Canada–European Union relations

Canada's relationship with Europe is a result of the historical connections generated by colonialism and mass European immigration to Canada. In the Middle Ages, Canada was first colonized by Vikings on the shores of Baffin Island, along with those of Newfoundland and Labrador. However, centuries later in the Modern Age, it would be mainly colonized by France and, after 1763, it formally joined the British Empire after its conquest in the Seven Years' War. In addition, it also had colonial influence from Spain in British Columbia, plus southern Alberta and Saskatchewan.

The United Kingdom has extremely close relations with Canada, due to its British colonial past, and both being realms of the Commonwealth. However, the United Kingdom ceased to be a European Union member state on 31 January 2020. Historically, Canada's relations with the UK and the United States were usually given priority over relations with continental Europe. Nevertheless, Canada had existing ties with European countries through the Western alliance during the Second World War, the United Nations, and NATO before the creation of the European Economic Community.

The EU and Canada enjoy a very close and friendly strategic partnership. The Delegation of the EU to Canada, in close cooperation with the missions of EU countries, promotes European culture year-round through a number of well-established public diplomacy activities. These events have been effective in increasing the knowledge and understanding of the EU and its relations with Canada.^[4]

Government of Canada's websites on partnerships with Europe and the European Union say the cultural and political values of Canadians and Europeans have much in common^[5] and that both sides benefit politically and economically from their relationship.^[6]

In addition, the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), applied since 2017, is possibly the farthest-reaching FTA between the EU and a third country.^[7] The EU is Canada's second-largest trading partner.^{[citation needed]}

The history of Canada's relations with the EU is best documented in a series of economic agreements:

In 1976, the European Economic Community (EEC) and Canada signed a Framework Agreement on Economic Co-operation, the first formal agreement of its kind between the EEC and an industrialized third country. Also in 1976 the Delegation of the European Commission to Canada opened in Ottawa.

In 1990, European and Canadian leaders adopted a Declaration on Transatlantic Relations, extending the scope of their contacts and establishing regular meetings at Summit and Ministerial level.

In 1996, a new Political Declaration on EU-Canada Relations was made at the Ottawa Summit, adopting a joint Action Plan identifying additional specific areas for co-operation.

On 30 October 2016, the "Strategic Partnership Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and Canada, of the other part" was signed in Brussels.^[13][14] This agreement seeks to deepen political dialogue and cooperation between the EU and Canada and to strengthen relations in fields such as human rights, international peace and security, economic and sustainable development, justice, freedom and security. The agreement provisionally entered into force on 1 April 2017.^[15][16]

Article 49 of the Treaty on European Union (TEU) states that any European country that respects the principles of the EU may apply to join. While Canada is geographically located in North America, the EU has stated that the interpretation of this criterion is "subject to political assessment" based on additional factors such as culture or political terms,^[34] by the Commission and the European Council.

In 2005, Der Spiegel summarized German editorialists under the title of "It's time for Canada to join the EU", in the context of Canada rejecting the American "Son of Star Wars" missile defense system initiative,^[35] and how joining the EU may decrease Canadian dependence on the United States regarding trade and security.^[35] In a 2006 article, Timothy Garton Ash noted how Canada would strengthen both the Francophone and the Anglophone bloc to the EU,^[36] and also easily meet the Copenhagen criteria for EU membership.^[36] In 2008, rabble.ca published an article about this in the context of easing Canada's reliance on the United States.^[37]

In 2017, the Mowat Centre published an article exploring the possibilities of Canada joining the EU.^[38] In the 2020s, the trade war between the United States and China and as well as between the North American countries, plus the social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, have opened a debate about the possibility of Canada's membership in the EU.^[39][40]

On 23 January 2025, following the second inauguration of Donald Trump, former German foreign minister Sigmar Gabriel proposed admitting Canada into the EU, emphasizing Europe's need to look for new allies in light of Trump's second term in office.^[41] Shortly thereafter, a trade war between United States and Canada heightened public discussion about Canada joining the EU.^[42] Former Belgian prime minister Guy Verhofstadt expressed support for Canada's membership into the EU.^[43]

In a February 2025 poll conducted by Abacus Data, 44% of Canadians support the Canadian government looking into joining the EU given Trump's tariff and annexation threats, while 34% are opposed and 23% are unsure.^[44] When asked if there is general support for Canada becoming an EU member state, 46% of Canadians expressed support while 29% are opposed and 25% are unsure.^[44] In response to the poll, European Commission spokesperson Paula Pinho said she is "honoured with the results of such a poll".^[45][46] While not explicitly ruling out Canada's EU prospects, Pinho confirmed that Article 49 of the Treaty on the European Union states that only "European states" can apply for EU membership and stressed that there are "criteria foreseen in the treaties, indeed, which foresee what is necessary for an application, for an accession to take place."^[45]

In May 2025, German MEP Joachim Streit asked the Commission and the European Parliament for the possibility of Canada joining.^[47] In response, Kaja Kallas, Vice-President of the European Commission, stated that while Canada and the EU have extensive historical, cultural, political and economic links, Canada does not qualify as a 'European' state as defined by Article 49 in the Treaty on European Union, nor are there any plans to revise the Treaties or to assess the benefits and possible consequences of Canadian accession to the EU.^[48]

In a May 2025 online survey conducted by Research Co., a Canadian public opinion firm, 46% of Canadians support initiating a formal process for EU membership, while 38% oppose and 16% are unsure.^[49] When broken down by political party affiliation, a majority of Liberals (51% support, 34% oppose) and New Democrats (51% support, 37% oppose), as well as a slim plurality of Conservatives (45% support, 43% oppose), favour EU membership.^[49] At the 2025 The Hague NATO summit, Canadian prime minister Mark Carney stated he would not aim for Canada to join the EU, though he would support closer ties between the two.^[50]

In a February 2026 poll conducted by Abacus Data, 48% of Canadians support Canada becoming a member of the EU, while 28% are opposed and 24% are unsure.^[51] When asked about Canada's most important partner in the next 3 to 5 years, 52% of Canadians rank the EU as their top partner, and when asked about deepening strategic cooperation with the EU, 74% of Canadians support closer cooperation with the EU on foreign policy, defence, and economic priorities.^[51]

Approval by Canadian provinces (ATL, QC, ON, SK/MB, AB, BC) for EU membership from 2025(left) to 2026(right) (Research Co.)^[49][52]   >50%   46-50%   41-45%   <40%

In a February 2026 online survey conducted by Research Co., 48% of Canadians support Canada initiating a formal process to join the EU, while 34% oppose and 18% are unsure.^[52] Regarding trade, 77% of Canadians support enhancing trade with the EU, while 13% oppose.^[52] When broken down by political party affiliation, a majority of Liberals (56% support, 28% oppose) and New Democrats (56% support, 29% oppose) favour EU membership, while support among Conservatives (44% support, 45% oppose) is split.^[52]

In March 2026, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot and Finnish President Alexander Stubb both mulled the idea of Canada one day joining the EU.^[53] Former Alberta Deputy Premier Thomas Lukaszuk has also floated the idea of Canada joining the EU.^[54]

In 2013, there was tension over the EU ban on the import of seal products. This was thought to be a motivating factor in Canada's efforts to block the EU's efforts to join the Arctic Council.^[55]

Canada has also had bilateral territorial disputes with EU member states, like the 1990s Turbot War and the Canada–France Maritime Boundary Case, as well as the territorial claims in the Arctic.

Canadian passport holders are not required to obtain a visa for visits to the European Union's main Schengen area regarding stays of up to 90-days within any single 180-day span of time.^[56] European Union member states' passport holders may be allowed visits up to 180-days to Canada. Canadian passport holders will be required (starting in Q4 2026), to obtain an approved visa waiver through the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS); while EU passport holders need to similarly secure current Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to negotiate their rights of travel to Canada.^[57][58]

Under the Migrant Integration Policy Index, published in 2020 the Canadian market was ranked to have an average score of 80%, with ranges between 50% and 100% in several key factors in relation to ease for migrants. Canada's lowest ranked area of 'halfway favorability' being political participation at 50 percent, and the greatest area of favorability being Anti-Discrimination at 100 percent.^[59] The EU sponsored index ranked each of the EU states individually.