Canadians warm to closer EU ties after Carney's Strasbourg speech

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney addressed the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Thursday, backing the idea of Canada becoming the European Union's first "associate member." He called for deeper cooperation on defence and energy, along with easier pathways for young people on both sides of the Atlantic to live, work and study abroad. Carney argued that Canada and Europe are "stronger together" amid what he called a "geopolitical rupture."

The status of "associate member" does not currently exist under EU rules, and creating it could take years, since all 27 member states would need to agree. Even so, the announcement generated enthusiasm across Canada, including on social media, where people mentioned hopes of cheaper university tuition in Europe for their children or easier management of property already owned in France.

Survey findings

Recent survey data found that roughly 80% of Canadians support deepening strategic cooperation with the EU, and more than half say they feel closer to Europe than to the US. According to the 2021 census, over half of Canada's population reported European ancestry.

The shift reflects growing frustration with Washington following President Donald Trump's trade war with Canada and remarks about potential annexation. Still, close to 72% of Canadian exports currently go to the US market.

Opposition Conservative lawmakers, including MP Adam Chambers, have pressed Carney for more detail on what the plan would actually involve, noting that the existing EU-Canada trade agreement, CETA, has still not been ratified by several EU countries. Some residents, such as Toronto's Ahmed Khalil, said that while stronger ties with Europe make sense, Canada should not abandon its relationship with the US, arguing both partnerships remain equally valuable.