Closer Canada–EU Relations Could Create New Opportunities for Work and Study Permits

On Sunday, September 13, a report in the Wall Street Journal stated that Prime Minister Mark Carney had suggested Canada take on the title of “associate member of the European Union.” On Wednesday, the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, backed the proposal, stating that the EU was “opening the door” for Canada.

No country has ever been an “associate member” of the EU, it’s an affiliation that doesn’t exist. What it would mean would still have to be worked out, but it would involve closer ties regarding trade, security, and more.

In the day the WSJ report dropped, Leader of Canada’s Opposition, Pierre Poilievre, tweeted, “We will NEVER be the 51st U.S. state. And we will NEVER be the 28th EU state.” Conservative MP Michelle Rempel-Garner was similarly incensed writing, “The Prime Minister must be absolutely clear that he will not make matters worse by importing Europe’s immigration crisis.”

Everybody take note: Canada is not going to become a member state of the EU. Yes, we might be forming closer relations, but Mark Carney’s entire tenure has been built on building closer foreign partnerships. In fact, 81 percent of Canadians support closer integration with the European Union: easier trade, travel, work and study. Only 10 percent of the country opposes this.

By far, the most refreshing take I read came from Paul Wells, whose blog post titled, “Could everybody please calm down?” notes that there’s no way for Canada to become an EU member state, as only European States are eligible. “Associate membership” does not yet exist, “and the terms of a hypothetical associate membership would have to negotiated and “should be judged on what it contains if it ever happens.”

Now, all this handwringing has obscured, in my opinion, the most interesting part of this story… at least from an immigration perspective. If Canada and the EU strengthen ties, it’s possible that this could include increased mobility rights, meaning that Canadians and citizens of EU member states might get new options for working and studying in one another’s regions.

The Big Caveat: This is All Hypothetical

At this point, details and narratives are being cobbled together by a handful of quotes and past statements from the Prime Minister along with EU leadership, but no agreement has been confirmed which means no official details have been released.

So – no, Canada will not be “importing Europe’s immigration crisis.” But – Canada may open easier routes for certain Europeans who want to live, work, and study in Canada.

Canada regularly does this with nations and trading blocs around the world. In fact, Canada already has a trade agreement with the European Union which facilitates work permit access for certain citizens of EU member states.

The Canada–European Union Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (CETA) offers LMIA-exempt work permits to certain independent professionals, contractual service providers, intra-company transfers, and investors, who travel from the EU to work in Canada.

CETA work permits are highly restrictive and not many EU hopefuls are able to meet the eligibility requirements to quality, but this is one reason why expanding access to Canada–EU work permit mobility has such strong potential.

Beyond CETA, many EU member states already have youth mobility agreements with Canada allowing youth aged 18-30 or 18-35 (depending on the country) to live, work, and study in Canada (and vice versa) through Working Holiday visas and other similar programs. At this point, 22 of the EU’s 27 member states already have existing agreements with Canada for youth work permits:

Looking Beyond Europe: CUSMA & CPTPP Work Permits

Canada’s capacity to negotiate work mobility with trading partners has a long history. Since the negotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in the 1990s – now the Canada–US–Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) – Canada has welcomed eligible professionals from both the United States and Mexico who wish to work in Canada.

The CUSMA work permit programs welcome a range of professionals in certain occupations, provided they have work arranged in the receiving country. There are strict eligibility rules and requirements, but overall, the program permits much more cross-border labour mobility than CETA work permits.

If Canada and the EU strengthen relations, it’s possible that Canada could negotiate similar mobility rights with the EU.

However, this brings me back to the opening of this piece: this is all hypothetical. At this point, all we have are two quotes from Canadian and EU top officials floating the invention of “associate membership” to strengthen Canada–EU relations. (Plus, a whole lot of blowback on both sides of the Atlantic.)

At such an early stage, virtually anything is possible. Canada could invent a brand-new work permit program for citizens of EU member states. It could look nothing like anything we’ve seen before. Or, alternatively, work permits and study permits could be completely left out of the terms of “associate membership.”

This is why Paul Wells has my favourite take on this subject: Can everybody please calm down?

This is a fascinating development in international relations, and it could have future impacts on immigration in Canada. But, it’s simply too early to tell.

What I can promise is this: I’m watching this story. I’m transfixed by the implications for Canada’s deteriorating relationship with the U.S. and by the potential ramifications for immigration.

I’ll keep watching this story. And as soon as there’s an update with some substance – something beyond clickbait speculation – I’ll be here to report it and let you know what it might mean for your immigration.

Until then, stay focused on the things you can control, not those outside your control. Many immigration options already exist for mobility between Canada and the EU; you simply have to do your research.

A great place to start is the Moving2Canada Immigration Quiz. For more in-depth guidance, you can book a one-on-one consultation with our immigration consultant, Rebecca.