French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot suggested that Canada could join the European Union at the "Europe 2026" conference in Berlin. He positioned the EU as a "third superpower."

A 2025 survey found that 44% of Canadians support EU membership.

Finnish President Stubb also made a similar suggestion.

However, both Brussels and Ottawa rejected the idea. European Commission President von der Leyen called it impractical, while Canadian Prime Minister Carney said: "The short answer is no."