Poilievre says Canada will never be the ’28th state’ of the European Union

BRANTFORD — Pierre Poilievre is doubling down on his objection to Canada becoming an associate member of the European Union.

During a rally in Brantford, Ont., on Sunday, the Opposition Conservative leader said Canada will “never be the 28th state” of the EU.

His comments come as Prime Minister Mark Carney pursues deeper ties with Europe amid a trade war with the United States.

During a visit to the European Parliament last week, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she wants Canada to become the first “associate member” of the EU.

Carney has said he welcomes von der Leyen’s ambitions for a Canadian partnership, but the nature of the new arrangement has yet to be determined, and the House of Commons will debate and vote on the partnership.

U.S. President Donald Trump said last week that if Canada becomes the first associate member of the European Union, it could be considered a “hostile act.”

Carney and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, who was in Ottawa, were asked about Trump’s comments during a news conference on Sunday.

“Deeper ties between NATO allies makes those NATO allies stronger, makes NATO stronger, and helps to achieve the common goals of all NATO members, very much the United States included,” Carney said.

“We very strongly believe that Canada is a better partner if our economy is stronger, if we’re more independent or more resilient, we have a deeper web of ties around the world. Those are all positive things.”

Poilievre told a crowd of Conservative supporters on Sunday that Canada already has a free trade agreement with Europe and close defence ties with the continent through NATO, but he doesn’t support European taxes, laws and what he called “reckless European-style immigration” being brought to domestic shores.

He said last week that decisions for Canada “must not be made in Washington, Beijing or Brussels, but by Canadians here at home.”

Carney has previously said he’s interested in expanding a number of ties, including opportunities for young people, and an integrated market for financial services.

Poilievre also reiterated his criticism of Carney and the reigning Liberals on affordability as Canadians struggle with high housing and grocery costs. He promised more gas tax breaks and cuts to foreign aid and federal spending on consultants.

He also announced the Conservatives will put forward Brantford Mayor Kevin Davis as their nominee in the newly-vacated riding of Brantford-Brant South.

Former Conservative MP Larry Brock, who attended Sunday’s rally, held the seat for five years before resigning to rejoin the Crown attorney’s office. Brock is the seventh Conservative to leave the party since the last election, four of whom crossed the aisle to join the Liberals.

Some members of the audience jeered as Davis was announced as the nominee.

The mayor has had a rocky run in Brantford.

Davis won the city’s top job by a slim margin in 2022.

Roughly 200 votes separated him from second-place candidate Dave Wrobel.

Davis also said he would resign as mayor in 2024, telling the Brantford Expositor at the time that ongoing harassment was a factor in his decision.

He ultimately decided to stay on until the end of his term to avoid a costly byelection.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 20, 2026.

— with files from Catherine Morrison and Anja Karadeglija

Kathryn Mannie, The Canadian Press