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The words "associate membership" were removed

October 28, 2026

CBC and CBC News report that the words "associate membership" were removed from a joint statement expected to be released at this week's Canada-EU summit, according to a draft seen by CBC News.

RTÉ reports that Canada and the European Union will craft "a new chapter" in their alliance at a Montreal summit that opens October 29, the EU chief said, as EU navigate uncertain relations with the United States. But his vision depends on a new relationship with a Europe that doesn’t see itself as a middle power at all, Politico reports. Politico reports that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has a different vision: a Brussels-centered bloc that extends the EU’s economic and geopolitical influence, starting with Canada.

CBC and CBC News report that the words "associate membership" were removed from a joint statement expected to be released at this week's Canada-EU summit, according to a draft seen by CBC News. The issue was triggered after the European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, surprised nearly everyone by announcing in last month’s state of the union address that the EU would consider “associate membership” for Canada, The Guardian reports. Amid Trump tariff threats, Carney backs EU-Canada associate membership, Al Jazeera reports.

RTÉ reports that Canada and the European Union will craft "a new chapter" in their alliance at a Montreal summit that opens October 29, the EU chief said, as EU navigate uncertain relations with the United States. But his vision depends on a new relationship with a Europe that doesn’t see itself as a middle power at all, Politico reports. Politico reports that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has a different vision: a Brussels-centered bloc that extends the EU’s economic and geopolitical influence, starting with Canada. Politico reports that the idea, according to senior European lawmaker Siegfried Mureșan, is to create an opportunity for the EU to become the “global center of gravity for liberal democracies.” Politico reports that Canada’s prime minister wants to help build a new world order that can counterbalance the power of the United States and China. The declaration had been hailed as a landmark in EU history, offering a non-EU country such close ties to the bloc, which has not allowed any state membership since Croatia joined in 2013, The Guardian reports. According to CTV News, the controversial label when describing the future of the Canada-European Union relationship is not currently in the draft statement set to be released at this week’s summit between Canada and the 27-member bloc, CTV News has confirmed. The summit is scheduled for October 29 to 30 in Canada’s French-speaking city of Montreal, and is expected to focus on closer cooperation on trade, technology, defence, energy, critical minerals, artificial intelligence, research and financial services, Al Jazeera reports. According to Al Jazeera, Bob Rae said, “President Trump does not control our policy. We have been having long and productive relations with the Europeans for hundreds of years, but Trump chose to treat Canada in a way that does not respect our sovereignty”. Associate membership had been mooted, and rejected, previously for countries such as Ukraine, The Guardian reports. According to The Globe and Mail, TD Economics said, “The largest long-term opportunities span defence, energy, critical minerals, digital markets, as well as financial and other professional services”.

Still developing

CBC and CBC News report that the summit comes as the Canadian government is looking to to boost trade, investment and strategic partnerships with the EU bloc as part of a plan to reduce economic reliance on the United States under the unpredictable and volatile leadership of US President Donald Trump. CBC and CBC News report that Carney will then host a dinner in honour of von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa. Canada's Denis Shapovalov advances to second round at Swiss Indoors, CTV News reports.

How settled the reporting is

Reported 2% · Contested 0% · Developing 98%

Sources

Toggle read the full reports of all 9 outlets counted on this event.