The inaugural Transatlantic Legislators’ Liberty Dialogue brought together liberal parliamentarians from Europe and Canada to advance cooperation on defending democracy, protecting liberal values, and strengthening rules-based internationalism at a time of significant geopolitical strain.
Twenty legislators – ten from Europe and ten from Canada – met (under the Chatham House Rule) to exchange perspectives, build new working relationships, and shape a sustained political network across the Atlantic. The Dialogue aims to support continuous engagement between liberal lawmakers through structured tables and bilateral connections.
The dialogue was co-sponsored by Liberal International and its Canadian Group, with support from Renew Europe in the European Parliament and the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE). It was co-convened by Sir Graham Watson, former Leader of ALDE in the European Parliament and Chair of Liberal International British Group, and the Honourable Art Eggleton, former Canadian cabinet minister and senator, Vice-President of Liberal International, and head of its Canadian Group. The Transatlantic Legislators’ Liberty Dialogue was held at the University of Toronto, Munk School of Global Affairs, November 13-15,2025.
Three keynote speakers – Paul Glastris, Editor-in-Chief of Washington Monthly and former speechwriter for President Clinton; Michael Link, former Minister for Europe in the German Government; and Chrystia Freeland, former Deputy Prime Minister of Canada and currently Canada’s Special Representative for the Reconstruction of Ukraine – brought a wealth of insight to participants at the Dialogue Table.
Working sessions centred on five key themes:
Participants welcomed the strengthening of EU-Canada cooperation as both sides diversify partnerships beyond reliance on the United States and China. They noted progress since the June 2025 EU-Canada Summit, driven by the leadership of Foreign Minister Anita Anand and the European External Action Service under Kaja Kallas, including closer coordination in defence, climate policy, digital regulation, justice and crime prevention.
As part of the programme, the European delegation joined the Ontario Liberal Party Convention, where they were welcomed by nearly a thousand delegates and met Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Anita Anand, and Minister of Industry, Mélanie Joly.
Participants agreed that this pioneering Dialogue represents a major step toward building a permanent platform for liberal legislators across the transatlantic space and expressed strong support for continuing and expanding the model.
Sir Graham Watson
Co-Convenor
Hon. Art Eggleton
Co-Convenor
