Britain and the other Joint Expeditionary Force nations are still considering Canada’s application to join the grouping and no timetable has been set for a decision, Louise Sandher-Jones, Minister for the Armed Forces, has said, according to an answer given in Parliament.
David Reed, the Conservative MP for Exmouth and Exeter East, asked what timetable had been agreed for concluding consideration of the application. Sandher-Jones replied:
“The UK and the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) Participant Nations continue to consider Canada’s relationship with the Framework. At their meeting in Iceland in October 2026, JEF Defence Ministers discussed opportunities to deepen cooperation between the JEF and Canada in the context of Canada’s application to join the JEF. The UK and Participant Nations will continue considering Canada’s future relationship with the JEF through established JEF processes.”
Canada applied for full membership of the UK-led force in September. The JEF brings together ten northern European nations, and its navy chiefs signed a Northern Navies agreement in Oslo this week.
