Canada & UK Forge Alliance for a Secure, People-First Digital Future

MONTRÉAL, QC – December 10, 2025 – On the margins of the G7 Digital Ministers' meeting, Canada and the United Kingdom have formalized a landmark technology partnership, signing a Memorandum of Understanding that goes far beyond fostering innovation. This strategic alliance is a deliberate move to construct a future where cutting-edge technologies like quantum computing and artificial intelligence are built on a foundation of public trust, security, and tangible benefits for citizens on both sides of the Atlantic.

The agreement, signed by Canada's Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation, Evan Solomon, and the UK's Minister of State for Digital Government, Ian Murray, outlines a shared vision for cooperation in digital public services, secure data policy, and AI safety. While the discussions involved complex concepts of next-generation networks and advanced algorithms, the underlying mission is profoundly human: to ensure that the digital transformation shaping our world is guided by democratic values and delivers real progress for people.

This pact reinforces a top-level commitment made earlier in June by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, signaling that this collaboration is a core strategic priority for both nations. It positions the two allies not merely as participants in the digital race, but as architects of its rules.

Building an Unbreakable Digital Lifeline

A cornerstone of the agreement is the joint development of a transatlantic communications network based on quantum technologies. Far from an abstract scientific pursuit, this initiative aims to create what is essentially an unhackable digital pipeline. By harnessing the principles of quantum physics, these networks can provide a level of security for data transmission that is impossible with today's classical technologies.

For the average person, the implications are immense. This technology promises to safeguard everything from personal health records and financial transactions to the integrity of national power grids and emergency services. As our lives become increasingly intertwined with digital systems, the vulnerability of that data becomes a critical challenge. The Canada-UK quantum network represents a foundational step toward a future where citizen privacy and national security are protected by the very laws of physics.

This ambition is backed by significant national investment. Canada’s National Quantum Strategy, supported by over $500 million in federal funding, is driving progress in quantum computing, sensing, and communications. As a concrete step, the Canadian Space Agency has put out a call for partners on a project to demonstrate quantum communications from orbit—a critical test for creating a truly global network. The UK mirrors this commitment with its own ten-year, £2.5 billion National Quantum Strategy, creating a powerful synergy of resources and expertise dedicated to making this secure digital future a reality.

Reimagining Public Services for the Digital Age

Beyond the futuristic promise of quantum computing, the MOU solidifies a shared, long-standing goal: to deliver better, more efficient, and more accessible government services. This is not a new ambition; a similar MOU was signed in 2017 to improve digital government. The new agreement accelerates this work, focusing on building robust digital public infrastructure.

This infrastructure is the digital equivalent of roads and bridges, enabling seamless, secure interactions between citizens and the state. It’s about moving beyond clunky websites and paper forms to a world where renewing a passport, accessing health services, or filing taxes is simple, intuitive, and secure. As Minister Solomon noted, "Digital transformation is helping to build a stronger economy and deliver better services for everyone."

The partnership aims to exchange knowledge and best practices, learning from each other’s successes and challenges in modernizing public administration. It’s a recognition that in the 21st century, a government’s ability to serve its people effectively is directly tied to its digital capabilities. The goal, as UK Minister Ian Murray articulated, is to ensure that these technological bonds "deliver for hard-working people—from Calgary to Cowdenbeath and Winnipeg to Winchester."

A United Front on Artificial Intelligence Safety

Perhaps the most critical aspect of the collaboration is the joint focus on artificial intelligence safety. Both Canada and the UK have emerged as global leaders in the movement to ensure that AI develops in a way that is safe, ethical, and aligned with human values. This agreement formalizes their alliance in shaping the global conversation on responsible AI governance.

Both nations have established dedicated bodies to tackle this challenge. Canada launched its AI Safety Institute (CAISI) in 2024, backed by a portion of a $2.4 billion federal investment in AI. The UK established its own AI Security Institute (AISI), the first state-backed organization of its kind. These institutes are not working in isolation; they are part of a growing international network dedicated to researching, evaluating, and mitigating the risks of advanced AI systems. Their collaborative work will focus on preventing algorithmic bias, protecting against malicious uses like sophisticated cyber-attacks, and ensuring that AI systems are transparent and accountable.

This proactive approach is vital for building public trust. For AI to be a force for good in areas like medical diagnostics or climate change modeling, people must be confident that it is being deployed safely. Initiatives like Canada's Voluntary Code of Conduct for generative AI serve as an important bridge, establishing standards for accountability and fairness while more comprehensive legislation is finalized. This joint Canada-UK front on AI safety aims to create a powerful counterweight to unchecked technological development, championing a model where safety and ethics are prerequisites for innovation, not afterthoughts.

Through this multi-faceted alliance, Canada and the United Kingdom are crafting a blueprint for a more secure and equitable digital society. By focusing on the foundational pillars of secure communication, citizen-centric services, and responsible AI, they are working to ensure that the immense power of technology is harnessed for the genuine progress of all people.