Majority of Canadians Support Closer Ties With European Union, New Poll Finds

By: Ebenezer Adugyamfi for GhanaianNewsCanada
13 OCTOBER 2026

A growing majority of Canadians support closer formal relations with the European Union (EU), with a new national poll suggesting that four in five respondents want Canada to strengthen its partnership with the 27-member European bloc.

The survey, conducted by Nanos Research for The Globe and Mail, found that 83 per cent of Canadians supported either much closer or somewhat closer relations with the EU, including partnerships that extend beyond trade.

The findings come as Prime Minister Mark Carney seeks to diversify Canada’s economic relationships, strengthen international co-operation and reduce the country’s vulnerability to trade disputes with the United States.

The poll also found substantial support for a proposal that would allow Canada to become an associate member of the EU, an arrangement that could expand co-operation on trade and defence without requiring Canada to become a full member of the European bloc.

Nearly eight in 10 respondents supported or somewhat supported the idea, provided the arrangement increased co-operation in those areas.

The results suggest that many Canadians are open to a closer relationship with Europe, although questions remain about the precise form such a partnership should take and how much authority Canada would be willing to share.

Poll shows support for a closer European partnership

The Nanos Research survey involved 1,057 Canadians aged 18 and older and was conducted between September 27 and September 29, 2026.

The findings showed that 60 per cent of respondents wanted Canada to pursue much closer relations with the EU, while another 23 per cent favoured somewhat closer relations.

The survey had a margin of error of plus or minus three percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

The figures indicate that support for closer relations with Europe extends beyond conventional trade agreements to include broader areas of international co-operation.

These could include defence, security, technology, energy, critical minerals and other sectors in which Canada and European countries share economic or strategic interests.

The findings follow months of diplomatic engagement by the Carney government aimed at strengthening Canada’s relationships with European partners while navigating continuing trade tensions with Washington.

What would associate membership mean for Canada?

The concept of associate membership gained attention after European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen suggested in September that Canada could become the EU’s first associate member.

The proposal has attracted interest because it could provide a framework for deeper economic and strategic co-operation without requiring Canada to join the EU as a full member.

However, the precise terms of such an arrangement have not been established, and associate membership is not currently a formal legal category within the EU’s existing membership structure.

Any agreement would therefore require negotiations over its scope, governance and practical implementation.

The idea could allow Canada and European countries to develop closer links in areas such as trade, defence procurement, industrial policy and supply-chain security.

For Canada, a stronger European partnership could also create opportunities for businesses seeking access to additional markets and reduce the risks associated with relying heavily on a single trading partner.

Nevertheless, the benefits would depend on the final terms of any agreement, including whether it provided meaningful market access and how it affected Canada’s ability to make independent policy decisions.

Why Canadians may be looking more towards Europe

The poll comes against the backdrop of trade tensions between Canada and the United States, which have prompted Ottawa to seek alternative economic partnerships.

The United States remains Canada’s largest trading partner, making the relationship central to employment, investment and economic growth across the country.

However, tariff disputes and uncertainty surrounding future trade arrangements have increased pressure on the Canadian government to diversify its exports and international partnerships.

Carney has repeatedly emphasised the importance of expanding Canada’s economic relationships beyond its traditional dependence on the American market.

The EU, with its large consumer market and established industrial base, represents a potential partner in that effort.

Closer relations could create opportunities for Canadian exporters, manufacturers, energy producers and technology companies, while European businesses could gain improved access to Canadian markets and resources.

Political science professor Kurt Huebner of the University of British Columbia cautioned that public support for closer relations with Europe may partly reflect frustration with the United States rather than a settled desire for formal integration with the EU.

His assessment highlights an important distinction: Canadians may want alternatives to their dependence on the United States without necessarily wanting to adopt the political and legal obligations associated with EU membership.

Canadians cautious about giving up national decision-making powers

Although support for associate membership is substantial, experts have warned that Canadians may not fully appreciate the implications of deeper institutional integration.

Full EU membership can involve accepting common rules, shared institutions and obligations that influence national decision-making in certain policy areas.

Associate membership, depending on how it is designed, could involve a different set of commitments. Its precise implications for Canadian sovereignty would depend on the terms negotiated.

Pollster Nik Nanos suggested that Canadians appear more comfortable with closer co-operation as a means of diversifying the economy than with arrangements that would require them to surrender significant decision-making authority.

This distinction matters because support for stronger economic and defence ties does not automatically mean that Canadians favour full EU membership.

The poll therefore points to an important challenge for the Carney government: determining how far Canadians are prepared to go in building a closer relationship with Europe.

Trump’s warning over closer Canada-EU ties

The debate has also attracted attention in Washington.

In September, US President Donald Trump warned that a move by Canada towards associate membership of the EU could be viewed as a hostile act and could lead to additional tariffs.

The Nanos survey examined whether Trump’s comments affected respondents’ views.

About half said his remarks would have no impact on their opinions, while approximately one-third said the comments made them more likely or somewhat more likely to support EU membership.

The findings suggest that Trump’s warning did not persuade all respondents to oppose closer relations with Europe.

However, the survey does not establish that the comments alone caused Canadians to change their views. Public attitudes may also reflect broader concerns about trade uncertainty, economic security and Canada’s relationship with its southern neighbour.

The possibility of additional tariffs nevertheless highlights the diplomatic and economic challenges Ottawa could face if it pursues a more formal partnership with the EU.

Canadians want Parliament involved in any agreement

The poll also found that many Canadians want elected representatives to have a role in approving any major new arrangement with Europe.

Half of respondents said a vote in the House of Commons would be sufficient to proceed with such an agreement.

Another 21 per cent said the decision should require a public referendum, while seven per cent believed a federal election should be called.

Approximately 19 per cent said the government should be able to enter into an agreement without any of those steps, while four per cent were unsure.

The findings suggest that public support for closer international relations is accompanied by expectations of democratic scrutiny.

Carney has indicated that any new alliance with Europe would be debated and voted on in Parliament rather than simply signed by the prime minister without parliamentary consideration.

The question of approval could become increasingly important if negotiations produce an agreement involving substantial changes to Canada’s economic or defence relationships.

Europe also sees opportunities for closer co-operation

The interest in a closer relationship is not limited to Canada.

The EU has its own reasons for strengthening partnerships with countries that share its interests in trade, security, technology and industrial development.

University of Ottawa international affairs professor Roland Paris has argued that the significance of a potential partnership lies less in the label attached to it than in how it would operate in practice.

A successful arrangement could establish stronger links between Canadian and European institutions and businesses, extending beyond the exchange of goods and services.

Areas such as artificial intelligence, critical minerals, energy security and defence production could provide opportunities for both sides to co-operate.

However, turning broad political support into a workable agreement would require negotiations over specific commitments, responsibilities and benefits.

What happens next?

The Nanos Research findings provide the Carney government with evidence that Canadians are broadly receptive to closer relations with Europe.

Nevertheless, public support alone does not determine the form or timing of a potential agreement.

Canadian and European officials would need to establish what associate membership could involve, whether the proposed arrangement would offer sufficient economic and strategic benefits, and how it would affect Canada’s independent decision-making.

The government would also have to consider the possible response from the United States, given the close economic relationship between the two North American neighbours.

For now, the poll points to a growing willingness among Canadians to consider Europe as a more important partner in trade, defence and international affairs.

Whether that sentiment leads to a formal new arrangement will depend on the negotiations ahead and the terms ultimately presented to Canadians and their elected representatives.