Canada won't pay directly into EU budget under Carney's plan: ambassador-designate

Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-09-19 08:00:00.0
Tags: [National, Trade, Defence, Technology, Finance, Governance]

Incoming EU Ambassador-Designate Jonathan Wilkinson announced that Canada will not pay directly into the European Union budget under Prime Minister Mark Carney's proposed "unique alliance." However, Canada may contribute funding to specific strategic programs, such as the EU's Security Action for Europe (SAFE) defence loan program, Horizon research initiatives, and Erasmus+ student exchanges. Carney formally outlined his vision for the partnership before the European Parliament, aiming for seamless digital trade, critical mineral investments, and AI safety protocols, while facing skepticism from some European politicians and tariff threats from U.S. President Donald Trump.