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Prime Minister Mark Carney pitched a new alliance between Canada and the European Union as a way to build a “more resilient world” in the face of rising nationalist forces.
“It means, at its base, sovereignty,” said the prime minister, marking the official opening of the Canada-EU summit in Montreal on Friday.
“Greater resilience [and the] ability to withstand shocks together.”
Carney has been hosting European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa over the past two days in Quebec as he looks to deepen ties with like-minded leaders while the world deals with an unpredictable and volatile White House.
“Canada is by far the most European of the non-European countries,” said Costa Friday morning.
Von de Leyen especially has been pushing to create an associate membership for Canada, although the status does not currently exist, which has created confusion and faces objections from some members in the 27-member bloc.
Carney has said the title doesn’t matter, but did say Thursday that Canada is forging ahead with becoming an associate member.
WATCH | Carney on new partnership with the EU:
Canada forging ‘alliance for the future’ with EU as an ‘associate member,’ Carney says
On the margins of the Canada-EU summit on Thursday, Prime Minister Mark Carney told a roundtable meeting that Canada and the European Union are in the process of forging a new ‘alliance for the future, with Canada as an associate member.’ Carney earlier told reporters the proposed partnership’s ‘name doesn’t matter.’
The two sides are expected to announce later Friday that they’re committed to collaborating on a number of priorities aimed at increasingly trade and security.
“Our co-operation from artificial intelligence to space, critical minerals, fire prevention, sustainability, supercomputing and beyond will create a more resilient partnership,” said Carney.
“And because it’s the European Union, a more resilient world.”
Carney points to EU’s strong belief in democracy
While the three leaders were in step around their common goals, shifting political winds on the continent could test that alliance, notably in France and Germany — both heavyweights within the bloc.
In France, presidential hopeful Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally is leading in polls ahead of the spring 2027 election. Le Pen, an advocate for strict immigration limits, has criticized the EU-Canada trade pact.
While in Germany, the far-right and isolationist Alternative for Germany (AfD) continues to gain ground in regional parliaments and national polls.
Asked Thursday if he has concerns about dealing with a potentially different political makeup, Carney praised the EU’s adherence to democratic values.
On the margins of the Canada-EU summit on Thursday, Carney told a roundtable meeting that Canada and the European Union are in the process of forging a new “alliance for the future, with Canada as an associate member.” Carney earlier told reporters the proposed partnership’s “name doesn’t matter.”
“One of Europe’s strengths is democracy, freedom and a core belief in the rule of law. There will always be different governments, governments of different stripes in Europe,” he told reporters.
“Over the course of decades, the European Union has continued to develop, and strengthen, throughout, and be enriched by the national democratic processes of those countries.”
Carney also downplayed the notion he was looking to secure commitments with the EU before the French election.
“We’re not tying it to any political cycle, but to the fundamentals of what they deliver … for Canadians,” he said.
WATCH | EU chief revisits ‘associate membership’ for Canada:
EU chief floats ‘association without accession’ for Canada
After Canada’s ‘associate membership’ of the EU was reportedly removed from a proposed joint statement on Wednesday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen mentioned the idea again on Thursday, suggesting a partnership ‘that comes closer to membership than anything we’ve done before.’
Asked earlier this week about the summit potentially attracting retaliation from Trump or right-wing leaders in Europe, a senior Canadian government official told reporters the gathering isn’t directed against anyone but reflected deep interests between Canada and the EU.
Canada’s Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre called the summit a “grand theatrical meeting to sign a bunch of meaningless declarations filled with big words.”
“No one’s mortgage or grocery bill will come down,” he posted on social media.”Get EU countries to let our beef into the continent and cancel their planned carbon tariff on Canada. Otherwise stop wasting your time and our money. Both are running out.”