England: British Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney held their first bilateral meeting, focusing on strengthening cooperation in defence and artificial intelligence (AI), before attending a football match together at Everton’s stadium in Liverpool.
According to a statement from the British Prime Minister’s Office, the two leaders agreed that governments and the technology sector must work together to promote online safety and address the risks associated with the rapid development of AI.
The meeting came shortly after Burnham’s spokesperson welcomed growing discussions among leading AI companies about the potential risks posed by increasingly advanced systems.
The spokesperson also warned that existing regulatory frameworks may not remain adequate as AI capabilities continue to advance. Neither the UK nor Canada currently has a dedicated standalone law governing artificial intelligence.
The UK has followed a pro-innovation and sector-led approach since publishing its AI policy paper in March 2023. Under this model, individual sector regulators are responsible for overseeing the use of AI rather than a single piece of legislation governing the technology.
In Canada, the proposed Artificial Intelligence and Data Act lapsed after Parliament was prorogued in January 2025, bringing an end to pending legislation. The measure has not since been revived, with the Canadian government currently relying on existing privacy laws and a voluntary industry code for AI governance.
Defence cooperation on agenda
Defence was another key focus of the meeting, with discussions centred on competing British and Canadian proposals for an allied military financing bank. The talks come as Canada seeks closer defence ties with European allies. Ottawa has applied to join the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force and has also joined the Global Combat Air Programme as an observer.
The discussions also take place against the backdrop of Canada seeking to strengthen its relationship with Europe with ongoing trade tensions with the United States. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has proposed that Canada become the European Union’s first associate member, signalling potential for deeper cooperation between Ottawa and European partners.
The bilateral meeting between Burnham and Carney was followed by a shared appearance at Everton’s stadium, where the two leaders watched a football match together.
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