European Parliament to open Ottawa office as Carney seeks 'unique alliance' with EU

European Parliament to open Ottawa office as Carney seeks 'unique alliance' with EU

Carney set to address the elected body on Thursday

The European Parliament, a key institution of the European Union, is set to open an "antenna" office in Canada's national capital as Prime Minister Mark Carney looks to deepen ties with the 27-member bloc.

"Europe and Canada share values, interests and a commitment to the same rules-based international order. Our new presence in Ottawa will turn that partnership into even closer parliamentary co-operation," Roberta Metsola, president of the European Parliament, said in a news release on Monday.

Ottawa would be the 10th city where such an office is located, according to the news release, and the third in North America after New York and Washington.

The parliament is a representative body of elected members from the states that make up the EU. The EU already has an embassy in Ottawa, but it's run by the European Commission which is the executive branch of the bloc and separate from the parliament.

Carney says Canada planning to discuss 'unique alliance' with EU, but not membership

Carney said on Sunday that his government plans to begin discussions for a "unique alliance" with the European Union — but not membership — as he gears up to address the European Parliament this week.

"What we are looking — and will begin discussions for — [is] a unique alliance with the European Union. We share the same values, we have the same priorities and we have very complementary strengths," he said.

Carney's comments come after the Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday that the prime minister has been pushing to bolster Canada's relationship with the EU, and tasked his team to identify the most ambitious possibilities short of full membership.

The Journal further reported that Carney suggested Canada take on a new title of "associate member."

Carney says Canada seeking 'unique alliance' with EU, not membership

The report sparked a fierce pushback from Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, who said on social media Sunday evening that Carney "could not be more out of touch."

"We will NEVER be the 51st U.S. state," Poilievre wrote. "And we will NEVER be the 28th EU state."

A senior Canadian official, who offered information to CBC News on a not-for-attribution basis, said there have been ongoing conversations about how Canada can deepen its relationship with Europe with the goal of greater sovereignty for Canada.

The official said Canada is not trying to give up its independence for access, and the federal government is less concerned about the label and more about what deepened ties can achieve for the country.

The official said the "associate member" label is one of a few that have been considered and that Canada did not propose it. The official added that the government is still examining what the relationship could look like, and hopes to more clearly sketch it out at the EU-Canada summit at the end of October.

The EU does not have any associate members as it stands, and the bloc has not been flexible about membership rules in the past.

The bloc's own rules suggest that only European countries can apply for membership.

Carney is scheduled to address the European Parliament on Thursday.

Darren Major is a senior writer for CBC's parliamentary bureau in Ottawa. He previously worked as a digital reporter for CBC Ottawa and a producer for CBC's Power & Politics. He holds a master's degree in journalism and a bachelor's degree in public affairs and policy management, both from Carleton University. He also holds a master's degree in arts from Queen's University. He can be reached at darren.major@cbc.ca.