Anna Hartz
Canada’s Path to the European Union: Is it Feasible?
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Canada and the European Union already have a close relationship.
They share democratic values, economic interests, and political goals.
They also share frustration with the United States at times, especially during Donald Trump’s presidency.
So it’s no surprise that some Canadians are wondering if they should strengthen their ties with Europe even more.
A recent poll showed that 44% of Canadians support the idea of joining the European Union, according to Digi24. Only 34% were against it.
This sparked conversations about what it really means to be a European country and whether Canada could ever qualify.
By the current rules, only “European states” can join the EU. But the treaties don’t clearly define what makes a country European.
Some EU experts say geography isn’t everything. They argue that Europe is also about shared values, institutions, and political systems.
In this sense, Canada checks many of the boxes.
Giselle Bosse, a professor at Maastricht University, said Canadians believe in social support systems.
Their laws and politics have European roots. Many Canadians even have European ancestry.
Frank Schimmelfennig, a professor in Switzerland, agrees. He said Canada is actually closer to EU values than some countries that are already on the waiting list, like Turkey or Georgia.
But it’s not that simple. Joining the EU would mean Canada has to treat the U.S. like any other non-EU country.
That means tariffs, trade rules, and customs borders. This would be a huge economic change. Many experts say it would hurt Canada more than help.
There’s also the political side. All EU member states must agree to accept a new country.
Some countries, like France, may even need to hold a public vote. That’s where it could get tricky.
Some Europeans, especially farmers, may not support a deal that opens trade to a large country like Canada.
For now, EU membership is not a real option for Canada.
But the two already have a strong partnership. That’s likely to keep growing, even without official membership.