Canada and the European Union will begin formal negotiations on a closer partnership at this week’s Canada-EU summit in Montreal, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced on Tuesday.
Carney will meet European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and other EU officials on Thursday and Friday to discuss expanding cooperation over the next year.
“This is the launch of further formal discussions, negotiations, over the course of the next year,” Carney said.
The proposed partnership could create new opportunities for Canadians to study, work and travel in Europe, while strengthening cooperation on trade, technology, defence and critical minerals.
Canada is also considering joining Erasmus+, the EU’s student exchange programme.
However, Canadian ambassador to the EU Jonathan Wilkinson clarified that the discussions would not involve unrestricted movement of workers.
“We’re not talking about free movement of labour between Europe and Canada,” Wilkinson said.
Instead, both sides are exploring easier access to workers in specialised sectors where labour shortages exist.
Conservative immigration critic Michelle Rempel Garner has called for greater transparency about the potential impact on Canadian jobs, housing and healthcare.
The summit also comes amid tensions between Ottawa and Quebec’s government over its participation.
The meeting marks 10 years since Canada and the EU signed the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), which nine EU member states have yet to ratify.
