Why EU Membership for Canada Is a Step Too Far
- Latest News
- Apr 4
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 5
Andrea Wagner, MacEwan University
April 3, 2025
While Prime Minister Mark Carney referred to Canada as “the most European of the non-European countries,” the reality remains that Canada is not part of Europe. A hypothetical EU membership for Canada would be perceived as a slap in the face to many European nations—most notably Ukraine—that have been patiently and diligently waiting for accession. Granting membership to a non-European country like Canada ahead of them would undermine the legitimacy and fairness of the EU enlargement process. Moreover, Article 49 of the Treaty on European Union (TEU) makes clear that only European states that uphold the values outlined in Article 2—namely, human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law, and respect for human rights—are eligible to apply for EU membership. If Canada were to be admitted as a member, it would set a precedent that could open the door for other non-European countries, such as Japan, Argentina, Australia etc., to seek membership as well—thereby undermining the EU’s foundational geographic identity.
Another challenge lies in public attitudes toward EU membership—in this case, the appetite for enlargement among Canadian citizens. A recent survey conducted by Abacus Data found that 44% of Canadians would support a hypothetical EU accession, while 34% opposed the idea. Although recent tensions with the United States may have contributed to a more favorable view of Brussels—68% of respondents reported a positive perception of the European Union—it is important to note that Canadians are largely unaware of the complex realities of accession, including the acquis communautaire. Furthermore, with anti-immigrant sentiments on the rise in Canada, the principle of free movement of labour—central to EU membership—could provoke more backlash than support among the average Canadian and see the 34% who oppose membership rise significantly. The upcoming Canadian federal election could also create fertile ground for populist narratives framing EU enlargement as a threat to Canadian sovereignty. Such rhetoric may fuel Eurosceptic discourse and risk of undermining public support with existing agreements with the EU. In our recent research project on the Varieties of Populist Attitudes, one of the most consistent findings across Canada is that Euroscepticism serves as a significant predictor of support for populist leadership. This highlights the potential political risks of elevating EU-Canada integration debates in the public sphere a few weeks before the April 28 election.
The best strategy for Canada is to fully leverage the existing agreements with the European Union in order to reduce its overreliance on the United States as its primary trading partner. Canada has to fully embrace the potential of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), which eliminates nearly all tariffs and offers significant opportunities for Canadian exporters. Moreover, CETA could gain greater traction if more Canadians were aware of its existence and the possibilities it provides for the Canadian economy. Another avenue for strengthening Canada- EU relations would be to build on the Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA) and further deepen bilateral cooperation especially in the area of peace and security. All these avenues do not require formal EU membership but can bolster Canada’s relationship with the EU. Canada’s relationship with the EU requires a cautious and measured approach. Few Canadians possess a deep understanding of how the EU functions, making them particularly vulnerable to Eurosceptic narratives—especially among Conservative Party supporters, who tend to view the EU far less favorably. If Canada were to pursue the Swiss Scenario, advocating for full EU membership is problematic. Rather than aiming for a radical overhaul, Canada should focus on deepening cooperation within existing frameworks and gradually building public support for viewing the European Union as its new close neighbor.
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