Singapore and Canada signed a joint statement on economic cooperation in Ottawa.
Singapore Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan made an official visit to Ottawa, Canada, from 17 to 18 September 2026, where he met Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Anita Anand to review bilateral relations and discuss areas for further cooperation. The ministers also signed a Joint Statement establishing a Singapore-Canada Economic Partnership Framework covering emerging technologies, energy and food security, two-way investment, supply chain resilience and public service cooperation.
During the meeting on 18 September, Dr Balakrishnan and Minister Anand reviewed cooperation in trade and investment, defence and security, and people-to-people ties. They also looked forward to Singapore Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Lawrence Wong’s planned visit to Canada later in 2026 as an opportunity to advance bilateral relations.
Source: Facebook/Vivian Balakrishnan
The Joint Statement set out the two countries’ intention to establish the Economic Partnership Framework as a practical mechanism for advancing cooperation in areas of mutual interest. The framework included joint research, innovation and commercialisation in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and quantum technologies, as well as cooperation on cybersecurity and emerging technology governance. It also covered energy security, agri-food cooperation, investment facilitation, resilient supply chains and paperless trade.
Source: Facebook/Vivian Balakrishnan
The ministers also discussed Singapore-Canada cooperation through ASEAN. They considered opportunities during Singapore’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2027, which will coincide with the 50th anniversary of ASEAN-Canada Dialogue Relations. The two sides also reiterated their commitment to concluding negotiations on the ASEAN-Canada Free Trade Agreement in a timely manner and noted ongoing discussions on joint capacity-building programmes under the Singapore Cooperation Programme.
Source: Facebook/Vivian Balakrishnan
Dr Balakrishnan separately met Evan Solomon, Canada’s Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario. Their discussions covered bilateral cooperation in emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and quantum technologies.
Source: Facebook/Vivian Balakrishnan
During the visit, Dr Balakrishnan also engaged Canadian academics, business leaders and officials. Discussions covered developments in Canada, geopolitical developments and Canada’s engagement with the Indo-Pacific region.
The joint statement described the framework as a means to advance “practical initiatives” and said the two countries would identify mechanisms to coordinate implementation, monitor progress and maintain regular exchanges. The statement was issued in Ottawa on 18 September 2026 and was not legally binding.
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs Singapore
