Canadians eye Europe as Carney floats EU living and work plan

Mark Carney has raised the prospect of Canadians being able to live, work and study more easily in the European Union as he pushes for a dramatic deepening of ties with the bloc.

The Canadian prime minister told the European Parliament that Ottawa should strengthen “people-to-people ties”, including allowing young people to live, work and study on either side of the Atlantic.

Miriam Levin-Gold is excited about potentially greater opportunities for young Canadians to be able to explore the EU

Carney’s EU vision sparks excitement

The proposal has already generated enthusiasm among Canadians, particularly younger people looking for opportunities abroad. Miriam Levin-Gold, speaking to the BBC in Toronto, welcomed the idea of being able to work in Europe and gain experience in different countries.

Carney also suggested Canada could join Erasmus+, the EU’s multi-billion-euro education and scholarship programme. But his vision remains a long way from reality, with “associate member” status not currently existing within the EU and any arrangement requiring approval from all 27 member states.

David Jardine and Alex Nash hope Carney's news means there will be fewer obstacles to spending time in Europe

Europe offers an escape from US tensions

The push comes as Canada’s relationship with the United States faces mounting strain under Donald Trump’s trade policies and annexation rhetoric. For some Canadians, the prospect of closer European ties represents a chance to broaden the country’s horizons.

David Jardine, from Toronto, said he had once viewed America as a cultural centre but had become more sceptical amid the tensions. Maggie Stainton, who runs a pub in Toronto, said Europe offered a sense of stability at a time when the US relationship felt increasingly volatile.

Trade pressure drives Ottawa towards Europe

Canada remains heavily dependent on the US, with up to 72 per cent of its exports going south of the border. Carney was elected promising to confront Trump while expanding Canada’s economic relationships elsewhere.

An Abacus Data survey conducted before the speech found 80 per cent of Canadians supported deeper strategic co-operation with the EU, while more than half said they felt closer to Europe than America.

Questions now hang over Carney’s plan

Yet opposition MPs are demanding details. Conservative MP Adam Chambers warned the proposal could become either a “concrete, meaningful proposal” or simply “words and vibes”.

Existing ties are already complicated: the Canada-EU Ceta trade agreement still awaits ratification by several EU nations. And while many Canadians welcome stronger European links, others insist Ottawa must preserve its relationship with its enormous southern neighbour.

Ahmed Khalil summed up the balancing act: Europe could bring more trade and culture, he said, but “both are equally valuable” to Canada.

Ahmed Khalil hopes ties with Europe brings in more money to Canada in light of tensions with the US

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx980qj57r89o