Experts suggest Canada lock in gains with EU amid ‘associate member’ confusion
OTTAWA — Experts in European Union policy say Canada should try solidifying gains with the EU in legal frameworks, particularly as talk of becoming an EU "associate member" continues to cause confusion.
Experts caution Canada to secure EU gains with concrete legal frameworks, amid ongoing confusion about the notion of becoming an EU "associate member." Academics at a House foreign-affairs committee heard conflicting views on the feasibility of such an agreement. University of Toronto professor Mark Manger maintained that many of the proposed arrangements resemble mere expressions of intent rather than substantive accords.
He pointed to Mexico's existing deals with the EU as a parallel. Meanwhile, Achim Hurrelmann, co-director of the Centre for European Studies at Carleton University, expressed frustration over the EU's lack of clarity on the definition and integration of such a status into EU law. Despite this, he acknowledged the buzz around the term might be beneficial for both sides.
However, neither Manger nor Hurrelmann seemed fully convinced that the existing proposals would necessitate associate membership to succeed. The experts suggested Canada explore restructuring the EU trade deal to increase economic benefits, while allowing European mobile networks to operate in Canada in exchange for lifting restrictions on Canadian food imports.
They also emphasized the importance of cross-party collaboration to achieve consensus among Canadian provinces and the EU's 28 member states.
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