Archive · 17 Sep 2026
Canadians Back Closer Europe Ties Amid US Tensions
Canada is thinking about building a closer relationship with the European Union.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen suggested that Canada become the EU’s first associate member.
The details of that kind of membership have not yet been decided.
A survey found that 80% of Canadians support closer cooperation with Europe.
However, only 49% support Canada becoming a full EU member.
Many Canadians say they feel they have more in common with Europe than with the United States.
Prime Minister Mark Carney supports closer European ties partly because relations with the United States have become difficult.
Conservative politicians support existing trade and defense partnerships with Europe but do not want Canada to adopt EU laws, taxes, or immigration policies.
An Abacus Data survey found 80% of Canadians support closer integration with the European Union.
Support for full European Union membership is lower, at 49%.
More than half of respondents said Canada has more in common with the European Union than the United States.
Prime Minister Mark Carney is pursuing closer European ties to diversify Canada’s trade and strengthen alliances.
Conservatives support existing European free trade and NATO ties but oppose EU laws, taxes, and open-border policies for Canada.
- Who
- Prime Minister Mark Carney, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Canadian voters, and Canada’s Conservative Party are central to the discussion.
- What
- Canada is considering a deeper formal relationship with the European Union, including a proposed associate-member arrangement.
- When
- The proposal was made Wednesday; the survey was described as recent, and Carney has pursued closer European ties since becoming prime minister last year.
- Where
- The discussion concerns Canada’s relationship with the European Union and the United States.
- Why
- Carney wants to diversify Canada’s trading relationships and deepen alliances as tensions with the United States increase.
Supporters of Closer European Ties
Skeptics of Formal EU Alignment
Deeper cooperation
Supporters of Closer European Ties
Supporters argue Canada should strengthen cooperation with Europe in foreign policy, defense, and economic opportunities, especially as relations with the United States deteriorate.
Skeptics of Formal EU Alignment
Skeptics favor Canada’s existing trade and NATO relationships with Europe but question creating a closer formal relationship with the European Union.
Associate or full membership
Supporters of Closer European Ties
Supporters are open to exploring the proposed associate-member arrangement and, according to the survey, nearly half of Canadians support full EU membership.
Skeptics of Formal EU Alignment
Conservative critics reject Canada becoming an EU member, with Pierre Poilievre saying Canada will never be the “28th EU state.”
Policy independence
Supporters of Closer European Ties
Advocates see Europe as a comfortable and compatible partner and believe Canada cannot rely on going it alone.
Skeptics of Formal EU Alignment
Conservatives argue that EU taxes, laws, and open-border immigration policies should not be imposed on Canadians, citing concerns about Europe’s immigration management and regulatory burden.
- Support for closer EU integration
- 80% of surveyed Canadians support closer integration on foreign policy, defense, and economic opportunities.
- Support for full EU membership
- 49% of surveyed Canadians support Canada becoming a full European Union member.
- Shared identity
- More than half of respondents said Canada has more in common with EU countries than with the United States.
- Proposed arrangement
- Ursula von der Leyen proposed that Canada become the European Union’s first associate member.
- Proposal status
- The associate-membership arrangement has not yet been defined.
- Conservative position
- The Conservative Party supports existing free trade and NATO defense ties with Europe but rejects EU taxes, laws, and open-border immigration policies.
- Euro-area growth
- The euro-area economy grew 0.4% in the second quarter from the previous three months.