Canada advances international cooperation on industry, AI and digital technology at the G7 Industry, Digital and Technology Ministers' Meeting

MONTRÉAL, Dec. 9, 2025 /CNW/ - Today's global challenges--including international peace and security, global economic stability and growth, and the digital transition--require Canadians and allies to work together to find shared solutions. Working with G7 partners, Canada is building a new era of collaboration--one rooted in trusted partnerships, competitive economies, and innovation that delivers for people and businesses.

Today, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, and the Honourable Evan Solomon, Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, concluded the G7 Industry, Digital and Technology Ministers' Meeting in Montréal, Quebec.

The ministers met with their G7 counterparts from France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States and the European Union, as well as representatives from the Republic of Korea. They discussed priorities and cooperation on topics such as industrial competitiveness, quantum technologies, supply chain security and artificial intelligence (AI).

Over the course of the sessions, G7 ministers spoke about the challenge they face in accessing critical inputs for industrial growth without developing economic dependencies. They addressed a changing trade environment that is making it more important than ever to remove barriers to innovation, while supporting industrial--and digital--transformation. To this end, G7 ministers affirmed their desire to work together to build the partnerships needed to drive cross-border business and investment and ensure ongoing economic vitality.

Under Canada's leadership--building on the commitments made at the G7 Leaders' Summit in Kananaskis--G7 countries welcomed the Small and Medium-sized Enterprise AI Adoption Blueprint, a practical guide that provides small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with policy tools, trusted use cases and deployment strategies to accelerate productivity and responsible AI adoption. This blueprint is accompanied by a new SME AI Toolkit, delivered under Canada's G7 Presidency, which offers concrete resources to help businesses adopt AI, drive competitiveness and scale in global markets.

Ministers also endorsed the 2025 G7 Industry, Digital and Technology Ministerial Declaration, which details areas for ongoing collaboration on vital economic and technology issues. The results of this declaration will make G7 industries more competitive in an evolving global landscape.

On the margins of the G7, Minister Solomon concluded a series of major international agreements:

• Two memoranda of understanding with the European Union, expanding collaboration on AI, data governance and trusted digital services, and advancing shared work on digital sovereignty
• A memorandum of understanding with the United Kingdom on national digital public infrastructure, reinforcing a shared commitment to secure and interoperable digital systems
• A joint statement launching the new Canada–Germany Digital Alliance, a strategic framework to advance cooperation on AI, quantum, digital infrastructure and talent mobility

Minister Solomon and his German counterpart, Minister Karsten Wildberger, also highlighted an upcoming joint call for proposals to advance the commercialization of quantum technologies with Germany. As well, with his United Kingdom counterpart, Minister Ian Murray, Minister Solomon highlighted the opportunity to express interest for projects to build preparedness for a quantum communications demonstration between Canada and the United Kingdom.

These initiatives position Canada and its partners to build shared industrial strength, deepen innovation ecosystems and lay the digital foundations of tomorrow's economy.

Quotes

"As we conclude this G7 Industry, Digital and Technology Ministers' Meeting, I am proud to see Canada and our G7 partners united in strengthening global supply chains and driving forward strategic industrial investments. Together, we are protecting our industrial competitiveness and ensuring our economies remain resilient. Canada reaffirms its commitment to international collaboration, democracy and economic leadership--building a future where our industries thrive and our partnerships set the standard for global progress."
– The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions

"Our G7 collaboration has delivered concrete tools to help businesses compete--especially the SME AI Toolkit and the SME AI Adoption Blueprint that Canada took the lead on. We are giving entrepreneurs trusted, practical solutions to adopt AI, scale faster and grow productivity. Through new partnerships with the European Union, the United Kingdom and Germany--including the Canada–Germany Digital Alliance and a joint quantum commercialization call--we are strengthening digital sovereignty, accelerating innovation and opening new frontiers of opportunity. Together with our G7 partners, Canada is not just envisioning the future but also building it."
– The Honourable Evan Solomon, Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario

Quick facts

• The Group of Seven (G7) is an informal grouping of seven of the world's advanced economies (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States, as well as the European Union). Its members meet annually at G7 summits to discuss global economic and geopolitical issues.
• In 2025, Canada and its G7 partners celebrate 50 years of partnership and cooperation. Ever since France hosted the first meeting in 1975, the G7 has been a driving force for international peace, economic prosperity and sustainable development.
• From June 15 to 17, 2025, G7 leaders gathered in Kananaskis, Alberta, for the G7 Leaders' Summit. As host, Canada led discussions on shared priorities, including international trade, peace and security, and global economic stability.
• The Ministers' Meeting supports concrete action that aligns with the broader priorities of Canada's G7 Presidency: protecting our communities and the world, building energy security and accelerating the digital transition, and securing the partnerships of the future.

Related products

• Implementing the G7 AI Adoption Roadmap 
• G7 IDT Ministerial Declaration
• G7 IDT Ministerial Statement on SME AI Adoption Blueprint
• G7 IDT SME AI Adoption Blueprint
• Toolkit for SMEs Deploying AI
• AI Adoption by SMEs: Insight from G7 case studies and Canada's experience
• OECD G7 Discussion Paper on AI Adoption by SMEs

Associated links

• Canada's 2025 G7 Presidency
• G7 Leaders' Statement on AI for Prosperity
• Kananaskis Common Vision for the Future of Quantum Technologies

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Contacts: Gabrielle Landry, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, [email protected]; Sofia Ouslis, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, [email protected]; Media Relations, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, [email protected]