Media: Could Canada join the EU? Experts explore opportunities and obstacles

Canada's potential membership in the European Union (EU) may seem far-fetched, but experts suggest it isn’t entirely out of the question.

While EU membership isn't on the agenda in Canada's upcoming elections, a recent poll reveals that 44% of Canadians support the idea of joining the bloc, with only 34% dismissing it, Caliber.Az reports per Politico.

In light of US President Donald Trump’s strained relationship with Canada, characterised by punitive tariffs and provocative social media comments, some Canadians are considering alternative alliances.

Brussels, meanwhile, has responded cautiously. European Commission spokesperson Paula Pinho acknowledged the poll results, but reminded that only European countries are eligible for EU membership under the bloc’s governing treaties.

However, some EU scholars believe that Canada, despite being geographically distant, could make a compelling case for EU membership. Canada shares many core values with the EU, such as strong economic ties, a commitment to democracy, and a mutual concern over the current US administration’s policies.

“Being European is more of a state of mind,” said Giselle Bosse, professor of EU external democracy support at Maastricht University. She added, “Legally and formally, a European state is not actually defined and looking into the past, we’ve had European states that in a way are not limited to the European continent.” She pointed to the fact that several EU countries have overseas territories in the Caribbean, Pacific, and Arctic, which stretches the conventional boundaries of Europe.

“Canada would certainly qualify,” agreed Frank Schimmelfennig, professor of European politics at ETH Zurich. He emphasised that Canada might be closer to European values, institutions, and policies than some of the current EU candidate countries, such as those in the Western Balkans, Ukraine, Moldova, and even Türkiye.

However, there are significant hurdles to overcome. According to Ian Bond, deputy director at the Center for European Reform, the economic and political costs of such a membership would be immense. “Canada would then have to put the customs border between itself and the U.S. and apply EU tariffs and regulations on imports from the U.S. … It would be incredibly economically destructive,” he said.

Bond further warned that the political process of admitting a new member to the EU would be complicated, requiring unanimity among current member states, and potentially referendums, as in the case of France. “How often have French farmers voted in favour of free trade with other parts of the world? … They are more likely to set things on fire in an effort to prevent it from happening,” he quipped.

Furthermore, EU membership for Canada could spark frustration among countries like Türkiye, which has been in the queue for membership for decades. “I don’t think this is feasible in the short term, because of the procedures and the state of the union and enlargement,” Bosse concluded.

Instead, experts suggest Canada should focus on enhancing its economic partnership with the EU, a sentiment echoed by Canadian officials. In March, newly appointed Prime Minister Mark Carney made his first foreign trip to France to discuss strengthening economic, defence, and commercial ties with French President Emmanuel Macron.

However, Carney’s comment that Canada is “the most European of non-European countries” could backfire in Brussels, should Canada ever formally submit a membership application.

By Aghakazim Guliyev