Canada Seeks EU Associate Status
5m
Mark Carney said Canada sought a "unique alliance" with the EU to become its first associate member, while EU governments gave mixed responses, ranging from openness to rebuffing it.
18 months ago, a few of us were suggesting that Canada should join the EU - bsky.app/profile/ubis... - and even though it turned out the idea was popular in Canada - bsky.app/profile/ubis... - there was still widespread ridicule of the idea from politics experts. Now it's (sort of) happening...
#Trump is not hiding what he is trying to do to #Canada, starting with 25% tariffs. Canadians have to stop thinking about the USA as a misguided friend right now. Work with #Mexico and other American countries for sure, but also with the #EU, maybe even apply to join. This isn't a joke any more.
Every truly Canadian news outlet needs to lead with a clear, no-bullshit headline:
“Trump Threatens to Ruin and then Annex Canada”.
Will the US-owned Postmedia papers do it? No. Can we hope the rest speak clearly?
“Trump Threatens to Ruin and then Annex Canada”.
Will the US-owned Postmedia papers do it? No. Can we hope the rest speak clearly?
September 16, 2026 at 6:07 PM
18 months ago, a few of us were suggesting that Canada should join the EU - bsky.app/profile/ubis... - and even though it turned out the idea was popular in Canada - bsky.app/profile/ubis... - there was still widespread ridicule of the idea from politics experts. Now it's (sort of) happening...
Reposted by James A. Benn
Canadians overwhelmingly support increasing ties to the European Union, with Canadians saying we should make it easier to trade, work, travel, study, and cooperate on security
September 16, 2026 at 5:26 PM
Canadians overwhelmingly support increasing ties to the European Union, with Canadians saying we should make it easier to trade, work, travel, study, and cooperate on security
by Anand Menon
Superb, salutary piece. Let’s not get over excited about ‘associate membership’.
"None of this means UK associate membership is now there for the taking. While the UK might resemble Canada legally, it does not do so politically."
✍️ @jreland.bsky.social reflects on the lessons that Canada’s prospective EU association holds for the UK
🔗 ukandeu.ac.uk/canadas-new-...
✍️ @jreland.bsky.social reflects on the lessons that Canada’s prospective EU association holds for the UK
🔗 ukandeu.ac.uk/canadas-new-...
Canada’s new EU association holds lessons for the UK - UK in a changing Europe
Joël Reland reflects on what it would mean in practice for Canada to become an associate member of the EU, as well as the lessons for the UK in thinking about its own future EU relationship.
ukandeu.ac.uk
September 16, 2026 at 5:24 PM
Superb, salutary piece. Let’s not get over excited about ‘associate membership’.
Canada = "associate Member of the EU“ ??? What the heck could this look like?
See our 2023 report on EU reform for details…:
See our 2023 report on EU reform for details…:
September 16, 2026 at 4:35 PM
Canada = "associate Member of the EU“ ??? What the heck could this look like?
See our 2023 report on EU reform for details…:
See our 2023 report on EU reform for details…:
It is the way of the EU to make the impossible possible. Recently (financial crisis) we saw the worst of that: banned (by the Treaty) cross-subsidisation reborn as ESM conditionality. It would be wonderful to see the best of that in Canadian association (side Treaty like ESM?).
September 16, 2026 at 4:24 PM
It is the way of the EU to make the impossible possible. Recently (financial crisis) we saw the worst of that: banned (by the Treaty) cross-subsidisation reborn as ESM conditionality. It would be wonderful to see the best of that in Canadian association (side Treaty like ESM?).
I don't think full membership is on the table, but I'm curious whether you are opining this as a Canadian or as a current/former EU member state citizen? (Or neither, although I'm not sure why others would have opinions on this?)
September 16, 2026 at 4:23 PM
I don't think full membership is on the table, but I'm curious whether you are opining this as a Canadian or as a current/former EU member state citizen? (Or neither, although I'm not sure why others would have opinions on this?)
by Steve Peers
Here's my bit from Al Jazeera just now, on the prospect of Canadian associate membership of the EU
September 16, 2026 at 4:01 PM
Here's my bit from Al Jazeera just now, on the prospect of Canadian associate membership of the EU
by Ian Bremmer
greater canada-eu partnership: aligned on security, economy, and governance.
(watch the united kingdom in this space...this is the post-brexit option pm burnham has been looking for)
(watch the united kingdom in this space...this is the post-brexit option pm burnham has been looking for)
September 16, 2026 at 3:45 PM
greater canada-eu partnership: aligned on security, economy, and governance.
(watch the united kingdom in this space...this is the post-brexit option pm burnham has been looking for)
(watch the united kingdom in this space...this is the post-brexit option pm burnham has been looking for)
by Matthew Lebo
The new Chunnel is going to be awesome.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen tells Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney that she wants to open the door for Canada to become the European Union’s first associate member.
September 16, 2026 at 3:43 PM
The new Chunnel is going to be awesome.
Reposted by Matthew Lebo
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen tells Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney that she wants to open the door for Canada to become the European Union’s first associate member.
September 16, 2026 at 3:40 PM
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen tells Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney that she wants to open the door for Canada to become the European Union’s first associate member.
Even if this produces nothing by 2029 (and there are a bunch of reasons why that might happen) it’s a great idea and I hope that it fleshes out an associate member status that can be useful for other countries
Dear @mark-carney.bsky.social, we want to bring the relationship with Canada to the highest level possible.
I would like to work with you on opening the door for Canada to being the first associate member of the EU.
And create a common prosperity and economic security space.
I would like to work with you on opening the door for Canada to being the first associate member of the EU.
And create a common prosperity and economic security space.
September 16, 2026 at 3:22 PM
Even if this produces nothing by 2029 (and there are a bunch of reasons why that might happen) it’s a great idea and I hope that it fleshes out an associate member status that can be useful for other countries
As Lauren notes, the CAP would be an eye-opener for Canadian ag. Add to that the Euro + the ECB stuff. And then there is the 'four freedoms'....hmmm.
I'm not an EU expert, but I follow European politics enough to understand what *full* 'membership' means. Nein, danke.
bsky.app/profile/ldob...
I'm not an EU expert, but I follow European politics enough to understand what *full* 'membership' means. Nein, danke.
bsky.app/profile/ldob...
Look, we can all speculate on how the Canada-EU discussions might go.
But one thing is certain - they should sell tickets so we can watch what happens when French farmers meet Quebec dairy farmers
The Common Agricultural Policy meets Supply Management, en francais
But one thing is certain - they should sell tickets so we can watch what happens when French farmers meet Quebec dairy farmers
The Common Agricultural Policy meets Supply Management, en francais
September 16, 2026 at 3:17 PM
As Lauren notes, the CAP would be an eye-opener for Canadian ag. Add to that the Euro + the ECB stuff. And then there is the 'four freedoms'....hmmm.
I'm not an EU expert, but I follow European politics enough to understand what *full* 'membership' means. Nein, danke.
bsky.app/profile/ldob...
I'm not an EU expert, but I follow European politics enough to understand what *full* 'membership' means. Nein, danke.
bsky.app/profile/ldob...
can't wait for Canadians to encounter the EU institutional structures - love at first sight!
September 16, 2026 at 3:05 PM
can't wait for Canadians to encounter the EU institutional structures - love at first sight!
by Nicolai von Ondarza Reposted by Ben Tonra
Mark Carney certainly sounds like the most pro-European head of government at the moment:
The EU has delivered greater stability across the continent, greater mobility for its citizens, and a single market that gives Europe global economic weight.
An honour to hear President von der Leyen address the European Parliament today as we build a deeper partnership for the future.
An honour to hear President von der Leyen address the European Parliament today as we build a deeper partnership for the future.
September 16, 2026 at 2:59 PM
Mark Carney certainly sounds like the most pro-European head of government at the moment:
Reposted by Steve Peers, Kevin Milligan
Look, we can all speculate on how the Canada-EU discussions might go.
But one thing is certain - they should sell tickets so we can watch what happens when French farmers meet Quebec dairy farmers
The Common Agricultural Policy meets Supply Management, en francais
But one thing is certain - they should sell tickets so we can watch what happens when French farmers meet Quebec dairy farmers
The Common Agricultural Policy meets Supply Management, en francais
September 16, 2026 at 2:40 PM
Look, we can all speculate on how the Canada-EU discussions might go.
But one thing is certain - they should sell tickets so we can watch what happens when French farmers meet Quebec dairy farmers
The Common Agricultural Policy meets Supply Management, en francais
But one thing is certain - they should sell tickets so we can watch what happens when French farmers meet Quebec dairy farmers
The Common Agricultural Policy meets Supply Management, en francais
Reposted by Anand Menon, Jonathan Portes
"None of this means UK associate membership is now there for the taking. While the UK might resemble Canada legally, it does not do so politically."
✍️ @jreland.bsky.social reflects on the lessons that Canada’s prospective EU association holds for the UK
🔗 ukandeu.ac.uk/canadas-new-...
✍️ @jreland.bsky.social reflects on the lessons that Canada’s prospective EU association holds for the UK
🔗 ukandeu.ac.uk/canadas-new-...
Canada’s new EU association holds lessons for the UK - UK in a changing Europe
Joël Reland reflects on what it would mean in practice for Canada to become an associate member of the EU, as well as the lessons for the UK in thinking about its own future EU relationship.
ukandeu.ac.uk
September 16, 2026 at 2:35 PM
"None of this means UK associate membership is now there for the taking. While the UK might resemble Canada legally, it does not do so politically."
✍️ @jreland.bsky.social reflects on the lessons that Canada’s prospective EU association holds for the UK
🔗 ukandeu.ac.uk/canadas-new-...
✍️ @jreland.bsky.social reflects on the lessons that Canada’s prospective EU association holds for the UK
🔗 ukandeu.ac.uk/canadas-new-...
Vast majority of Canadians in favour of closer ties with EU; nearly half in favour of becoming an EU member state.
It’s hard to imagine Carney not coming out of this w some affiliation agreement, which hopefully will benefit young Canadians with mobility, education, and career opportunities.
It’s hard to imagine Carney not coming out of this w some affiliation agreement, which hopefully will benefit young Canadians with mobility, education, and career opportunities.
September 16, 2026 at 2:03 PM
Vast majority of Canadians in favour of closer ties with EU; nearly half in favour of becoming an EU member state.
It’s hard to imagine Carney not coming out of this w some affiliation agreement, which hopefully will benefit young Canadians with mobility, education, and career opportunities.
It’s hard to imagine Carney not coming out of this w some affiliation agreement, which hopefully will benefit young Canadians with mobility, education, and career opportunities.
by Nicolai von Ondarza Reposted by Catherine E. De Vries, Steve Peers, Jill Rutter
For the proposed Associate Membership of Canada remember that there is an EU-Canada summit scheduled for end of October.
This gives Carney, vdL and EU member states about six weeks to define in broad terms how such a status could look like.
This gives Carney, vdL and EU member states about six weeks to define in broad terms how such a status could look like.
But the fact that "associate membership" doesn't have precedent can play to von der Leyen's and Carney's advantage. They can develop a tailor-made concept that responds to each other's needs, falls outside the EU treaties framework and secures backing from all 27 member states.
September 16, 2026 at 1:49 PM
For the proposed Associate Membership of Canada remember that there is an EU-Canada summit scheduled for end of October.
This gives Carney, vdL and EU member states about six weeks to define in broad terms how such a status could look like.
This gives Carney, vdL and EU member states about six weeks to define in broad terms how such a status could look like.
Reposted by Nicolai von Ondarza, Jill Rutter
But the fact that "associate membership" doesn't have precedent can play to von der Leyen's and Carney's advantage. They can develop a tailor-made concept that responds to each other's needs, falls outside the EU treaties framework and secures backing from all 27 member states.
September 16, 2026 at 1:46 PM
But the fact that "associate membership" doesn't have precedent can play to von der Leyen's and Carney's advantage. They can develop a tailor-made concept that responds to each other's needs, falls outside the EU treaties framework and secures backing from all 27 member states.
Reposted by Steve Peers
Canadians encountering EU politics for the first time:
"So the French and Germans oppose any move they perceive as von der Leyen empire building?"
"Yeah, but only after spending five days prior leaking anonymous, confusing details to any media outlet that will listen"
"So the French and Germans oppose any move they perceive as von der Leyen empire building?"
"Yeah, but only after spending five days prior leaking anonymous, confusing details to any media outlet that will listen"
Man Explaining Conspiracy Theory
ALT: Man Explaining Conspiracy Theory
static.klipy.com
September 16, 2026 at 1:40 PM
Canadians encountering EU politics for the first time:
"So the French and Germans oppose any move they perceive as von der Leyen empire building?"
"Yeah, but only after spending five days prior leaking anonymous, confusing details to any media outlet that will listen"
"So the French and Germans oppose any move they perceive as von der Leyen empire building?"
"Yeah, but only after spending five days prior leaking anonymous, confusing details to any media outlet that will listen"