Canada, France pledge to work together on space infrastructure, business

Prime Minister Mark Carney and French President Emmanuel Macron pledged to work together in the areas of space infrastructure, business and economic growth as the leaders met Sunday in the French territory of Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon.

Speaking to reporters, Carney said he and Macron will task their space agencies and defence ministries to develop and share common infrastructure, including space launch systems and ground-based reception facilities.

A spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office said the countries plan to work together on infrastructure that can receive data from satellites.

Carney said that he and Macron will also task the regional joint cooperation commission between Atlantic Canada and Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon to expand its work in economic growth, energy transition and climate resilience.

He said the countries’ chambers of commerce are also joining forces to bring their business communities closer together.

The French and Canadian chambers of commerce are expected to sign an agreement in the coming weeks.

The pair shook hands and hugged as Carney stepped off the plane, with several airport workers huddled nearby to take photos and videos of the leaders.

The leaders took park in a working lunch before attending a wreath-laying ceremony at a memorial for the volunteers of Free France.

In December 1941, Free French forces peacefully liberated the archipelago from the control of the Vichy regime, which aided Nazi Germany during the Second World War.

Wendy Sandeman, who was at the ceremony, held a sign welcoming Carney. Originally from Newfoundland, Sandeman said she moved to the island almost 40 years ago to be with her partner.

Sandeman said it was fantastic for both countries for the leaders to be in Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon.

“I wanted to show my support for Mr. Carney with the problems that Canadians are having against the Americans right now,” she said, with a tear running down her face.

Sabrina Chatel, a geopolitics teacher in Saint-Pierre, said she spoke with her students about the leaders’ visit ahead of Sunday.

Chatel said the meeting was historic given what’s happening in the world, adding that it can open doors for the future.