

“We will deepen defence and security cooperation through information sharing, training, and interoperability,” the leaders said, adding that they plan to negotiate a General Security of Information Agreement to facilitate intelligence-sharing and industrial collaboration.

The two countries also pointed to increased joint military activity in Arctic conditions, including exercises such as Cold Response and Operation Nanook, which are designed to prepare allied forces for extreme-weather operations and reinforce deterrence in the region.

NATO’s northern flank

The move comes as NATO places growing strategic emphasis on the Arctic, where melting ice is opening new shipping routes and intensifying competition with Russia and China. Finland’s accession to NATO in 2023, alongside Sweden, has significantly strengthened the alliance’s northern flank and Arctic operational capabilities.

Both Ottawa and Helsinki have increasingly aligned their Arctic strategies in response to these shifts. A 2025 bilateral strategic partnership highlighted shared priorities in maritime security, including addressing risks such as shadow fleet activity and hybrid threats.

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Cooperation on icebreakers

Recent cooperation has also extended to defence industrial projects. Finland’s shipbuilding expertise has been leveraged in new icebreaker construction for Canada, reflecting a broader push to close capability gaps as Arctic activity accelerates.

Analysts say such partnerships are becoming critical as Western allies seek to match Russia’s large icebreaker fleet and growing military presence in the region.

During Tuesday’s talks, the leaders reiterated their commitment to strengthening NATO’s collective defence and increasing defence spending, while also linking Arctic security to broader transatlantic stability.

“As trusted partners, Allies, and friends,” the joint statement said, Canada and Finland would pursue closer coordination across “the Arctic and maritime domains, defence, security and resilience.”

Beyond security, the agreement also includes expanded cooperation in Arctic research, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, though officials made clear that maritime capabilities and defence cooperation would be a central pillar of the partnership going forward.