Prime Minister Mark Carney and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen are set to meet in Montreal later this month to launch a pioneering charter of shared principles for middle powers, according to a coalition of leading Canadian foreign‑policy and trade scholars. The proposed “middle‑power compact” would echo the 1941 Atlantic Charter, updating its ethos for a digital age while offering a clear alternative to an increasingly unpredictable United States under Donald Trump. The Expert Group on Canada‑U.S. Relations, whose paper is published jointly by Carleton University’s Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, the Canadian Global Affairs Institute and the University of Calgary’s School of Public Policy, argues that Ottawa and Brussels must move beyond transactional trade deals and articulate a broader vision that can rally democracies such as Japan, South Korea, Britain, Australia and New Zealand.
The Charter’s Origins and Ambition
The idea first gained traction when Mr Carney, in a January address at the World Economic Forum in Davos, warned that the post‑Cold War rules‑based order had suffered “a rupture, not a transition.” He called for middle powers to act collectively, lest they be left “on the menu.” The Expert Group’s paper, titled A Middle Power Charter for a Troubled World, builds on that call. It proposes a document that would be open to any democracy willing to uphold its principles, and even leaves the door open for a future U.S. administration that might choose to adhere. The charter would reaffirm the spirit of the Atlantic Charter—rejecting territorial aggrandisement, upholding self‑determination and championing free trade—while adding five new principles tailored to the digital era.
Five Pillars for a New Era
The first pillar stresses the defence of democracy at home, emphasising free and fair elections, peaceful transfers of power, freedom of expression, a free press and the protection of minority rights. The second commits each nation to the right to determine its own future without force or coercion, pledging non‑interference in democratic processes and joint efforts against disinformation. The third focuses on supply‑chain resilience, calling for coordinated action among middle powers to reduce vulnerabilities in critical sectors such as technology, energy, finance and defence, while forbidding the use of trade as a weapon. The fourth advocates pooling resources through joint investment and shared capabilities in defence, research, infrastructure and emerging technologies to achieve scale sufficient to deter aggression. The fifth pledges adherence to international law, reinforcement of multilateral institutions and urgent cooperation on global challenges ranging from climate change to AI governance and weapons of mass destruction.
Key Figures Behind the Proposal
The Expert Group’s paper is authored by a distinguished roster of former officials and scholars. It includes former federal cabinet minister Perrin Beatty, ex‑ambassador Jonathan Fried, ex‑trade negotiator John Weekes and former prime ministerial chief of staff Brian Clow. Additional contributors are Fen Hampson, a professor of international affairs at Carleton; former business leader Thomas d’Aquino; ex‑diplomat Colin Robertson; former MP Martha Hall Findlay; former Ontario deputy minister Drew Fagan; international trade lawyer Lawrence Herman; former federal deputy minister Tim Sargent; and policy expert Heather Exner‑Pirot. Their combined experience lends weight to the argument that Canada must articulate a clearer strategic vision if it is to build substantive ties with like‑minded democracies.
Domestic Support and Broader Geopolitical Context
Public opinion appears to favour closer formal ties with the European Union. A recent poll found that a majority of Canadians support deeper engagement with Brussels. The timing of the Montreal summit reflects a broader shift in Canadian foreign policy, as Ottawa seeks to diversify away from over‑reliance on the United States. While the summit aims to deepen trade and cooperation—including plans to link next‑generation payment systems and discussions on visa‑free travel—the Expert Group urges a more ambitious agenda that places political and economic purpose at the forefront.
Why it Matters
The proposed middle‑power compact could reshape the architecture of global governance by offering a viable alternative to a waning unipolar order. By uniting democracies that share a commitment to rule‑of‑law, democratic resilience and technological responsibility, the charter could create a new axis of influence capable of shaping outcomes on issues from climate action to AI regulation. For Canada, the initiative presents an opportunity to assert strategic autonomy, strengthen ties with Europe and position itself as a leader among middle powers at a time when traditional alliances are under strain. The success of the Montreal summit will therefore have far‑reaching implications not only for North‑American and European trade, but for the future shape of the international system itself.
