Minister Hodgson advances energy security and international partnerships in Poland and France

PARIS, Feb. 20, 2026 /CNW/ – Canada is strengthening domestic and international economic and energy security by working with allies to diversify trade, secure investment and sell our best-in-class energy and minerals to the world.

This week, the Honourable Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, visited Warsaw, Poland, and Paris, France, to advance these priorities.

In Poland, Minister Hodgson made progress on the Canada–Poland strategic partnership announced by Prime Ministers Carney and Tusk in August 2025, advancing the potential for Poland to choose Canadian technology to build its second nuclear power plant, highlighting its strong fit for Poland’s long-term goals. The Minister also affirmed Canada’s readiness to mobilize our nuclear expertise and industrial capacity, as well as federal support, should Poland move forward with Canadian partnership on its nuclear energy buildout.

The Minister also participated in meetings with business and government officials and discussed opportunities for new Canada–Poland energy trade and collaboration across areas such as  liquefied natural gas, hydrogen, offshore wind and grid modernization technologies.

The Minister then attended the International Energy Agency (IEA) Ministerial Meeting in Paris, France, where he met with leaders from the European Union, New Zealand, Norway, Türkiye and the United Kingdom and chaired a critical minerals dialogue with government and industry leaders, to match French and European investors with Canadian mining investment opportunities. Pointing to Canada’s 2025 G7 Presidency and our introduction of the Canada-led Critical Minerals Production Alliance, Minister Hodgson reiterated that Canada is a stable, reliable partner for energy and mining investment and trade.

Minister Hodgson also announced up to $15 million in joint federal funding, through Natural Resources Canada and the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), to support Kinectrics Inc.’s proposed public-private collaboration on the promising UK Atomic Energy Authority–Eni H3AT loop tritium facility, paving the way for a formal announcement of the collaboration with our key G7 partner in the coming weeks. This funding positions Canadian companies at the forefront of the emerging fusion supply chain and will create new opportunities for Canadian businesses and workers.

Minister Hodgson also participated in a dialogue on the Future of Ukraine’s Energy Security, reaffirming Canada’s unwavering support for Ukraine and highlighting Canada’s contributions to restoring power, stabilizing Ukraine’s energy systems and countering Russia’s strikes on energy infrastructure that seek to weaponize winter weather. The Minister met with Denys Shmyhal, First Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine and Minister of Energy, to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Strategic Cooperation in the Energy Sector. The MOU addresses Ukraine’s wartime energy needs while benefiting both countries in the long term by reinforcing energy infrastructure resilience against cyber and physical attacks and promoting expertise sharing in the deployment of micro-grids in rural areas.

Through these engagements, Minister Hodgson reinforced Canada’s role as an energy superpower and worked to bring new trade and investment opportunities to Canada. These efforts will help build more resilient energy systems, diversify supply chains and support good jobs and long-term prosperity for Canadians while contributing to stability abroad.

Quotes

“Canada has what the world wants: reliable and abundant resources; responsible development; and a steadfast commitment to our allies, democracy and multilateralism. That is why we are moving quickly to deepen co-operation with new and diverse international partners — not only to strengthen energy security and competitiveness worldwide but also to take advantage of our resources to create opportunities and prosperity at home for Canadians.”

The Honourable Tim Hodgson
Minister of Energy and Natural Resources

“Southern Ontario’s world-class resources, manufacturers, innovators and skilled workforce continue to set our country apart as a leader in the clean energy economy. This investment in Kinectrics Inc. will advance cutting-edge tritium infrastructure that supports the safe development of clean fusion energy, protects workers and communities, and positions Ontario’s growing nuclear sector for global success.”

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

• Since Russia’s unprovoked and unjustifiable full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Canada has been a leading supporter of Ukraine’s energy security, providing financial and technical assistance and helping to coordinate international support through the G7+ Ukraine Energy Coordination Group.
• In October 2025, Minister Hodgson signed a Joint Declaration of Intent on Strategic Cooperation in the Energy Sector with Ukraine at the G7 Energy and Environment Ministers’ Meeting in Toronto, Ontario.
• Canada is a founding member of the International Energy Agency, which works closely with its member countries to strengthen global energy security and accelerate the global clean energy transition through data, analysis and policy recommendations and solutions.
• Minister Hodgson also announced over $1 million in grants to the IEA for initiatives that advance Canada’s strategic energy priorities, including regional engagement in Southeast Asia.

Associated Links

• Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of Natural Resources of Canada and the Ministry of Energy of Ukraine on Strategic Cooperation in the Energy Sector
• Canadian Critical Minerals Strategy

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SOURCE Natural Resources Canada