Canada Invited To Become EU's First Ever 'Associate Member'

“I would like to work with you on opening the door for Canada to become the first associate member of the European Union,” von der Leyen said.
By Ed Scarce — September 16, 2026

No one is quite sure what this means yet, as the details will be worked out next month, but it's just another indication that Canada is moving away from the United States and looking elsewhere for trade partners.

Source: CNBC

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday said the European Union is opening the door for Canada to become the first associate member of the 27-nation bloc.

The announcement marks a significant change in EU policy and signals a major deepening of ties between Brussels and Ottawa.

Speaking in her annual state of the European Union address in Strasbourg, France, the EU chief said the bloc wants to bring the relationship with Canada “to the highest level possible.”

“And, dear Mark, I said we must urgently reimagine our partnerships so I would like to work with you on opening the door for Canada to being the first associate member of the European Union,” von der Leyen said.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who was in attendance for the speech and is due to address EU lawmakers on Thursday, had previously said Ottawa was keen to pursue a “unique security and economic alliance” with Europe, but not full membership.

Ursula von der Leyen's statement.

And with Canada also joining Eurovision, the Eurocentric memes have begun.

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