Canada–European Union relations

Background

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, as well as southern Alberta and Saskatchewan.

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.

Early relations

Relations between Canada and the European integration project began shortly after the creation of the European Economic Community (EEC), the predecessor of the European Union. In 1958, Canada became the first non-member state to appoint an ambassador to the EEC.^[7] The following year, Canada and the Euratom signed the Agreement for Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy.^[8]

During the 1960s, Canada's trade and diplomatic relations remained primarily focused on the United States, while economic relations with the six-member European Community were comparatively limited.^[9]

The relationship became more important in the early 1970s when Canadian politicians wanted to diversify the country's economic ties following economic disruptions in the United States as well as their neighbor's introduction of import tariffs. The accession of the United Kingdom to the European Communities in 1973 further increased Canadian interest in strengthening its relations with Europe.^[9] In fact, more structured Canada–European Communities dialogue, including informal “semi-annual” or “high-level” meetings had already begun as early as 1972, though they were not consistently held twice per year. Many of the so-called “high-level” meetings were in practice conducted at the level of assistant deputy minister for Canada and deputy director-general of the European Commission.^[10] Efforts to negotiate preferential trade arrangements, however, were complicated by concerns among some European leaders regarding Canada's close economic integration with the United States.^[9]

Bilateral cooperation on the environment dates back to an exchange of letters in 1975, which identified areas of common interest and established a framework for periodic high-level consultations to review progress. High-level meetings under this framework have been held regularly since 1983.^[11] The European Commission established a diplomatic presence to Canada in 1976. In July of that year, the European Communities and Canada signed the Framework Agreement on Economic Co-operation, the first formal agreement of its kind between the European Communities and an industrialized third country.^[9] In this agreement both sides committed to expanding and diversifying their bilateral trade, and created the Joint Cooperation Committee that convenes at least annually as the primary common institutional body for overseeing implementation and further cooperation.^[12] In 1979 Canada became a cooperating state of the European Space Agency.^[13]

During the 1980s, cooperation remained steady but largely incremental, characterized by a “piecemeal approach” in which numerous small sectoral agreements were concluded alongside collaboration in multilateral institutions.^[10] In 1981, Canada and the EEC signed a Long-Term Fisheries Agreement to manage access to fish stocks and promote sustainable practices.^[14]

Expansion of cooperation

With the end of the Cold War, Canada and the European Communities expanded their cooperation beyond economic matters to include foreign policy and international security issues.^[9] In 1990, European and Canadian leaders adopted a Declaration on Transatlantic Relations, establishing regular meetings at Summit and Ministerial level.

In 1992, an international arbitral tribunal resolved a long-standing maritime boundary dispute between Canada and France regarding the exclusive economic zone surrounding Saint Pierre and Miquelon.^[15] In the mid-1990s, disputes between Canada and European Union member states, especially Spain and Portugal, over North Atlantic turbot fishing escalated into the so-called Turbot War. Allegations of overfishing and quota violations led Canada to take strong actions, including firing warning shots at, and seizing Spanish vessels in international waters using patrol vessels. The confrontation ended with an agreement that favored Canada’s conservation goals, but it had a temporary negative impact on diplomatic relations with Spain and the EU.^[10][16]

At the 1996 Ottawa Summit, both sides adopted a Joint Political Declaration and Action Plan that identified new areas for cooperation. From then onwards Canada increasingly prioritised the European Union in its foreign policy. This rapprochement included the 1996 Agreement on Scientific and Technical Cooperation, as well as agreements on customs cooperation and on sanitary measures for the protection of human and animal health in trade that were concluded in 1998. In 1999, both sides signed an agreement on the application of competition laws.^[10]

In 1999, leading business representatives established the Canada Europe Roundtable for Business (CERT), which became an important advocate of deeper economic integration and a comprehensive free trade agreement between Canada and the EU.^[17]

Since 2003, Canada has participated in 13 civilian and military missions of the EU's Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP).^[18] Further sectoral cooperation followed in 2004 with an agreement on trade in alcoholic beverages, alongside the broader EU–Canada Partnership Agenda. In 2005, both parties concluded an agreement establishing a framework for Canada’s participation in EU crisis management operations. The Agreement on civil aviation safety was signed in 2009.^[10]

Strategic partnership

In 2007, the Canadian government began advocating for negotiations of a Canada–European Union free trade agreement. Formal negotiations were launched in June 2009.^[19]

On 30 October 2016, the "Strategic Partnership Agreement between the EU and its Member States, of the one part, and Canada, of the other part" was signed in Brussels.^[20][21] 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.^[22][23] After intense negotiations, the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) that has been applied since 2017 and is possibly the farthest-reaching free trade agreement between the EU and a third country, was concluded.^[24][10]

Geopolitical developments of the 2020s led to further strengthening of bilateral ties. In 2021, Canada became a third-state participant in the EU's Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO).^[18] In light of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, in June 2022, Canada and Denmark peacefully resolved their long-running “Whisky War” by signing an agreement to split Hans Island, thus establishing the first land border between Canada and the European Union.^[25] Canada also strengthened its participation in European research initiatives by becoming an associated member of Horizon Europe in 2024.^[26] In June 2025, Canada and the EU signed a Security and Defence Partnership to expand cooperation in areas such as defence industrial cooperation and participation in European defence initiatives like SAFE, the EU's joint procurement initiative, that it joined in 2026.^[27][28]

In March 2026, the European Parliament adopted a report calling for deeper EU-Canada cooperation to tackle security threats and boost trade amid rising geopolitical threats.^[29]

Economy

Defence

Since 2003, Canada has participated in 13 civilian and military missions conducted under the European Union's Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), making it one of the EU's most frequent third-country contributors to CSDP operations.^[18]

In 2021, Canada became a third-state participant in the European Union's Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) framework. In November of that year, Canada concluded an administrative arrangement with the European Union to participate in the PESCO Military Mobility project alongside 25 EU member states. In February 2023, Canada's participation in the Network of Logistic Hubs in Europe and Support to Operations (NetLogHubs) project was approved.^[18]

In June 2025, Canada and the European Union signed a Security and Defence Partnership that will increase Canada's participation in SAFE, the EU's joint arms procurement initiative.^[27] The Security and Defense Partnership expands cooperation between Canada and the EU in areas such as support to Ukraine, security, and climate change.^[47] In December 2025, EU member states endorsed Canada's participation in SAFE, and in February 2026, the Council of the EU adopted a decision authorizing the EU to sign on to Canada's participation in SAFE, making Canada the first non-European country to participate in the SAFE Instrument.^[48][28]

Energy

In 2023, Canada and the European Union held a summit in Newfoundland and established a framework for joint renewable energy development known as the Canada–European Union Green Alliance with stated goals to develop shared means for science and technology standards and cooperation as well as climate and environmental protection concerning their net-zero ambitions.^[3][49]

Science and research

Canada is a cooperating state of the European Space Agency since 1979.^[13] In 2019, Canada was proposed to join the EU's Horizon Europe scientific research initiative, becoming an Associated Member in 2024.^[50][26] The joint statement of the 2025 Canada-European Summit includes a commitment to expanding academic mobility and student recognition through Erasmus+, the European Research Council, and Marie Sklodowska-Curie actions.^[51]

Legal considerations

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,^[52] by the Commission and the European Council. Example for these interpretations subject to political assessment of the Commission and the European Council is Turkey with its European part that accounts for only 3 percent of its entire territory.^[53]

Early proposals

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,^[54] and how joining the EU may decrease Canadian dependence on the United States regarding trade and security.^[54] In a 2006 article, Timothy Garton Ash noted how Canada would strengthen both the Francophone and the Anglophone bloc to the EU,^[55] and also easily meet the Copenhagen criteria for EU membership.^[55] In 2008, rabble.ca published an article about this in the context of easing Canada's reliance on the United States.^[56]

In 2017, the Mowat Centre published an article exploring the possibilities of Canada joining the EU.^[57] This idea was further echoed in a 2018 commentary, originally published in The European Financial Review and republished by INSEAD, which argued that rising U.S. protectionist trade policies could incentivise deeper EU–Canada integration, including hypothetical scenarios of Canada joining the EU.^[58]

In early January 2025, The Economist revisited this concept by writing that complementarities between Canada and the EU as well as shifting geopolitical pressures could make Canadian membership of the EU a plausible strategic thought experiment.^[59]

Political discussions

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.^[60][61]

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.^[62] Shortly thereafter, a trade war between United States and Canada heightened public discussion about Canada joining the EU.^[63] In early February 2025, former Belgian prime minister Guy Verhofstadt expressed support for Canada's membership into the EU, stating that "there is no reason why EU membership should be off the table".^[64][65]

In early March 2025, the European Movement International suggested to open a Canadian branch.^[66] One week later, reacting to positive poll results of Canadians wanting their country to join the EU, European Commission spokesperson Paula Pinho said she is "honoured with the results of such a poll".^[67][68] 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."^[67]

In May 2025, German MEP Joachim Streit asked the Commission and the European Parliament for the possibility of Canada joining.^[69] 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.^[70]

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.^[71]

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^[72], with Stubb calling it "a marriage made in heaven."^[73] In the same month, former Alberta Deputy Premier Thomas Lukaszuk has also floated the idea of Canada joining the EU.^[74]

In April 2026, European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos stated that Canada does not meet the "European state" requirement of Article 49 of the Treaty on European Union. Instead, she suggested that "special partnership agreements" with close allies could be considered.^[75] While attending the 8^th European Political Community summit in May 2026, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney described Canada as the "most European of non-European countries".^[76]

In late May 2026, Swedish prime minister Ulf Kristersson joked that there may be a place for Canada in the EU, calling Canada "the most Nordic country in the world outside the Nordics."^[77] In June 2026, Alexander Stubb proposed that the EU expand its membership to 40 countries and named Canada as a potential candidate to join.^[78]

Opinion polling

Canadian polling

More information Date(s), Question ...

Accession of Canada to the European Union

Date(s)	Question	Yes	No	Unsure	Sample	Pollster
1-3 Jun 2026	Should Canada consider initiating a formal process to join the European Union?	50%	35%	15%	1,001	Research Co.[79]
31 Mar - 4 Apr 2026	Would you support or oppose Canada becoming a full member of the European Union?	57%	31%	12%	1,099	Nanos Research[80]
11-13 Feb 2026	Should Canada consider initiating a formal process to join the European Union?	48%	34%	18%	1,001	Research Co.[81]
5-10 Feb 2026	Would you support or oppose Canada becoming a member state of the European Union?	48%	28%	24%	1,915	Abacus Data[82]
25-27 May 2025	Should Canada consider initiating a formal process to join the European Union?	46%	38%	16%	1,002	Research Co.[83]
19-23 Apr 2025	Would you support or oppose Canada becoming part of the European Union?	42%	33%	26%	988	YouGov[84]
20-25 Feb 2025	Would you support if Canada becomes a member state of the European Union?	46%	29%	25%	1,500	Abacus Data[85]
20-25 Feb 2025	Should the Canadian government look into joining the European Union as a member?	44%	34%	23%	1,500	Abacus Data[85]

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In an April 2025 survey conducted by YouGov, 42% of Canadians support Canada becoming part of the EU, while 33% oppose and 26% are unsure.^[84] By political party affiliation, a majority of Liberals (57% support, 26% oppose) and New Democrats (58% support, 20% oppose) favour EU membership, while a majority of Conservatives (28% support, 51% oppose) oppose EU membership.^[84] By province, a majority or plurality of residents in British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec, and Atlantic Canada support EU membership, while a plurality of residents in the Prairies oppose it.^[84]

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.^[83] 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.^[83]

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.^[81] Regarding trade, 77% of Canadians support enhancing trade with the EU, while 13% oppose.^[81] 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.^[81]

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.^[82] 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.^[82]

In a March 2026 survey conducted by Spark Advocacy, 25% of Canadians surveyed view Canada joining the EU as a good idea, while a further 58% indicated it was a proposal worth exploring further.^[86] A Nanos Research survey conducted for The Globe and Mail from March to April 2026 shows that 57% of Canadians support Canada becoming a full member of the EU, while 32% are opposed and 12% are unsure, with majorities or pluralities across provinces supporting EU membership.^[80] The poll also found that 84% of respondents believe strengthening economic ties is the best path forward for relations between Canada and the EU.^[80]

Approval by Canadian provinces (ATL, QC, ON, SK/MB, AB, BC) for EU membership from 2025 (left) to February 2026 (middle) and June 2026 (right) (Research Co.)^[83][81][79]   >50%   46-50%   41-45%   <40%

In a June 2026 online survey conducted by Research Co., 50% of Canadians support Canada initiating a formal process to join the EU, while 35% oppose and 15% are unsure.^[79] Across all age groups, a majority or plurality of Canadians favour EU membership.^[79] Regarding trade, 76% of Canadians support enhancing trade with the EU, while 12% oppose.^[79] By political party affiliation, a majority of Liberals (64% support, 25% oppose) and a plurality of New Democrats (49% support, 41% oppose) favour EU membership, while support among Conservatives (44% support, 44% oppose) is split.^[79]

European Union polling

In an April 2026 survey conducted by YouGov, a majority or plurality of adults in the five largest EU member states (France, Germany, Italy, Poland, and Spain) support Canada joining the EU.^[87]

More information Date(s), Member states ...

To what extent, if at all, would you support or oppose Canada joining the European Union?

Date(s)	Member states	Support	Oppose	Don't know	Sample	Pollster
9-17 Apr 2026	Germany	55%	22%	23%	1,142	YouGov[88]
	France	42%	29%	29%	1,022
	Italy	41%	24%	34%	1,067
	Spain	51%	20%	29%	1,117
	Poland	46%	21%	32%	1,007

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Impact

More information Countries, Population ...

Impact of Canada's Accession to the European Union

Countries	Population	Area (km2)	Population density	GDP (US$)[36]	GDP per capita (US$)[37]	Languages
Canada	41,472,081[31]	9,984,670[33]	4.2/km2	2,320 billion	55,760	English, French
EU27	450,646,971[30]	4,225,104[32]	106.7/km2	21,230 billion	47,090	24
EU27+1	492,119,052	14,209,774	34.6/km2	23,550 billion	47,854	24

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