EU chief wants Canada to become an ‘associate member.’ What does that mean?

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (L) greets Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney during her annual keynote address to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, eastern France, on Wednesday. | EUROPEAN UNION / via AFP-JIJI

Sep 17, 2026

BRUSSELS – European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Wednesday she wanted to open the door for Canada to become the European Union’s first “associate member.”

Earlier this week, Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney — who was in Strasbourg to listen to von der Leyen’s annual State of the Union address — said Canada was seeking a “unique alliance” with the EU but not membership.

What might the new relationship involve?

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