EU proposes Canada as first ‘associate member’

EU proposes Canada as bloc’s first ‘associate member’

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has proposed opening the way for Canada to become the European Union’s first “associate member”, signalling a major expansion of cooperation between Ottawa and Brussels.

Speaking at her annual State of the Union address in Strasbourg on Wednesday, von der Leyen addressed Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who was present in the European Parliament, and said she wanted to work with him to make Canada the EU’s first associate member.

The proposed status does not currently exist under EU rules, and its legal framework, rights and obligations have yet to be defined. It would be different from full EU membership, which is limited to European states.

Von der Leyen proposed an expanded “Alliance for the Future” covering defence, technology, energy, critical minerals, batteries, artificial intelligence and Arctic cooperation.

The initiative would build on the existing EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA).

Canada and the EU have already been deepening ties. CETA has been provisionally applied since 2017, while the two sides are also discussing cooperation in areas including digital trade, research, defence and critical minerals.

Carney has previously called for a “unique alliance” with the EU rather than full EU membership.

The proposal comes amid heightened trade tensions between Canada and the United States, prompting Ottawa to seek stronger economic and strategic partnerships with Europe.

The next major step is expected at the Canada-EU summit in Montreal on October 29-30, where the two sides are due to discuss closer economic and security cooperation.