Prime Minister Mark Carney has repeatedly stated that Canada is not seeking full European Union membership and instead pursues a “unique alliance” or associate status to deepen cooperation on trade, defence, critical minerals, energy, AI, and the Arctic. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen floated the associate-member idea in September 2026, prompting a Canada-EU summit scheduled for October 29–30 in Montreal to define concrete terms. Recent polling shows majority Canadian support for closer formal ties short of full accession, while EU treaty rules and geography present structural barriers to actual membership. The summit outcome and any parliamentary debate in Ottawa will shape whether formal application talks advance.