Ursula von der Leyen says EU should bring EU-Canada relationship to "highest level possible"

In September 2024, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen spoke to the European Parliament with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in attendance, saying the bloc should intensify its partnership with Canada and consider a new arrangement that would give the country a closer role in EU bodies. She connected the proposal to common democratic principles and a wish to broaden cooperation beyond trade into sectors such as manufacturing, technology, defence, the Arctic, energy, minerals, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and economic security. The comments preceded an EU‑Canada summit scheduled for Montreal and built on existing links that include a trade deal eliminating most tariffs and Canada’s involvement in a European defence‑financing programme. The concept of an associate‑type relationship is not currently defined in EU treaties and has previously been debated for other partners.