Prime Minister Mark Carney is pushing for dramatically deeper ties with the European Union, including allowing young Canadians and Europeans to “live, work and study where they want” across the Atlantic as U.S. President Donald Trump threatens retaliation over the emerging alliance.
Speaking before the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Thursday, Carney welcomed the EU’s proposed “Alliance for the Future” and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s push to make Canada the bloc’s first “associate member.”
“Canada welcomes this ambition,” Carney said, claiming polling shows an “overwhelming majority” of Canadians support much closer ties with Europe. He did not identify the poll.
Carney proposed deeper integration in defence, critical minerals, artificial intelligence, energy, financial services and digital trade, along with greater mobility for young people.
“We should deepen our people-to-people ties, allowing our youth to live, work and study where they want on either side of the Atlantic,” he said.
Carney also backed Canadian participation in the EU’s Erasmus+ education and Horizon research programs and called for integrating Canadian and European financial services markets.
He framed the alliance as a way for Canada and Europe to strengthen their sovereignty and reduce vulnerability to economic pressure from larger powers.
“The objective is not self-sufficiency. It is collective resilience,” Carney said.
“I am not proposing a third bloc in order to become a great-power rival — only with better manners.”
Carney said deeper Canada-EU ties could help create the “next just, stable, and prosperous world order.”
Von der Leyen proposed Wednesday moving beyond the existing Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement.
“We will move from CETA to an Alliance for the Future to create a common prosperity and economic security space,” she said.
“I would like to work with you on opening the door for Canada to be the first associate member of the EU.”
What “associate member” would mean remains unclear. The designation is not currently a defined EU membership category. And Canada has not agreed to it, and Carney did not use the label himself Thursday.
The proposed alliance could deepen cooperation in areas ranging from defence and energy to advanced manufacturing, AI, quantum technology, cybersecurity and the Arctic.
Carney said the final structure would be debated in Parliament and ultimately put to a vote. The next Canada-EU summit is scheduled for Montreal on Oct. 29 and 30.
The European push comes as Canada’s economic relationship with the United States deteriorates.
Trump warned Wednesday that Canada becoming an EU associate member could amount to a “hostile act,” according to the president.
“If it’s a good intention, that’s fine. If it’s a bad intention, we’ll put very heavy tariffs on Europe,” Trump said.
He also called the prospect “laughable,” branded Canada a “terrible trade partner” and suggested Washington could restrict trade with Europe.
The same day, Trump signed a presidential memorandum directing officials to identify Canadian-origin products in the federal civilian procurement system that could, where warranted and permitted by law, be removed or made unavailable for purchase.
Carney denied his European push was a reaction to Trump, calling it a “positive” project intended to strengthen Canadian sovereignty.
“This is about building,” Carney said. “It will make Europe stronger; it will make Canada stronger.”
His government has set a goal of doubling Canada’s non-U.S. trade over the next decade.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, meanwhile, has demanded clarity about the negotiations and warned against importing EU laws, taxes or immigration rules.
“Conservatives say no EU taxes, no EU laws, and no EU open-border rules on immigration in Canada,” Poilievre told Juno News Wednesday.
“Canada must be independent and sovereign. Period.”
The precise rules and obligations of the proposed alliance remain undefined, while Carney maintains that deeper integration with Europe would strengthen Canadian sovereignty.
"Carney said the final structure would be debated in Parliament and ultimately put to a vote. The next Canada-EU summit is scheduled for Montreal on Oct. 29 and 30."
I'm making popcorn for that coverage.
Cannot wait to see Carney ripped to shreds. Of course, why would he even show up, the little shrew that he is, when he can just spend millions on continued travel to Europe now that he has another whole angle to use as an excuse for his glaring absence. God help the minions he leaves in his stead to supply answers to the conservatives, who will no doubt be frothing at the mouth.