Canada seeks unique alliance with EU, says PM Carney

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, ahead of a planned visit to Brussels this week, has said Canada has no intention of becoming a member state of the European Union, but instead wants to establish a distinctive, close partnership with the bloc. He stressed that Canada and the EU share common values and priorities, and that the two sides complement each other's strengths.

The Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday that Carney has tasked his team with exploring the closest possible cooperation with the EU, short of full membership. One idea under discussion is for Canada to become an "associate member" of the EU.

Opposition pushback

The proposal drew a sharp response from Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, who wrote on social media on Sunday evening that Carney had completely lost touch with reality. Poilievre stressed that Canada will never be the 51st US state, nor will it ever be the EU's 28th member state.

Officials weigh in

An anonymous senior Canadian official told broadcaster CBC that discussions are ongoing within government about how Canada can deepen its relationship with Europe in order to strengthen its own sovereignty. The official confirmed that associate membership is one of the options being discussed, but noted the idea did not originate from Canada. Greater clarity is expected at the EU-Canada summit planned for late October.

In recent days, several members of the Canadian government have said that closer ties with the EU could help reduce the country's economic dependence on the United States.