Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has previously said his nation was not seeking membership but instead a ‘unique alliance’ with the EU.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (L) delivers a speech near Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney (2nd R) during her annual State of the Union address at a plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, on Sept. 16, 2026. Jean-Christophe Verhaegen/AFP via Getty Images
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen says she is pursuing a pathway for Canada to obtain associate member status within the European Union.
The move to strengthen ties comes amid an ongoing trade dispute between Canada and the United States.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney was in the front row at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France on Sept. 16 as von der Leyen presented plans for stronger co-operation between Europe and Canada during her state of the union address.
“I would like to work with you on opening the door for Canada to be the first associate member of the European Union,” von der Leyen said.
Carney could be seen beaming in his seat before walking to the front to embrace von der Leyen during a standing ovation. He waved to the chamber before returning to his chair.
Von der Leyen said Europe wants to bring the relationship with Canada to the “highest level possible” by moving beyond the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). CETA was negotiated by former Prime Minister Stephen Harper and it went into effect after his tenure in 2017.
“Our cultural, historical, and personal links run deep in the fabric of our societies and thanks to CETA, our trade and goods has grown by 75 percent in less than a decade,” von der Leyen said.
She said Canada and the EU see the world “with the same eyes” on issues like AI, climate change, and geopolitics.
The EU chief said they would form a new tech alliance with Canada and integrate their defense industrial bases. The EU also seeks to cooperate with Ottawa on the Arctic, energy, critical minerals, quantum, AI, cybersecurity, and economic security.
Canada this year became the first non-European country to join the EU’s 150-billion-euro ($173-billion) SAFE defense program, giving Canadian companies access to joint procurement as Europe seeks to increase its defense readiness.
Von der Leyen emphasized that EU partnerships with Canada are aimed at building common strength and are “not against anyone else.”
“These partnerships are a strategic choice for Europe. But they also respond to the fracture in the international rules-based system,” she said.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney smiles as he listens to the European Commission president deliver a speech during her annual State of the Union address at a plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, on Sept. 16, 2026. Jean-Christophe Verhaegen/AFP via Getty Images
Carney’s office on Wednesday welcomed von der Leyen’s proposal, saying Canada is deepening ties with the EU “to strengthen our sovereignty” and supported a move beyond their existing free trade agreement, CETA.
Carney also posted briefly about his meetings with von der Leyen and European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, calling Canada and the EU “natural partners, united by shared values.”
“With President von der Leyen and President Metsola, we focused on what comes next: a closer partnership that strengthens our mutual sovereignty in order to create more opportunities and prosperity for our people,” Carney wrote on social media.
Carney was asked about the two sides reportedly pursuing associate membership earlier this week after the Wall Street Journal reported on the proposal based on unnamed sources. Carney didn’t refer to the term “associate member” in his response, instead saying that Canada isn’t pursuing “membership” in the bloc. He added that Canada wants to have a “unique alliance” with the EU.
The Conservatives voiced concern after the report initially came out, raising questions about implications to Canadian sovereignty.
“Will European border policies apply in Canada, further overwhelming our immigration system while our youth can’t find homes?” Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said on social media. “Will Canadian waitresses struggling with rent have to pay tax dollars to the bloated EU bureaucracy?”
Carney has yet to comment on a potential associate membership but stressed that both regions “share the same values.”
“We’re stronger together, and this is at a time when the world’s more dangerous and divided, and friends need to stick together at these times,” he said.
Carney told Bloomberg on Monday that he believes that a “mutually advantageous agreement” is possible between Canada and the United States. Trade talks broke down on Aug. 21, with each side blaming the other for making last-minute demands that the other wasn’t willing to accept. They subsequently imposed new tariffs on each other’s products.
“We’re ready to sit down and negotiate that and move it forward,” Carney said.
President Donald Trump has said a deal with Canada could come “fairly soon,” but it would depend on Ottawa’s willingness to address U.S. concerns about agricultural trade.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.