Canadians are 'overwhelmingly open' to closer EU ties as Carney heads to Europe: poll

Support for Canada deepening its relationship with Europe is growing, a new poll has found, as Prime Minister Mark Carney prepares to travel to Strasbourg, France, to strengthen ties with the European Union.

An Abacus Data survey, which was conducted from September 4 to 9, found that 80 per cent of Canadians say Canada should deepen strategic cooperation with the European Union on foreign policy, defence, and economic priorities — up six points since February.

The European Union itself is viewed positively by 71 per cent of Canadians, up five points since February, compared to 16 per cent who have a negative impression of it, which is unchanged from February.

Elsewhere, 81 per cent support closer integration with the EU, including making it easier to trade, travel, work and study and to cooperate on security, while 56 per cent say Canada has more in common with the countries of the EU than with the United States. Just 16 per cent say Canada has more in common with the United States.

The survey found that support for Canada deepening strategic cooperation with the EU is broad, and crosses provincial boundaries. It reaches 84 per cent in British Columbia, 79 per cent in Alberta, 74 per cent in Saskatchewan and Manitoba, 80 per cent in Ontario, 82 per cent in Quebec, and 73 per cent in Atlantic Canada.

The partisan difference is more marked, but a majority across party affiliations are in support. Among Liberal voters, 92 per cent support deeper cooperation with the EU, as do 92 per cent of NDP voters and 86 per cent of Bloc Québécois voters. Among Conservative voters, support is lower but still reaches 69 per cent.

The findings come ahead of Carney’s trip to Europe from September 15 to 17, where he is scheduled to address the European Parliament in Strasbourg, attend European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s State of the European Union address, and meet with members of the European Parliament.

On Sunday, The Wall Street Journal reported that Carney wishes to make Canada the first-ever “associate member” of the EU, which would allow Canada’s goods, services and workers in defence, energy, AI, and critical minerals to move freely in Europe.

However, the prime minister poured cold water on the claim later that day while on the red carpet of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). The Globe and Mail reports that Carney said, “We’re not looking to become a member of the European Union,” but that Canada is starting talks with the EU about forming a “unique alliance.”

It comes as the federal government continues to frame closer ties with Europe as part of a broader effort to diversify Canada’s economic and security relationships and reduce its vulnerability to an increasingly unpredictable U.S. under president Donald Trump.