Canada welcomes this ambition, Carney said of the proposal European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen presented on Wednesday to make Canada an "associate member."
However, he chose not to go into how such membership would work or whether it is even possible. Instead, he addressed point by point the things Canada can contribute to expanded cooperation, on everything from critical raw materials to liquefied natural gas, student exchanges and financial services.
Quoting Goethe
He began by quoting the German Johann Wolfgang von Goethe that “freedom must be earned daily” to emphasize that cooperation is about much more than just economics.
"Our commitment to the rule of law and our steadfast defense of democracy have the same roots. This is about sovereignty, our ability to live as we choose. It is that freedom that we must fight for every day," Carney said.
He was also clear that the intention of cooperation with the EU is not directed against anyone or intended to create a "third bloc".
We do not seek power to dominate anyone else. This is an alliance defined not by what we are against, but by what we are for: freedom, solidarity, prosperity and sustainability.
Bank manager in London
61-year-old Carney became Prime Minister in March last year after previously being best known as the Governor of the Bank of England from 2013 to 2020, when he was the first non-British citizen to hold that position.
His speaking skills attracted a lot of attention last winter when, at the World Economic Forum in Davos, he declared the death of the US-dominated world order that has prevailed for most of the time since World War II.
