OTTAWA — Former Liberal leader and minister Stéphane Dion is not calling on Canada to become a member of the European Union (EU) — but rather a “full and integral member” of the European Political Community (EPC) to reinforce ties with the continent.
Dion, who until recently served as Canada’s ambassador to France and Germany and special envoy to the EU, made the recommendation in front of the Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade in Ottawa on Wednesday.
The EPC was created in 2022 at the proposal of the French President Emmanuel Macron. It brings together the leaders of 47 European countries at biannual summits to discuss cooperation on shared priorities, such as security, stability, sustainability and prosperity.
Prime Minister Mark Carney participated in the EPC Summit in Yerevan, Armenia, this past May, which was the first time a non-European leader joined this group.
“This is further evidence of the great interest Europeans have in Canada,” Dion, who is a dual citizen of Canada and France, told the Senate committee members. “So, let’s go further. Canada should become a full and integral member of the European Political Community.”
“It would consolidate our status as the most European of non-European countries.”
The retired diplomat said joining the EPC would be “entirely beneficial for both sides” as it would strengthen Canada’s ties with Europe and allow to consult with leaders of countries the prime minister would otherwise “never have time to visit individually.”
Dion’s proposal raised some eyebrows among some senators in the room.
“I know that, based on your professional life, you’re well aware that when you offer a sales pitch on an idea that you really deeply believe in, you want to make sure that it doesn’t become an object of mockery for your critics,” said Charles Adler, senator from Manitoba.
“If you want to mock my ideas, I don’t care. I know they are good,” said Dion.
“People will naturally interpret (your prior comment) as being part of the EU,” replied Adler.
“Yes, but I’m facing senators who know (better),” shot back Dion.
The ambassador of the European Union to Canada, Geneviève Tuts, who was sitting next to Dion in the room, was asked by Newfoundland and Labrador Sen. Mohamed-Iqbal Ravalia to share her perspective on whether Canada could realistically join the EU.
Tuts said it is not the first time she has been asked that question and the answer is two-fold. First, she said, the potential member has to be situated on the European continent. Second, a country needs to respect the values promoted by the EU.
“I have absolutely no doubt about the second condition. We share the same values,” she said. “Being qualified for being a European country, I’m not sure this will be possible.”
The hypothetical idea of Canada joining the EU has been floated by European politicians as a joke more frequently since Carney came to power. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson recently told CTV it is a “very welcoming club” for like-minded countries.
This week, the president of Finland, Alexander Stubb, said in a speech that the EU should “think big” and increase its membership, citing Canada as a potential candidate.
Tuts said on Wednesday that while there is strong willingness on both sides to deepen cooperation between Canada and the EU, in her view, there are better ways to achieve that goal than Canada joining the continent’s political and economic union.
Dion chimed in to say that he thinks Canada joining the EU is “a false good idea.”
He said the 17 EU states need unanimity to welcome a new member, and that 10 other countries on the European continent are already waiting to become members. So, Canada becoming a member before Ukraine, for instance, would not be an easy sell, he said.
“From the Canadian perspective, very rapidly, I have 11 reasons why I think it’s a bad idea,” Dion continued, ruffling through his papers. “I will go as rapidly as I can…”
He noted that Canada would possibly have to open the Constitution to join the EU which, in itself, would “kill the idea.” He also mentioned the more stringent EU regulations on trade, industry or agriculture that would make it more difficult to align with the U.S.
Dion got through five of his points before the chair of the committee interrupted him.
“I just want to say it pains me a lot to interrupt you because you were my minister, and I never interrupted you then,” the chair, Ontario Sen. Peter M. Boehm later said.
Boehm was as a senior public servant when Dion served as minister of foreign affairs under prime minister Justin Trudeau.
National Post
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