What the EU partnership could mean for Canada for work, study, and trade

Canada's proposed deeper partnership with the European Union could eventually give Canadians new opportunities to work, study and conduct research in Europe.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has said young Canadians could gain greater freedom to work and study across Europe, with similar opportunities potentially offered to Europeans in Canada.

Canada could also join the EU's Erasmus programme, potentially allowing Canadian students to study in Europe for longer periods and access grants.

Researchers could gain closer access to European projects. Canada already participates in the EU's Horizon research programme and could potentially join its successor.

Longer-term co-operation could cover artificial intelligence, quantum technology, cybersecurity, defence, critical minerals, energy and the Arctic.

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said on Thursday the partnership could span “from critical raw materials, energy and connectivity to AI, education, defence and the Arctic region.”

Canada and the EU already have a free trade agreement, research partnerships and a defence-industrial arrangement.

Other non-EU countries offer possible models, such as Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein have extensive access to the EU market and programmes but generally follow many EU rules without voting on them.