Politics · Canada · 14 hrs ago
Canada negotiates expanded participation in Europe's Erasmus+ exchange program
Canada is negotiating to expand its participation in Erasmus+, Europe's student and skills exchange program.
The program helps students from the EU and selected countries pay travel and living costs for exchanges, and exempts them from some tuition and other fees.
Canadian universities already have some Erasmus+ partnerships, mostly for master's students and faculty, but expanded participation could include undergraduates, apprentices and youth exchanges.
Prime Minister Mark Carney has backed the move, saying it could make studying in Europe easier for Canadian students.
The plan could bring more study and training options for Canadians, but it raises questions because education is largely managed by Canada's provinces.
Joining could also be expensive: universities may need to pay substantial amounts and provide housing and staff for visiting students.
Canada and the EU still need to work out the details of how expanded participation would operate.
Canada is negotiating to expand its participation in Erasmus+, the European Union’s student and skills exchange program.
Prime Minister Mark Carney reaffirmed the interest at last month’s Canada-EU summit and in the 2026 budget.
Expanded participation could open more exchange funding and opportunities to Canadian undergraduates, young people, trainees and apprentices.
A University of Victoria expert said the plan could be complex and expensive, with questions about how the federal government would work with provinces.
Erasmus+ offers eligible participants funding for travel and living costs and waivers of tuition, registration and exam fees.
- Who
- The Government of Canada, led by Prime Minister Mark Carney, is negotiating with the European Union.
- What
- Canada is seeking to expand its participation in Erasmus+, the EU’s student and skills exchange program.
- When
- The negotiations are ongoing. Carney reaffirmed the government’s interest at last month’s Canada-EU summit and in the 2026 budget.
- Where
- Canada and the European Union.
- Why
- Expanded participation could give Canadians more opportunities to study, work and live in Europe, and deepen ties with the EU.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Carney reaffirmed Canada’s interest in expanding its Erasmus+ participation at the Canada-EU summit.
Carney reaffirmed the government’s interest in expanding Canada’s participation in Erasmus+.
The United Kingdom is set to rejoin Erasmus+ and pay over $1 billion for its first year.
- Program
- Erasmus+
- Canada-EU summit
- Montreal
- Potential student destination
- Barcelona
- Expert
- Oliver Schmidtke, University of Victoria
- United Kingdom’s first-year payment
- Over $1 billion
What people are saying
Through this program, a Canadian student can pursue their studies in Barcelona just as easily as they could at McGill.
a lot of ambition
pay substantial amounts to be eligible for the full array of services