Ottawa seeks tighter ties with EU without sacrificing sovereignty

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Canada wants to forge deeper trade, investment, security, data and labour ties with the European Union − but not at the expense of Canadian sovereignty.

That was the message from Ottawa ahead of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s visit to Strasbourg, France, according to a senior government official with knowledge of the Canada-EU file. Mr. Carney will address the European Parliament there Thursday and pitch Canada as a viable EU partner, as Ottawa attempts to reduce the country’s overwhelming dependence on the United States for everything from manufacturing supply chains to defence products.

Talks are still at the exploratory stages but, without sacrificing autonomy, the outcome could be linking Canada more closely with the EU than any other country, the official said.

The source said, without providing details, that the talks include labour and student mobility, plus strengthening academic and research collaboration.

The Globe and Mail is not identifying the source because they were not authorized to discuss the progress of the ongoing talks.

Carney to address EU Parliament in push to grow non-U.S. ties

On Sunday The Wall Street Journal reported that Mr. Carney had suggested to EU leaders that Canada take on the title “associate member of the European Union” and that the EU was open to the idea.

But the Canadian government source said it was the EU, not Mr. Carney, that floated the title, though determining what sort of official tie Canada would have to the EU is premature.

Mr. Carney addressed the matter while speaking to reporters at the Toronto International Film Festival late Sunday. “We’re not looking to become a member of the European Union,” he said.

“What we are looking — and will begin discussions for — is a unique alliance between Canada and the European Union. We share the same values, we have the same priorities and we have very complementary strengths.”

The source rejected the notion that Canada was seeking a “Norway” deal − that it would have formal links to the EU without official membership in the 27-country trading bloc.

Norway has rejected EU membership but joined the European Economic Area (EEA) in the 1990s. EEA status grants non-EU countries access to the EU’s single market while allowing them to pursue trade deals with other countries.

But even that came at the expense of some sovereignty – a “democratic deficit,” as it’s called. Norway had to incorporate thousands of EU laws and regulations into national law without having voting rights in the European Council, Commission or Parliament. Norway must also make payments to the EEA for cohesion grants, which are aimed at reducing economic and social gaps among EEA member states.

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“There are issues of Canadian sovereignty to be carefully considered, but the important thing is the fact that the linkage concept is being discussed in Ottawa and Brussels and other EU capitals and apparently getting serious traction,” said international trade lawyer Lawrence Herman of Toronto’s Herman & Associates. “All of this signifies a major transatlantic shift, reflecting the serious decline in faith in the U.S. as a reliable strategic partner.”

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Mr. Carney has focused on strengthening ties with Europe from the moment he became Prime Minister in March, 2025, though previous Canadian leaders have had similar goals. Under his predecessor, Justin Trudeau, Canada and the EU negotiated the Comprehensive Trade and Economic Agreement (CETA), which the EU Parliament approved in 2017.

CETA removed most tariffs between the two sides. But the trade deal has not been universally popular – 10 EU member states have yet to approve it.

Since then, the biggest move has been Canada’s agreement, signed in February, to join SAFE – the Security Action for Europe. The €150-billion defence initiative is designed to help EU countries rearm by building up their weapon industries. Canada receives equivalent, non-discriminatory access to the program.

Former Quebec premier Jean Charest, who played a key role in championing the CETA, said Canada will never be a member of the EU, but there are plenty of ways Canadians can grow closer to the bloc.

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He said more intense and profound co-operation at all levels appears to be where relations are headed under Mr. Carney.

And he added that increased mobility for skilled European professionals could be invaluable to building Canada’s economy.

“Whether it’s France or other European countries, they represent a great pool of talent from which we can recruit,” Mr. Charest said.

“The United States will always be our No. 1 trading partner − that will not change. But this is about diversifying.”

Canadian cabinet ministers have adjusted their messages to tout the advantages of moving closer to the EU as U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade war and annexation threats against Canada intensify.

Carney to meet with Macron in Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon next week to discuss energy, defence

Two weeks ago, Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand met with EU foreign ministers in Ireland, during which she touted SAFE, the implementation of the Canada-EU Defence and Security Partnership, negotiations to create a Canada-EU digital trade agreement and collaboration on critical metals.

In an interview with eudebates.tv, she said, “We are always looking for ways to strengthen this absolutely essential relationship. … It is time for us to ensure that we are negotiating with, dealing with, reliable partners who will remain at the table, who share similar values.”

As part of the courtship of Europe, Mr. Carney is to meet Friday with French President Emmanuel Macron on Saint Pierre and Miquelon, the French islands about 25 kilometres off the south coast of Newfoundland and Labrador. The two leaders plan to discuss deepening ties in aerospace, energy, critical metals, satellites, AI and supercomputing.

Mr. Herman said that moving closer to the EU “recognizes that the EU countries are mostly liberal democracies while the U.S. is no longer and has parted company with its Western allies.”

With a report from Steven Chase in Ottawa