More than two in three Canadians back EU associate membership: poll

A recent Leger poll, conducted between September 19 and 21, reveals that a significant majority of Canadians — 70% — support Canada becoming an associate member of the European Union, while 18% are uncertain and 13% oppose the idea. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen recently opened the door to negotiating terms for Canada to become the first associate member of the EU, and Prime Minister Mark Carney echoed this sentiment, stating that Canadians welcome the goal.

Support for the idea was strongest among seniors, with nearly 80% backing it, while respondents in Quebec and Ontario also expressed strong support, with over 70% in favor. However, Manitobans and people in Saskatchewan were less keen on the idea, with over a quarter opposing it and another quarter unsure or lacking knowledge about the concept.

A possible reason for this disparity could be the limited travel to Europe among residents of Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Prime Minister Carney suggested that Canada and Europe should focus on critical minerals, defense, artificial intelligence, and energy security, as well as allow youth to live, work, and study on either side of the Atlantic, and establish an integrated market for financial services.

When it comes to the specifics of such an agreement, support was greater than 60% for greater access to European markets for Canadian businesses, and greater than 50% for more collaboration on defense, living, working, and traveling between the two regions. However, only 25% of respondents said that aligning some of Canada's laws and regulations with those of the EU would make them more likely to support the deal, with 30% saying it would make them less likely to support it.