RELATIONS WITH THE EU
The European Union and Canada
Canada and the EU share the same goals, values and a common world view. As one of EU's global strategic partners, Canada works closely with the EU towards further deepening effective, mutually-beneficial political and economic cooperation.
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CopyrightEuropean Union
Leaders at the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Canada
Political Relations
The EU and Canada enjoy a vibrant strategic partnership built on effective multilateralism, a progressive international policy agenda and inclusive trade. New political opportunities under the Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA) and new trade opportunities under the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) have brought Canada and the EU closer than ever, a close friendship and a reliable partnership further enhanced by the current geopolitical environment.
Strengthening strategic cooperation
The framework for the EU-Canada relationship is set out in the Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA), an update of the 1976 Framework Agreement for Commercial and Economic Cooperation. SPA reflects recent global developments and provides a platform for advancing Canada-EU foreign policy goals, as well as joint international action. It reinforces cooperation in strategic areas such as:
- International peace and security
- Human rights
- Environmental protection
- Research
- Innovation
- Energy security
- Education
Working together on issues of shared interest and responsibility, the EU and Canada hold regular consultations, including summits between the Canadian prime minister and the presidents of the European Council and the European Commission, ministerial consultations and dialogues of the political directors. What’s more, there are ongoing specific consultations on regional and global issues ranging from energy, environment, climate change and the digital transition to non-proliferation, defence and security matters.
Canada also participates in the EU’s civilian missions and military operations under the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). In addition, Canada and the EU regularly join forces on electoral observation missions.
Economic and Trade relations
A strong supporter of free trade, Canada has always been a natural ally for the EU. Canada is the EU's 12th largest goods trading partner and accounted for almost 1.4% of the EU's total external trade in goods in 2024. In turn, the EU is Canada's second-largest trading partner after the United States and ahead of China, accounting for 8% of its trade in goods with the world in 2023.
For more information on EU-Canada trade, for more details.
CETA
The EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) guarantees the future of supply chains and economic resilience. The EU and Canada will continue to build on momentum and maintain open economies, while highlighting the importance of supply chains: advancing the implementation of CETA is essential on both sides of the Atlantic.
CETA is not just one of the most ambitious trade agreements the EU has ever concluded, but also the most progressive. CETA goes beyond just removing customs duties and contains ambitious chapters on sustainable development, labour and the environment. It offers significant benefits for the economies, businesses and consumers in both Canada and the EU.
CETA has been applied provisionally since 21 September 2017. A provisional application allows for a meaningful application of the substance of the agreement right from the start. Some areas, such as the provisions related to investment protection and the investor-state dispute settlement mechanism (Chapter VIII), have yet to be approved by all the national parliaments of the EU Member States before full entry into force.
According to a recent study, CETA has boosted trade exports and diversified supply chains across all EU Member States. Direct benefits resulting from CETA since the start of its provisional application in 2017 include a 71% increase in bilateral trade in goods and services between the EU and Canada (from €72.2 billion in 2016 to €123 billion in 2023); a 64% increase in EU goods exports and a 81% increase in EU services exports to Canada; and an increase in the EU's gross domestic product (GDP), which has become €3.2 billion higher each year (€1.3 billion each year for Canada's GDP).
These positive trends highlight the importance of CETA as a bedrock of our relationship with Canada.
Links:
A number of practical resources have been developed for companies seeking to better understand the concrete advantages of CETA. For an updated list please click here
If you have any questions regarding trade promotion, please contact trade representatives of EU Member States directly.
Access2Markets is your one-stop shop for information on requirements for exporting to the EU.
Watch success story testimonials:
https://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/canada/85524/spotlight-ceta-success-stories-toronto_en
https://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/canada/85521/spotlight-ceta-success-stories-vancouver_en
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CETA guarantees the future of supply chains and the economic recovery from the pandemic.
Copyright: European Commission Audiovisual Service.
Environment and Climate
The EU and Canada share the objective of net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050. To this end, the EU and Canada are calling on countries to increase their targets of GHG emission reductions. The EU and Canada are already working in sync to achieve these shared objectives through the regular bilateral High-Level Dialogues on Climate, Energy, Environment, and Oceans. In multilateral fora, EU and Canada are also working in tandem – for instance through joint multilateral initiatives, such as the Ministerial on Climate Action (MoCA), the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, and the International Conference on Chemicals Management.
The development of clean technologies, sustainable energy sources, including hydrogen or wind and wave power, and the reduction of pollution via carbon capture or recycling are at the core of our joint efforts.
Ensuring the security of supply chains for the minerals and metals critical to the transition to a climate-neutral and digital economy is a priority. This is why Canada and the EU established a Strategic Partnership on Raw Materials (Strategic Partnership) within the mandate of the CETA, with a focus on the integration, resilience and competitiveness of Canada-EU raw material value chains; science, technology and innovation collaboration; and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria and standards.
Promoting Human Rights and Democracy
The European Union and Canada share values of freedom, democracy, diversity, inclusion and human rights. Together, we are committed to upholding democratic principles and human rights, to advancing democracy, including free and fair elections, and the importance of the rule of law for effective governance. The Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA) offers a solid framework for this cooperation with well-established and regular high-level dialogues on human rights and on security and defence, as well as cooperation at the UN level and within other multilateral fora.
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The EU and Canada work in tandem to mitigate the impact of climate change and raise awareness about challenges in the Arctic. Our partnership with the Students on Ice Foundation illustrates this teamwork.
Copyright: Students on Ice 2018 Expedition
Arctic Relations
EU countries Finland, Sweden and Denmark (via Greenland) all have Arctic territories and are members of the Arctic Council, alongside Canada. The EU itself enjoys the rights of an active observer at the Arctic Council. This enables the EU to better understand and address concerns of Arctic partners while developing the EU Arctic Policy in close cooperation between the European Commission, the European Parliament and EU Member States.
As a leading forum for Arctic cooperation, an important element of the Council is the inclusion of the Arctic Indigenous peoples with special ‘Permanent Participants’ status.
The EU and Canada are already cooperating on Arctic issues, such as marine science research under the Horizon Europe programme.
Another area for cooperation concerns the conservation of fish stocks. Canada and the EU agree in principle on the need for a science-based, precautionary approach, in line with national and international law, notably the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Public Diplomacy
The Delegation of the European Union to Canada, in close cooperation with the diplomatic missions and cultural institutes of EU Member States, promotes pan-European culture year-round through a number of well-established public diplomacy activities, and special events, such as film festivals across Canada, an annual Christmas Concert, cultural fairs, art exhibits, student competitions, journalism workshops, study tours, climate diplomacy initiatives, Pride Weeks in various Canadian cities, among other activities. These events have successfully contributed to enhancing the knowledge and understanding of the EU and its relations with Canada.
Europe Day
Each 9 May Europe Day celebrates peace and unity in Europe as it marks the anniversary of the historic 1950 Schuman Declaration, which set out a vision for a new form of European political cooperation that would make war between European nations unthinkable. Europe Day is celebrated in Ottawa and in other major Canadian cities.
European Union Film Festival
Every year, the European Union Film Festival (EUFF) - our
our longest-running cultural activity — gives Canadians from coast to coast — including Ottawa, Toronto and Vancouver, a chance to experience Europe's diverse and rich film heritage.
Whether highlighting historic events, political subjects or personal dilemmas, European films are intellectually stimulating and culturally engaging.
In 2025, EUFF in Canada marks its 40th annual edition in Ottawa, 28th in Vancouver, 21st in Toronto and sixth online Canada-wide.
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European Union Youth Orchestra and National Youth Orchestra of Canada musicians performing in Montreal on their ground-breaking four-city Frenergy Tour in November 2019.
Copyright: Tam Lan Truong.