Carney Says ‘Possibility’ of Visa Changes Part of Talks With EU

Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks during a fireside chat with the Chief Executive Officer of PSP Investments, Deborah Orida, in Toronto, on Sept. 15, 2026. The Canadian Press/Nathan Denette

Prime Minister Mark Carney says changes to visa rules for travel to and from the European Union are a “possibility,” and are one aspect of ongoing talks aimed at strengthening ties with the bloc.

The prime minister made the remarks Sept. 15 in Toronto before leaving for Strasbourg, France, where he is scheduled to deliver remarks to the European Parliament.

He said possible visa changes are one area where Canada and the EU could strengthen ties, while also citing deeper economic cooperation on clean energy and Canada’s potential role in supplying the bloc with critical minerals.

In June 2025, Canada and the European Union agreed to pursue a new, broader strategic partnership covering areas including trade, economic security, energy, critical minerals, labour mobility, digital technology, research, environment, and defence. The new partnership builds on the existing Strategic Partnership Agreement signed in 2016.

Carney said Sept. 15 that the next phase of talks with the EU will take place at the end of October at a Canada-EU summit to be held in Montreal.

He cautioned that there will not be a “big reveal,” suggesting that deeper Canada-EU relations are likely to develop gradually rather than through a single milestone agreement.

Carney also recently commented on a Wall Street Journal (WSJ) report citing unnamed officials from both sides that said Canada was seeking to become an “associate member” of the EU.

“We’re not looking to become a member of the European Union,” he said Sept. 13 at the Toronto International Film Festival. “What we are looking—and will begin discussions for—is a unique alliance between Canada and the European Union.”

“We share the same values, we have the same priorities and we have very complementary strengths,” he added.

According to the WSJ report, Carney had asked his special envoy to Europe to explore options for deepening Canada-EU ties short of full EU membership or access to the bloc’s common market, including greater cooperation on defence, energy, technology and critical minerals, as well as easing rules for Canadians to work and live in the EU.

The move to develop stronger ties with Europe comes in the context of an ongoing trade dispute with the United States, and follows Carney’s stated goal of doubling Canada’s non-U.S. exports by 2035.