All smiles in Strasbourg but uncertainty clouds Canada’s EU membership plan

(From left, front) President of the European parliament, Roberta Metsola, Mark Carney and Ursula von der Leyen in Strasbourg. (From left, front) President of the European parliament, Roberta Metsola, Mark Carney and Ursula von der Leyen in Strasbourg. European Union Analysis All smiles in Strasbourg but uncertainty clouds Canada’s EU membership plan Jennifer Rankin in Brussels Although Mark Carney welcomed offer to become bloc’s first associate member, no one seems to know what that means

Mark Carney received a rapturous reception in the European parliament when he gave his speech on Thursday welcoming a proposal for Canada to become the EU’s first-ever associate member.

Politicians queued to shake his hand and take selfies. One MEP leader described the speech as a historic moment. “Europe has extended a hand, and Canada has taken it,” said the German Green MEP Terry Reintke, who borrowed a Canadian ice hockey shirt for the occasion.