Prime Minister Mark Carney is scheduled to deliver a speech at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France next month, as confirmed by his office on Wednesday. During his visit, Carney will engage with members of the European Parliament to enhance Canada’s relationship with the European Union for the mutual benefit of both entities.
Before his speech, the prime minister will also attend the State of the European Union address, an annual event hosted by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, considered a significant political gathering in Europe. Carney’s efforts to strengthen ties with Europe come in the midst of Canada’s trade tensions with the United States, following the breakdown of Ottawa-Washington trade discussions over the weekend.
In the past year, Canada has inked multiple partnership agreements with the EU and became the inaugural non-European nation to join Security Action for Europe, which allocates €150 billion in defense spending loans. A spokesperson for the European Commission highlighted Carney’s visit as a testament to the strong Canada-EU relationship, emphasizing the shared commitment to elevate their partnership in challenging global circumstances.
The announcement of Carney’s upcoming parliamentary address drew criticism from Conservative deputy leader Melissa Lantsman, who questioned the prime minister’s decision to travel abroad for such engagements without recalling the Canadian Parliament. Lantsman expressed her concerns on social media, underscoring the importance of addressing domestic matters before engaging with foreign legislatures.