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Prime Minister Mark Carney attends the State of the European Union address by President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
By The Canadian Press

Europe wants Canada as its first ‘associate member’, von der Leyen tells Carney

Sep 15, 2026 | 10:53 PM

STRASBOURG, FRANCE — European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Europe wants to open the door for Canada to become an “associate member” of the European Union.

Prime Minister Mark Carney listened as von der Leyen laid out key pillars Wednesday for stronger co-operation between Europe and Canada in Strasbourg, France.

She said the two must “urgently reimagine” their partnership, and move beyond just a free-trade agreement.

“I would like to work with you on opening the door for Canada to be the first associate member of the EU,” von der Leyen said, drawing a standing ovation.

Carney then rose from his seat, approached von der Leyen and shook her hand.

“We share one ocean, one set of values, one way of seeing the world,” she added. “And we will now build our shared future as well — thank you for being here.”

Carney is in France this week to secure a stronger alliance with Europe, focusing primarily on trade, defence and people-to-people ties.

von der Leyen said in her state of the union address that Europe wants to bring the relationship with Canada to the “highest level possible.”

The prospect of an associate membership was raised last week when the Wall Street Journal reported, citing sources, that Canada was exploring potential membership.

Carney poured cold water on the report Sunday at the Toronto International Film Festival, saying Canada was not looking to become a member of the European Union but rather was seeking a “unique alliance” with the economic bloc.

He is set to deliver a speech at the European Parliament on Thursday, at the invitation of European Parliament President Roberta Metsola.

Carney was met with a red-carpet arrival earlier Wednesday at the European Parliament building, met by Metsola and von der Leyen.

He received applause as he entered the chamber and was greeted with a standing ovation after Metsola formally introduced him.

“Mark, your presence here is a symbol of the enduring friendship between our people,” von der Leyen said in her address, which lasted more than one hour. “Our cultural, historical and personal links run deep within the fabric of our societies.

“We see the world with the same eyes: from AI to climate change, from the Arctic to geopolitics. And we have stood together on Ukraine, on defence, on raw materials and on supply chains.”

von der Leyen said Europe and Canada would move from a free-trade agreement to “an alliance for the future,” while deepening co-operation on the Arctic, energy, critical minerals, and batteries.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 16, 2026.

Nick Murray, The Canadian Press

by The Canadian Press