MP Fuhr: Collective defence with Germany, Norway
Published 12:00 pm Monday, December 22, 2025
Over the lead up to Christmas, I find myself in Europe meeting with allies in Norway and Germany to discuss collective defence and what a new submarine capability could look like for Canada. These are serious, substantive conversations with countries that understand the strategic environment we are facing and the responsibility that comes with it. There is a clear eyed realism in these meetings about the world as it is, paired with a shared determination to respond in a calm, practical, and cooperative way.
Norway and Germany are close partners of Canada and longstanding NATO allies. They are also working together on the U-212CD submarine, a joint program that reflects the kind of cooperation middle powers increasingly need. For Canada, these discussions are about more than platforms and specifications. They focus on interoperability, industrial participation, training, sustainment, and ensuring that any future capability strengthens both our security and our economy.
What has been particularly reassuring during these meetings is the clear sense that Canada is not alone. Our European partners recognize the position we are in and are keen to work with us. As the United States steps back from its traditional leadership role in some areas, it becomes even more important for middle powers to step forward together. If we do not occupy that space, others will, and not all of them share our values or our commitment to a rules based international order.
In January, I will be headed to South Korea to meet with counterparts there, including discussions with Hanwha, as we continue our engagement with partners connected to the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project. Both the U-212CD and South Korea’s KSS-3 have emerged through a rigorous process, and our focus now is on understanding how each option could meet Canada’s operational needs while delivering lasting value for Canadians.
This work is about meeting the moment. Canada is taking deliberate steps to strengthen our resilience and reduce over reliance on any single partner. That includes investing in housing, advancing major nation building projects, and leveraging defence procurement to stimulate economic growth and innovation across the country. Done properly, defence investments can create high quality jobs, build domestic expertise, and reinforce the social safety net that Canadians value and expect.
While much of my work right now is international, I remain closely connected to Kelowna. From Europe, I had the opportunity to reach back home and share good news with several small businesses in our community. Through PacificCan, approximately four million dollars in support has been approved to help local businesses grow and scale. Making those calls and letting people know, just before the holidays, that their hard work and ambition were being backed was one of the highlights of this trip.
Since the election, our constituency office in Kelowna has also been hard at work delivering for residents. The team has resolved hundreds of cases for constituents, helping people navigate federal programs and ensuring the government meets its obligations. I am extremely proud of the professionalism and dedication of our staff, and grateful for the work they do every day to support people in our community.
Looking ahead, 2026 will bring its own challenges. The scheduled review of CUSMA, still often referred to as NAFTA, will not be easy, particularly given the instability we continue to see in the United States under the Trump administration. Canada has faced difficult negotiations before, and we will approach this one with confidence, preparation, and a clear sense of our national interest.
For now, my focus remains on strengthening Canada’s partnerships abroad while continuing to deliver tangible results at home. I will be back in the riding toward the end of December and into the first weeks of January, before heading to South Korea to continue this important work. To everyone in Kelowna, I wish you a Merry Christmas and happy holidays. As always, thank you for the trust you place in me to represent our community at home and abroad.
MP Stephen Fuhr
Secretary of State Defence Procurement