EU chief says she wants Canada to become the bloc's 1st associate member

EU chief says she wants Canada to become the bloc's 1st associate member

Canada's incoming ambassador to Brussels downplayed the idea of being an 'associate member'

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Europe wants to open the door for Canada to become an "associate member" of the European Union.

Prime Minister Mark Carney listened on in the front row as von der Leyen laid out key pillars for stronger co-operation between Europe and Canada in Strasbourg, France.

In her state of the union address, she said the two must "urgently reimagine" their partnership, and move beyond just a free-trade agreement.

"I would like to work with you on opening the door for Canada to be the first associate member of the EU," von der Leyen said Wednesday, drawing a standing ovation.

Carney then nodded, rose from his seat, approached von der Leyen and embraced her. He briefly waved to the chamber before returning to his seat.

"We share one ocean, one set of values, one way of seeing the world," she added. "And we will now build our shared future as well — thank you for being here."

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Carney is in France this week to secure a stronger alliance with Europe, focusing primarily on trade, defence and people-to-people ties.

Von der Leyen said in her address that Europe wants to bring the relationship with Canada to the "highest level possible."

The prospect of an associate membership was raised last week when the Wall Street Journal, citing sources, reported that Canada was exploring potential membership.

Carney poured cold water on the report Sunday at the Toronto International Film Festival, saying Canada was not looking to become a member of the European Union but rather was seeking a "unique alliance" with the economic bloc.

He is set to deliver a speech at the European Parliament on Thursday, at the invitation of European Parliament President Roberta Metsola.

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Carney received a red-carpet arrival earlier Wednesday at the European Parliament building, and was greeted by Metsola and von der Leyen.

There was applause as he entered the chamber and he received a standing ovation after Metsola formally introduced him.

"Mark, your presence here is a symbol of the enduring friendship between our people," von der Leyen said in her address, which lasted more than one hour. "Our cultural, historical and personal links run deep within the fabric of our societies.

"We see the world with the same eyes: from AI to climate change, from the Arctic to geopolitics. And we have stood together on Ukraine, on defence, on raw materials and on supply chains."

Von der Leyen said Europe and Canada would move from a free-trade agreement to "an alliance for the future," while deepening co-operation on the Arctic, energy, critical minerals, and batteries.

EU rep downplays 'associate' description

In a statement, the Prime Minister's Office didn't offer any clarity on the pitch for Canada to become an associate member of the EU, but rather focused on von der Leyen's other remarks at forming a partnership.

"We welcome President von der Leyen's proposal that Canada and the European Union move beyond the [free trade agreement] to an alliance for the future," a spokesperson said.

"This is a unique, positive approach that we will define together."

Jonathan Wilkinson, Canada's incoming ambassador to the EU, downplayed von der Leyen's proposal, saying the two sides are "a ways away" from settling on a description for a potential relationship.

Canadian ambassador focused on 'results' after EU chief opens door to associate membership

"There are a bunch of different things people have used to describe what this could be. I think we've actually got to get to the point where we actually know what we're describing," Wilkinson told reporters following von der Leyen's address.

"It's nomenclature; I mean, at the end of the day, there's lots of different ways you could describe it."

Wilkinson reiterated that Canada is "not looking to be a member of the European Union."

The Wall Street Journal report sparked a fierce pushback from Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, who said on social media on Sunday evening that Carney "could not be more out of touch."

"We will NEVER be the 51st U.S. state," Poilievre wrote. "And we will NEVER be the 28th EU state."

Carney stayed in the chamber for more than an hour after von der Leyen's address, listening to speeches from other political party leaders.

Terry Reintke, the leader of the Greens-European Free Alliance group in the European Parliament — which has seven per cent of the seats — began her remarks by quipping that she hopes to see Carney in the chamber in the future.

"You're very welcomed in this house. And I hope you're already feeling comfortable among the member states sitting here, because we hope to see you there very often," Reintke said.

Thomas Byrne, Ireland's minister of state for European affairs, sat beside Carney throughout the morning.

He began his speech reflecting on their ancestry, as their respective grandfathers came from the same county in Ireland, each serving in the Irish police force.

"Your presence here today is a visible reflection of the deep bond shared by the European Union and Canada," Byrne said.

"Thank you, President von de Leyen. Your proposal significantly advances the relationships between the European Union and our great friend, Canada."

Nick Murray is a reporter with The Canadian Press.