Canada will officially join the European Union’s ambitious new defence initiative, ReArm Europe, as part of a broader effort to strengthen military capacity and reduce reliance on the United States. The announcement came during Tuesday’s throne speech, delivered by King Charles III in Parliament.

“The government will protect Canada’s sovereignty by rebuilding, rearming, and reinvesting in the Canadian Armed Forces,” the King said, confirming that Canada will participate in ReArm Europe alongside its transatlantic allies.

The ReArm Europe plan, introduced by the EU in March, proposes up to C$1.25 trillion in defence investments over the next five years. A key part of the initiative is a new loan program — the Security Action For Europe (SAFE) — which offers C$235 billion to support joint arms production among European partners and allied nations like Canada.

The move marks a significant shift in Canadian defence policy, signaling a diversification of military alliances amid growing concerns about global security. Prime Minister Mark Carney has emphasized the importance of reducing Canada’s dependency on U.S. defence spending and exploring stronger ties with Europe.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen welcomed Canada’s participation, saying, “Europe must now assume a greater share of responsibility for its own security and defence.” Talks between Carney and European leaders began last year and intensified following recent geopolitical tensions and President Trump’s ongoing threats to reduce U.S. involvement in NATO.

The throne speech also confirmed that Canada will strengthen its presence in the Arctic and invest in domestic defence production, as part of a “Made in Canada” strategy. While no specific figures were announced in the speech, the Liberal government has previously promised nearly $40 billion in new defence spending over four years and a goal of reaching NATO’s 2% GDP target by 2030.

Carney has said Canada will continue to engage with the U.S. on projects like Trump’s “Golden Dome” missile defence plan where appropriate, but he stressed that Canada must also “strengthen partnerships with reliable allies.”

This strategic pivot signals a new chapter in Canadian defence, focused on sovereignty, transatlantic cooperation, and a modernized military.