Prime Minister Carney seeks 'unique alliance' with EU, not membership
Carney says Canada wants closer ties with the European Union forged on shared values and strategic interests as tensions with the U.S. escalate.
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Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada is not seeking membership in the European Union but wants to forge a "unique alliance" based on common values, priorities and strengths.
Carney responded to the characterization Sunday at a Toronto International Film Festival event, after a Wall Street Journal report suggested he was exploring whether Canada could become an "associate member" of the bloc. Carney is exploring whether Canada could become an "associate member" of the European Union, according to The Wall Street Journal report published on Sunday.
The move signals a strategic pivot as Canada's trade war with the United States escalates. "The world has become more dangerous and divided," Carney said. "Friends need to stick together in these times."
Discussions are underway on multiple fronts. Canada and the EU are talking about allowing Canadian goods, services and workers in strategic supply chains—energy, AI, defence and critical minerals—to move more freely. They're also exploring infrastructure projects: laying underwater cables, jointly constructing data centres and cloud storage, building satellite networks, and shipping Canadian energy to Europe.
Carney has spoken regularly with French President Emmanuel Macron about the possibility of visa-free movement for Canadians in the EU, according to reporting from the Wall Street Journal, citing two unnamed officials familiar with the matter. Carney and Macron are set to meet later this month. The Canadian embassy in Brussels and European Commission spokespeople have not responded to requests for comment.
For British Columbia, the EU is an export destination for goods. The Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement already governs trade between Canada and EU member states.
Carney is hosting an investment summit in Toronto this week that has attracted potential partners from around the world. No specific timeline or next steps for formal discussions have been announced.
What legal framework would an 'associate member' status require, and is the EU willing to create one?
How would visa-free movement for Canadians work within EU immigration law?
We'll update this story as answers emerge.
By the numbers
What does Canada want from the EU instead of membership?
Prime Minister Mark Carney is seeking a 'unique alliance' with the European Union based on common values, priorities and strengths, not full membership in the bloc.
What strategic areas are Canada and the EU discussing for closer cooperation?
Canada and the EU are discussing ways to allow Canadian goods, services and workers to move more freely in strategic supply chains including energy, artificial intelligence, defence and critical minerals.
What infrastructure projects are Canada and the EU exploring together?
The discussions include laying underwater cables, jointly constructing data centres and cloud storage, building satellite networks and shipping Canadian energy to Europe.
