OTTAWA – Finland's President Alexander Stubb is visiting Ottawa this week, with a packed agenda set to fortify the ties between Canada and Finland. His trip includes notable stops at Rideau Hall and a hockey rink before his first official meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney. On Wednesday, he is scheduled to lead public discussions focusing on defense, Arctic security, and industrial partnerships, one of which will include Industry Minister Mélanie Joly.
In a meeting at the Prime Minister's Office, Stubb highlighted the shared values and interests between Finland and Canada, emphasizing that he views Canada as an honorary member of both the European Union and Nordic countries. This sentiment underscores the close relationship that these two Arctic nations share.
Northern Geography
Finland and Canada are both Arctic nations, with Finland having nearly one-third of its land mass located above the Arctic Circle, while almost 40 percent of Canada’s territory lies within its three northern territories. A joint statement released last year by both countries reaffirmed their commitment to a "peaceful, prosperous, and stable" Arctic, outlining collaborative efforts such as the Icebreaker Collaboration Effort, which includes a pact with the United States to produce polar icebreakers. The statement also stressed the importance of advancing the rights and well-being of Indigenous Peoples and northern communities in both nations.
NATO and Military Defence
Finland's membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) commenced in 2023, following increasing concerns about Russia's military actions, specifically after its invasion of Ukraine. Canada was the first country to ratify Finland's request to join NATO. According to NATO’s annual report published in March 2026, Carney's administration met the alliance’s defense spending benchmark by allocating over $63 billion, which is roughly two percent of Canada’s GDP. Finland's defense spending reached 2.87 percent of its GDP, exceeding $9 billion. Both Finland and Canada are dedicated to ensuring that Arctic and Northern perspectives are incorporated into NATO's activities, as indicated in their joint statement from the previous year.
Economic Ties
The trade relationship between Canada and Finland has shown significant growth, with merchandise trade valued at $2.4 billion in 2025. This included Canadian exports worth approximately $621.2 million and imports amounting to $1.8 billion. The partnership primarily focuses on science, technology, and innovation, with Canadian mining companies establishing a strong presence in northern Finland. Canadian businesses also rank among the largest private sector employers in Lapland. The two-way trade has seen an increase of 33.5 percent since 2017, demonstrating a robust economic collaboration.
Moreover, leaders from Canada and Nordic countries such as Norway, Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, and Finland convened last month in Oslo to discuss ways to defend Arctic sovereignty and enhance economic collaborations against external pressures that exploit technology and trade as coercive tools. During this meeting, the group addressed the necessity for bolstering trade and investment initiatives in light of U.S. tariffs and other geopolitical pressures, including threats regarding Greenland’s status.
Hockey
Hockey, regarded as the most popular sport in both Canada and Finland, has fostered a spirit of camaraderie and competition between the two nations. The teams frequently face off in high-stakes tournaments, further solidifying their connection. For instance, Canada narrowly defeated Finland 3-2 in the men's hockey semifinal at the 2026 Winter Olympics, a match which President Stubb humorously referred to during his visit with Gov. Gen. Mary Simon. Canada also advanced to the finals of the 4 Nations Face-Off after defeating Finland in 2025, while Finland celebrated victory over Canada with a 4-3 overtime win to claim the gold at the IIHF World Championship in 2022. The shared passion for hockey was evident as Carney and Stubb participated in practice drills with the Professional Women’s Hockey League’s Ottawa Charge, engaging in light-hearted conversations about the sport.
Middle Powers
Both Finland and Canada are recognized as stable middle powers in the global arena. During his visit to Ottawa, Stubb articulated that effective foreign policy is interwoven with values, interests, and power. He expressed that countries like Finland and Canada can exert greater influence when they collaborate. Prime Minister Carney has been an advocate for middle powers to unite against the dominance of larger nations. This theme was a focal point of his impactful speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland in January 2026, where he called for cooperation among middle powers to resist "American hegemony" and the coercive tactics employed by larger nations against smaller states.
