Carney wants Canada to join Europe’s Erasmus+ program. What is it?

Prime Minister Mark Carney and President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola participate in a joint news conference at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press)

Photo: (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press)

David Cummings (new window) · CBC News ·

As Canada and the EU court closer ties, Prime Minister Mark Carney signalled clear interest in joining Erasmus+, a popular European exchange program.

While many details of the suggested new partnership are left to be ironed out — like what it would mean to be the EU's first associate member — Carney specifically pitched Canadian involvement in Erasmus+ when he delivered a speech at the European Parliament (new window) in Strasbourg, France, on Thursday.

Canadian membership of Erasmus+ would give your students and ours more opportunity to learn at some of the world's top universities, to broaden their horizons and to build those lasting ties that will sustain our alliance for the future, Carney said.

Carney has been clear that Canada is not seeking full EU membership and that the possible new partnership requires a different framework.

He also expressed interest in getting involved in the next iteration of Horizon, Europe's research and innovation funding program in which Canada already participates. The current Horizon framework for 2021-2027 has over $140 billion in funding.

WATCH | Carney's full speech in Strasbourg:

FULL SPEECH | Carney calls for 'alliance for the future' in speech at European Parliament

Prime Minister Mark Carney delivered remarks about Canada-Europe ties a day after European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen opened the door to Canada becoming an 'associate' member of the EU.

Speaking to reporters alongside Carney, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said the EU is optimistic for new opportunities with allies like Canada.

If you ask our young people what they associate the European Union with, I would tell you Erasmus is the first thing they mention, Metsola said. Horizon is the second thing they mention in terms of opportunities that with Canada could only get bigger.

Just think of the opportunity young people in Europe, in Canada, to study in our two jurisdictions, to live and work in those jurisdictions, to learn from each other, build the bonds that will strengthen our ties, Carney said.

While there were no concrete details of what Canada's involvement in Erasmus+ would entail, the U.K.'s recent agreement to join the exchange program could serve as a possible roadmap, given they aren't an EU member either.

The U.K. signed a temporary deal to join Erasmus+ in April. The deal currently only lasts for one year where the U.K. is expected to contribute 570 million pounds (over $1 billion Cdn) to the program in 2027.

First established in 1987 as Erasmus, the flagship EU program allows people to study and train at institutions across Europe for up to a year.

The initial program focused on university exchanges, but has since expanded to include exchanges for work experience, apprenticeships and sport.

Over 16 million people have taken part in the program since its inception, according to the program's 2024 report (new window).

In 2014, the program expanded under a new name, Erasmus+, to include a number of separate initiatives and cover new areas like European competence and sport, receiving €14.7 billion (over $23 billion Cdn) in funding from the EU for 2014 to 2020.

The EU's budget is composed of member states' contributions, which are based on their respective gross national incomes.

The program's total funding doubled for the current period of 2021-2027 to an estimated €28.5 billion — roughly $45 billion Cdn — according to its 2024 report.

The report shows 60 per cent of its budget supports learning mobility. The remainder of the program's funding supports its other goals, namely co-operation projects and policy development activities.

Erasmus+ includes all 27 EU member states and also Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Serbia, Turkey, North Macedonia and the U.K.