To get a better grasp of what we’re about to dive into, let’s sketch a few lines of geography. We all know how messy Europe’s borders can be—disputes over mountains, arguments over rivers, and all sorts of borderline chaos.
But if we look across the Atlantic Ocean, there’s a country called Canada. You might remember it was once led by a somewhat questionable leader named Justin Trudeau. Well, technically, he’s still pulling the strings—with a new face up front—but that’s a topic for another day.
Now, we all know Canada sits firmly on the North American continent. So here’s the big question: how on earth is it dreaming of joining the European Union? And no, dear readers, we’re not joking. The idea is actually on the table.
Shocking Poll calls for EU membership
In a recent poll, a surprising 44% of Canadians said they were in favor of joining the EU, while only 34% opposed it. That’s a sizeable chunk leaning towards Brussels.
Reacting to this, the European Commission’s chief spokesperson, Paula Pinho, offered polite enthusiasm, saying Brussels was “honoured with the results of such a poll.” But she also gave a reality check—reminding everyone that, according to the EU’s governing rules, only European countries are eligible for membership.
You’d think that’d be the end of the conversation. Canada is, after all, thousands of kilometres away, sitting comfortably in North America. But not so fast. EU experts speaking to POLITICO say the idea, while far-fetched, isn’t entirely impossible. Unlikely? Sure. But impossible? Not exactly.
“Canada would certainly qualify,” one expert remarked. And honestly, the argument for Canada seems to rest less on geography and more on good vibes.
Trump’s 51 State Dream: A Nightmare for Liberal party
Despite the ocean between them, Canada and the EU share a lot: strong economic links, common democratic values, and a mutual headache named Donald Trump. That last bit isn’t just a joke—Trump’s rocky relationship with traditional allies has pushed many countries, including Canada, to rethink their global alignments.
At a recent EU Commission briefing, Pinho elaborated: “It shows the attractiveness of the European Union, and it shows the appreciation of a very large share of Canadian citizens for the EU and its values.” However, she stopped short of entertaining any real talk about a Canadian application.
Pressed further, she pointed to Article 49 of the Treaty on the European Union, which states that only European states can apply. But as we all know, legal language can be flexible when politics are involved. Who’s to say Canada couldn’t find a backdoor—or better yet, have the rules adjusted?
Adding fuel to the fire, 68 percent of Canadians reportedly now view the EU positively—double the number who view the United States in a positive light. Sounds impressive, right? But here’s the catch: no one seems to know when or where this poll was conducted. Who ran it? Which outlet published it? Nothing. It’s as if the numbers floated in from nowhere. A rumour? Possibly.
A conveniently timed PR move? Wouldn’t be the first.
The Likely Outcome for Canada
Speaking of timing, things have taken a sharper turn. US President Donald Trump recently called for Canada to become the 51st state of America. On his Truth Social platform, he claimed the move would bring “much lower taxes, far better military protection for the people of Canada—and NO TARIFFS!”
Needless to say, Trudeau wasn’t a fan. And now that he’s out of office, whispers are growing louder. There’s a real chance that doors have quietly been knocked, and the EU might just be entertaining the idea of a political rescue amid rising tensions.
Far-fetched? Maybe. But in a world where Brexit happened and Trump got elected once again, stranger things have definitely come true and definitely Ottawa is scratching the back of powerless Brussels once again.