The European Parliament plans to open an office in Ottawa, Canada, aiming to strengthen ties between Europe and Canada. This move follows Prime Minister Mark Carney’s push for a "unique alliance" with the EU, though not full membership, as he addresses the European Parliament this week. The Canadian government seeks closer cooperation with the EU without compromising sovereignty, countering criticism from opposition leader Pierre Poilievre who opposes any association that could resemble statehood.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-14,
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Story summary
The European Parliament, a key institution within the European Union, announced it will open an "antenna" office in Ottawa. This move comes as Prime Minister Mark Carney seeks to strengthen ties between Canada and the EU, describing their relationship as one that could lead to a "unique alliance." The new office is part of the European Parliament's network of 10 international locations, making it the third in North America after New York and Washington, D.C. Roberta Metsola, president of the European Parliament, stated that this presence will enhance parliamentary cooperation between the EU and Canada. While the EU already has an embassy in Ottawa run by the European Commission, the new office represents a more direct engagement with the legislative body. Carney plans to address the European Parliament on Thursday to discuss these enhanced ties further.
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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.
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Carney → open → bloc
"Europe and Canada share values, interests and a commitment to the same rules-based international order.
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Europe → share → order
Our new presence in Ottawa will turn that partnership into even closer parliamentary co-operation
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presence → turn → -
," Roberta Metsola, president of the European Parliament, said in a news release on Monday.
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Metsola → say → 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.
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office → locate → York
The parliament is a representative body of elected members from the states that make up the EU.
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that → elect → 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.
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which → have → parliament
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.
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he → say → Parliament
"What we are looking — and will begin discussions for — [is] a unique alliance with the European Union.
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we → look → Union
We share the same values, we have the same priorities and we have very complementary strengths," he said.
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he → share → strengths
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.
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minister → come → membership
The Journal further reported that Carney suggested Canada take on a new title of "associate member."
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Canada → report → member
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.
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Poilievre → spark → touch
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.
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Canada → offer → 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.
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ties → say → country
The official said the "associate member" label is one of a few that have been considered and that Canada did not propose it.
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Canada → say → 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.
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relationship → add → 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.
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bloc → have → past
The bloc's own rules suggest that only European countries can apply for membership.
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countries → suggest → membership
Carney is scheduled to address the European Parliament on Thursday.
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Carney → schedule → Thursday
