Von der Leyen Invites Canada as First EU Associate Member

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen invited Canada to become the EU's first associate member — a tie short of full membership — on Sept. 16, 2026, at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, with Prime Minister Mark Carney present. The EU has 27 members and no such category. An EU-Canada summit in late October 2026 will develop the idea.