Mark Carney supports EU proposal for Canada as first associate member

Canadian former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney welcomed the European Union’s proposal for Canada to become its first “associate member” during a meeting with EU lawmakers in Strasbourg on Thursday. Carney said the two sides are each strong, and that they are stronger together. He urged the EU to move forward with the plan, which would give Canada a formal role in EU policy discussions.

The proposal follows the EU’s 2023 “associate membership” framework, created to deepen ties with non‑EU partners. Canada has a long history of trade and cooperation with the EU, and the new status would formalise that relationship. It comes after a series of talks that began in 2022, when Canada and the EU agreed to negotiate a Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement. The EU wants a more flexible way to engage with partners that are not full members, and Canada wants a stronger voice on issues such as climate policy and digital trade.

Carney said that an associate membership would give Canada a seat at the EU table, allowing it to influence decisions that affect global trade and security. It would also pave the way for a new trade deal that could lift tariffs on Canadian goods and open EU markets to Canadian services. The move is seen as a sign that Canada is committed to multilateralism, even as it balances its close relationship with the United States.

If the EU approves the proposal, Canada will need to consult domestic stakeholders, including industry groups and provincial governments. Negotiations would then begin, with the EU and Canada working to align standards and regulations. The outcome could reshape Canada’s trade landscape and its role in global governance, and it will be closely watched by businesses and policymakers on both sides of the Atlantic.