Canada’s Corrupt Liberal Government

Brussels was hit with a furious backlash today after announcing unprecedented plans for Canada to become an ‘associate member’ of the bloc – without asking EU capitals to sign off on the proposal.

EU diplomats told the Mail they were kept in the dark and first learnt of the proposal when Ursula von der Leyen, the EU Commission boss, unveiled it during a keynote speech.

During the top Eurocrat’s annual State of the Union speech to the European Parliament, she repeatedly love-bombed Canadian premier Mark Carney – who was in the chamber – saying Brussels wanted ‘to bring the relationship with Canada to the highest level possible.’

The European Union’s invitation Wednesday for Canada to become an “associate member” of the bloc shows just how intent these traditional United States allies are on pursuing a more stable future by binding closer together.

“We must urgently reimagine our partnerships,” Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, said in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, a beaming Prime Minister Mark Carney of Canada sitting just to her side. But there are no guarantees they will get there.

The standing ovations and applause inside the European Parliament gave the impression that a deal between the EU and Canada was as good as done.

But Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, chose her words carefully.

The EU is willing to work with Mark Carney, Canada’s prime minister, to “find ways” to “open the door” to associate membership, she said in Strasbourg.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has urged the 10 EU countries that have yet to ratify the bloc’s trade deal with Canada to do so, as he seeks closer ties with Europe after trade talks with Washington collapsed.

Carney made the plea to the 10 countries — Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Poland and Slovenia — in an interview with the Financial Times, arguing that closer ties with Europe were the best approach in an uncertain world. He said the trade deal was a “positive initiative” which is good for Europe and for Canada, adding that it would make both sides “more sovereign, more resilient, more independent” and more prosperous.

BRUSSELS — Locked in a trade war with President Donald Trump and pivoting pivoting away from the United States, Canada is seeking stronger ties in Europe and Asia as a shield against Washington’s volatility.

On Wednesday, sitting as a guest of honor inside the European Parliament, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney received an unprecedented offer: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she wants to make Canada the first “associate member” of the 27-nation bloc.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Europe wants to open the door for Canada to become an “associate member” of the European Union.

Prime Minister Mark Carney listened on in the front row as von der Leyen laid out key pillars for stronger co-operation between Europe and Canada in Strasbourg, France.

In her state of the union address, she said the two must “urgently reimagine” their partnership, and move beyond just a free-trade agreement.

Dear @MarkJCarney we want to bring the relationship with Canada to the highest level possible.

I would like to work with you on opening the door for Canada to being the first associate member of the EU.

And create a common prosperity and economic security space. pic.twitter.com/GqIjGBz6aY

— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) September 16, 2026