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Pierre Poilievre says Canada will never become the European Union’s ‘28th state’
Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre criticized the prospect of deeper Canada-EU ties, while Prime Minister Mark Carney says any new partnership remains to be defined and will go to a House vote.
Pierre Poilievre says Canada will “never be the 28th state of the European Union” as Prime Minister Mark Carney pursues closer ties with Europe during a trade war with the United States.
The Opposition leader made the remarks at a rally in Brantford, Ont., on Sunday, days after European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she wants Canada to become the European Union’s first “associate member.”
Poilievre said Canada already has a free-trade agreement with Europe and close defence ties with the continent through NATO. He said he does not support bringing European taxes, laws and what he called “reckless European-style immigration” to Canada.
Carney has said he welcomes von der Leyen’s ambitions for a Canadian partnership, though the nature of a new arrangement has yet to be determined. He said he is interested in expanding ties including opportunities for young people and an integrated market for financial services. The prime minister said the House of Commons will debate and vote on the partnership.