Canada and the European Union
Encyclopedia
Relations between Canada and the European Union (EU) and its forerunners date back to the 1950s. While primarily an economic relationship, there are matters of political cooperation as well.
and mass European immigration to Canada
. Canada was first settled by the French, and after 1763 was formally added to the British Empire after its capture in the Seven Years' War
.
The United Kingdom
has extremely close relations with Canada, due to its British colonial past and both being realms
of the Commonwealth
. The UK is a member of the EU.
Historically, Canada's relations with the UK and USA
were usually given priority over relations with continental Europe. Nevertheless, Canada had existing ties with European countries through the Western alliance during the Second World War
, the United Nations
, and NATO before the creation of the European Economic Community
.
In 1976 the European Economic Community
(EEC) and Canada signed a Framework Agreement on Economic Co-operation, the first formal agreement of its kind between the EEC and an industrialized third country.
Also in 1976 the Delegation of the European Commission to Canada
opened in Ottawa.
In 1990 European and Canadian leaders adopted a Declaration on Transatlantic Relations
, extending the scope of their contacts and establishing regular meetings at Summit and Ministerial level.
In 1996, a new Political Declaration on EU-Canada Relations was made at the Ottawa Summit, adopting a joint Action Plan identifying additional specific areas for co-operation.
Premier
Jean Charest
and the Government of Canada
led by Prime Minister
Stephen Harper
have been pressuring the EU and its member countries to negotiate a Canada-EU free trade agreement In early 2008, Premier Charest loudly advocated for such an agreement during a trip to Europe and asked the federal government to start selling its benefits in Europe. Former French prime minister Edouard Balladur
has supported the idea, while former Canadian trade negotiator Michael Hart called the idea "silly."
The Canada Europe Roundtable for Business (CERT), founded in 1999, has been a principal advocate for a free trade agreement and is supported by more than 100 Canadian and European chief executives. CERT is co-Chaired by former Canadian trade minister Roy MacLaren, and Bill Emmott, former Editor of The Economist magazine
Europe's financial meltdown has shepherded launch of negotiations of a new trade agreement, with the EU's own $3.5-trillion banking bailout for the 15 countries whose common currency is the euro. It would also ease Canada's dependency on the sagging U.S. economy.
In June 2009, EU Trade Commissioner Catherine Ashton and Canadian Minister of International Trade
Stockwell Day
released a joint statement regarding the start of negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA).
Minister Day stated "This first meeting represents a solid step toward a historic economic agreement between Canada and Europe. These negotiations are a priority for our government."
But Canada and EU remain at odds over an EU ban on importing seal
products, and Canada's recent decision to require that Czech citizens obtain a visa to travel to Canada.
History
Canada's relationship with Europe is an outgrowth of the historic connections spawned by colonialismColonialism
Colonialism is the establishment, maintenance, acquisition and expansion of colonies in one territory by people from another territory. It is a process whereby the metropole claims sovereignty over the colony and the social structure, government, and economics of the colony are changed by...
and mass European immigration to Canada
Immigration to Canada
Immigration to Canada is the process by which people migrate to Canada to reside permanently in the country. The majority of these individuals become Canadian citizens. After 1947, domestic immigration law and policy went through major changes, most notably with the Immigration Act, 1976, and the...
. Canada was first settled by the French, and after 1763 was formally added to the British Empire after its capture in the Seven Years' War
Seven Years' War
The Seven Years' War was a global military war between 1756 and 1763, involving most of the great powers of the time and affecting Europe, North America, Central America, the West African coast, India, and the Philippines...
.
The United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
has extremely close relations with Canada, due to its British colonial past and both being realms
Commonwealth Realm
A Commonwealth realm is a sovereign state within the Commonwealth of Nations that has Elizabeth II as its monarch and head of state. The sixteen current realms have a combined land area of 18.8 million km² , and a population of 134 million, of which all, except about two million, live in the six...
of the Commonwealth
Commonwealth of Nations
The Commonwealth of Nations, normally referred to as the Commonwealth and formerly known as the British Commonwealth, is an intergovernmental organisation of fifty-four independent member states...
. The UK is a member of the EU.
Historically, Canada's relations with the UK and USA
North Atlantic triangle
The North Atlantic triangle is a theoretical construct for studying the history of Canadian foreign policy. It seeks to explain the importance of British—American relations to Canada's security, and even survival, during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.The triangle in question...
were usually given priority over relations with continental Europe. Nevertheless, Canada had existing ties with European countries through the Western alliance during the Second World War
Allies of World War II
The Allies of World War II were the countries that opposed the Axis powers during the Second World War . Former Axis states contributing to the Allied victory are not considered Allied states...
, the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
, and NATO before the creation of the European Economic Community
European Economic Community
The European Economic Community The European Economic Community (EEC) The European Economic Community (EEC) (also known as the Common Market in the English-speaking world, renamed the European Community (EC) in 1993The information in this article primarily covers the EEC's time as an independent...
.
Agreements
The history of Canada's relations with the EU is best documented in a series of economic agreements:In 1976 the European Economic Community
European Economic Community
The European Economic Community The European Economic Community (EEC) The European Economic Community (EEC) (also known as the Common Market in the English-speaking world, renamed the European Community (EC) in 1993The information in this article primarily covers the EEC's time as an independent...
(EEC) and Canada signed a Framework Agreement on Economic Co-operation, the first formal agreement of its kind between the EEC and an industrialized third country.
Also in 1976 the Delegation of the European Commission to Canada
Delegation of the European Commission to Canada
The Delegation of the European Union to Canada is located in Canada's capital, Ottawa. It was established to facilitate relations between the European Union and Canada...
opened in Ottawa.
In 1990 European and Canadian leaders adopted a Declaration on Transatlantic Relations
Transatlantic relations
Transatlantic relations refers to the historic, cultural, political, economic and social relations between countries on both side of the Atlantic Ocean. Sometimes specifically those between the United States, Canada and the countries in Europe, although other meanings are possible.There are a...
, extending the scope of their contacts and establishing regular meetings at Summit and Ministerial level.
In 1996, a new Political Declaration on EU-Canada Relations was made at the Ottawa Summit, adopting a joint Action Plan identifying additional specific areas for co-operation.
Canada-EU Free Trade Agreement Proposal
Since as early as January 2007, QuebecQuebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
Premier
Premier of Quebec
The Premier of Quebec is the first minister of the Canadian province of Quebec. The Premier is the province's head of government and his title is Premier and President of the Executive Council....
Jean Charest
Jean Charest
John James "Jean" Charest, PC, MNA is a Canadian politician who has been the 29th Premier of Quebec since 2003. He was leader of the federal Progressive Conservative Party of Canada from 1993 to 1998 and has been leader of the Quebec Liberal Party since 1998....
and the Government of Canada
Government of Canada
The Government of Canada, formally Her Majesty's Government, is the system whereby the federation of Canada is administered by a common authority; in Canadian English, the term can mean either the collective set of institutions or specifically the Queen-in-Council...
led by Prime Minister
Prime Minister of Canada
The Prime Minister of Canada is the primary minister of the Crown, chairman of the Cabinet, and thus head of government for Canada, charged with advising the Canadian monarch or viceroy on the exercise of the executive powers vested in them by the constitution...
Stephen Harper
Stephen Harper
Stephen Joseph Harper is the 22nd and current Prime Minister of Canada and leader of the Conservative Party. Harper became prime minister when his party formed a minority government after the 2006 federal election...
have been pressuring the EU and its member countries to negotiate a Canada-EU free trade agreement In early 2008, Premier Charest loudly advocated for such an agreement during a trip to Europe and asked the federal government to start selling its benefits in Europe. Former French prime minister Edouard Balladur
Édouard Balladur
Édouard Balladur is a French politician who served as Prime Minister of France from 29 March 1993 to 10 May 1995.-Biography:Balladur was born in İzmir, Turkey, to an Armenian Catholic family with five children and long-standing ties to France...
has supported the idea, while former Canadian trade negotiator Michael Hart called the idea "silly."
The Canada Europe Roundtable for Business (CERT), founded in 1999, has been a principal advocate for a free trade agreement and is supported by more than 100 Canadian and European chief executives. CERT is co-Chaired by former Canadian trade minister Roy MacLaren, and Bill Emmott, former Editor of The Economist magazine
Europe's financial meltdown has shepherded launch of negotiations of a new trade agreement, with the EU's own $3.5-trillion banking bailout for the 15 countries whose common currency is the euro. It would also ease Canada's dependency on the sagging U.S. economy.
In June 2009, EU Trade Commissioner Catherine Ashton and Canadian Minister of International Trade
Minister of International Trade (Canada)
The Minister of International Trade is the Minister of the Crown in the Canadian Cabinet is the head of the federal government's international trade department and the provisions of treaties such as the North American Free Trade Agreement .The post was first established in 1983 as the Minister...
Stockwell Day
Stockwell Day
Stockwell Burt Day, Jr., PC, MP is a former Canadian politician, and a member of the Conservative Party of Canada. He is a former cabinet minister in Alberta, and a former leader of the Canadian Alliance. Day was MP for the riding of Okanagan—Coquihalla in British Columbia and the president of...
released a joint statement regarding the start of negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA).
Minister Day stated "This first meeting represents a solid step toward a historic economic agreement between Canada and Europe. These negotiations are a priority for our government."
But Canada and EU remain at odds over an EU ban on importing seal
Pinniped
Pinnipeds or fin-footed mammals are a widely distributed and diverse group of semiaquatic marine mammals comprising the families Odobenidae , Otariidae , and Phocidae .-Overview: Pinnipeds are typically sleek-bodied and barrel-shaped...
products, and Canada's recent decision to require that Czech citizens obtain a visa to travel to Canada.
See also
- Comprehensive Economic and Trade AgreementComprehensive Economic and Trade AgreementThe Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement is a proposed free trade agreement between Canada and the European Union.CETA is Canada's biggest bilateral initiative since NAFTA....
- Delegation of the European Commission to CanadaDelegation of the European Commission to CanadaThe Delegation of the European Union to Canada is located in Canada's capital, Ottawa. It was established to facilitate relations between the European Union and Canada...
(Ottawa) - Foreign relations of CanadaForeign relations of CanadaThe foreign relations of Canada are Canada's relations with other governments and peoples. Canada's most important relationship, being the largest trading relationship in the world, is with the United States...
- Foreign relations of the European UnionForeign relations of the European UnionAlthough there has been a large degree of integration between European Union member states, foreign relations is still a largely inter-governmental matter, with the 27 members controlling their own relations to a large degree. However with the Union holding more weight as a single bloc, there are...
- List of Canadian ambassadors to the European Union
- Mission of Canada to the European UnionMission of Canada to the European UnionThe Mission of Canada to the European Union is the diplomatic mission representing Canada to the European Union, located in Brussels, Belgium. Formal relations were established in 1959, with the signing of the Agreement for Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy, and were the first for...
(Brussels) - Turbot WarTurbot WarThe Turbot War of 1995 was an international fishing dispute between Canada, and Spain in which Canada stopped a Galician fishing trawler in international waters and arrested its crew...
External links
- Delegation of the European Commission to Canada
- The EU's relations with Canada
- Mission of Canada to the European Union
- Canada - EU: Negotiations Towards a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement
- Canada-Europe free trade touted by Charest
- Resource for information on EU-Canada Relations from University of British Columbia