Why Canadians are ready for closer ties with Europe

Why Canadians are ready for closer ties with Europe. Figure caption, Watch: 'A better opportunity' – Canadians on a closer alliance with EuropeByRobin Levinson-KingTorontoPublished17 September 2026Updated 9 hours agoMiriam Levin-Gold likes Prime Minister Mark Carney's idea of Canadians being able to live and work in the European Union under proposed closer ties with the trade bloc.

What happened

The president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen told the European Parliament on Wednesday she wanted to work on "opening the door" for Canada, which would involve closer ties on various key sectors. Canadians woke up to news of Carney's speech to the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Thursday morning, welcoming the EU's ambition for Canada to become its first "associate member" as he urged closer co-operation on defence and energy. A recent Abacus Data survey conducted before Carney's speech found that 80% of Canadians say the country should deepen strategic cooperation with the EU, and over half feel closer to Europe than America.

Image caption, Ahmed Khalil hopes ties with Europe brings in more money to Canada in light of tensions with the USAnd while deepening ties with Europe would be welcomed by many Canadians, there is still a sense that the country's relationship with the US – however strained – must not crumble. Both sides seem to be seeking closer ties, and in his speech today, Carney said he welcomed the EU's "ambition" for Canada to become an "associate member".

But he will call on the EU to design its "Made in Europe" programme in a way that deepens ties with the UK "rather than erecting new barriers", Treasury sources told the BBC. Treasury officials said Healey wanted to reduce the economic impact of Brexit and build closer ties with the EU, but not at any cost to the UK.

The wider picture

"To me, closer ties with the EU means British businesses – wherever they are based across the UK – get better access to both the supply chains and the customers they need to grow. Image caption, Miriam Levin-Gold is excited about potentially greater opportunities for young Canadians to be able to explore the EU But before Canadians start packing their bags – "associate member" status does not currently exist within the EU and could take years to implement, given that all 27 EU member states would have to approve such an arrangement.

Alex Nash, from Montreal, said closer ties would clear away the obstacles of work visas and permits. One person on a Facebook group, A Canadian Outlook, said they would love the opportunity for their grandchildren to study at European universities for better rates. Image caption, David Jardine and Alex Nash hope Carney's news means there will be fewer obstacles to spending time in EuropeMaggie Stainton, who manages local pub C'est What in Toronto's St Lawrence Market district, became emotional when she spoke about Canada's frayed ties with the US.

Up to 72% of Canadian exports are to the US, and the ongoing trade tensions have spurred Ottawa to seek closer ties with other nations. CloseCanadian Prime Minister Mark Carney addressed European Parliament on Thursday as discussions continue to swirl about Canada's relationship with the European Union. The BBC's Europe editor Katya Alder looks at the EU's future relationship with Canada and what it really means.

What has been reported

European UnionFollow European Unionclose panelYou are now following European UnionUpdates from your News topics will appear in My News and in a collection on the News homepage. Image source, PA MediaImage caption, John Healey is meeting EU finance ministers on FridayByHarry FarleyPolitical correspondentPublished17 September 2026Updated 3 hours agoThe chancellor is to warn the European Union (EU) not to lock the UK out of its scheme to protect industries from unfair Chinese competition. John Healey will push for closer UK-EU partnerships on tech, defence, and manufacturing at a meeting of EU finance ministers in Dublin on Friday.

Officials said Healey will tell European finance ministers it is important to "learn lessons" after talks collapsed last year for Britain to join an EU defence loans scheme. The "Made in Europe" policy, officially called the Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA), is currently being considered by the bloc and aims to protect EU manufacturing with restrictions on goods from outside countries. There is concern in government the scheme could lock British firms out of European supply chains.

Sir Crawford said that caused "everyone to hit the panic button," adding: "If we weren't able to complete on equal terms, it would put the viability of some of our production facilities at risk. "Earlier this year, the Nissan car company said: "EU and UK manufacturing are deeply intertwined, and restricting eligibility for public support to EU only assembly would damage competitiveness, disrupt integrated supply chains, and undermine Europe's EV transition.

What happens next

The Labour peer and former deputy leader will operate alongside Palantir’s UK and Europe chief executive, Louis Mosley, as the company attempts to fend off pressure on Burnham’s government to axe its £330m NHS contract. Palantir also wants to win more public sector work in the UK, where it already has an annual turnover of £427m. "We should deepen our people-to-people ties, allowing our youth to live, work and study where they want on either side of the Atlantic," the PM said.

Carney told MEPs that Canada and Europe were "stronger together" in the face of "geopolitical rupture". Another woman said it would make it much easier for the home she already owns in France. "Snow birds are going to love it," another person said, referring to Canadians who head to warmer locations for winter. "I would say I think not only does it make more sense to associate closely with Europe, it's a place that I would rather be associating with given the way things are these days," he said.

The report has been compiled by The Daily Waves using information reported across bbc.co.uk, theguardian.com. Details are presented according to the information available at the time of publication and may change as authorities, organisers or other relevant parties provide updates.