Majority of Canadians open to joining EU, new poll suggests

New polling data suggests a majority of Canadians are open to the idea of Canada exploring a formal relationship with the European Union amid shifting geopolitical dynamics. A recent survey found that while one in four Canadians believe joining the EU would be a good idea, a further 58 per cent indicated it was a proposal worth considering.

Canadians Weigh Closer Ties with Europe

The survey of 4,000 people, conducted by Spark Advocacy’s polling arm in March, revealed growing interest in alternatives to reliance on the United States. The poll does not have a margin of error as it was conducted online.

Bruce Anderson, Spark’s chief strategy officer, stated the survey indicates Canadians are increasingly seeking solutions to reduce dependence on the U.S., particularly following the implementation of tariffs under a second administration of U.S. President Donald Trump.

“What we’ve seen is obviously a real shock to Canadians’ sense of the status quo and whether or not it could endure,” Anderson said. “And alongside that, a real openness on the part of Canadians to say, ’Well, let’s find solutions to this problem of reliance on the U.S. when the U.S. isn’t as reliable.’”

The possibility of Canada joining the EU has been discussed on both sides of the Atlantic. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot suggested “maybe Canada at some point” would apply for membership during a conference in Berlin in March.

The European Parliament recently adopted a report advocating for stronger ties with Canada, describing the country as “perhaps the most European country outside Europe.” Prime Minister Mark Carney echoed this sentiment during his first European trip in March 2025, signaling a commitment to diversifying Canada’s international relationships.

While some Canadian politicians, such as Thomas Lukaszuk, have supported exploring EU membership, others express concerns about adding another layer of bureaucracy. Prime Minister Carney previously dismissed the idea of full EU membership, favoring broader ties instead.

Support for considering EU membership extended across party lines, with supporters of the Conservative party being the most likely to view it negatively (33 per cent opposed). The Spark poll also found that nearly two-thirds of Canadians believe the United Kingdom made a mistake in leaving the EU in 2020.

Anderson noted that Canadians are paying closer attention to global events since the introduction of U.S. tariffs. He also highlighted the impact of Carney’s call for “middle powers” to collaborate at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

According to Anderson, Canadians are becoming more “pragmatic” about global affairs, recognizing the potential benefits of diversifying partnerships to mitigate risks associated with over-reliance on superpowers.

Anderson, who publicly supported Carney during the last Liberal leadership campaign, believes the current geopolitical climate highlights the need for Canada to strategically structure its economy for the future.