Canada-EU Relations The European Union is a strategic partner for Canada and we share many common values. Our relationship is the EU's oldest formal relationship with any industrialised country, officially dating back to 1959 when the two signed the Agreement for Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy. In 2016, the Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA) was signed and has been provisionally applied since April 2017. The SPA represents the new foundation upon which Canada-EU political relations are based, and the mechanism through which Canada formally engages the EU on significant issues.
The Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), which was signed in October 2016 and provisionally entered into force in September 2017, is creating new commercial opportunities for Canadian and EU businesses, and forging closer links between our economies.
More information on how the EU works is available on the official website of the European Union.
Summits The Canada-EU Summit will take place between Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau and Donald Tusk, President of the European Council, in Montreal on July 17-18, 2019. The Minister of International Trade Diversification, Jim Carr, and the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Catherine McKenna, will also attend the Summit, along with Special Envoy to the European Union, Stéphane Dion, and the Ambassador of Canada to the European Union, Daniel Costello. On behalf of the European Union (EU), Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström will represent the European Commission, accompanied by the EU Ambassador to Canada, Peteris Ustubs.
Leaders will reaffirm their mutual commitment to strengthen international cooperation between Canada and the EU to deliver economic growth that benefits everyone, combat climate change and protect the environment, advance international peace and security, promote gender equality, foster innovation and defend the rules-based international order.
Political and Security Cooperation Canada and the EU enjoy a strong bilateral relationship across the broad spectrum of political and security issues and international policy. We share a common history; common values, a commitment to preserving the rules-based international order, and have common hopes for the future. We work closely to promote democracy, peace and security, respect for human rights, the rule of law, and effective multilateral institutions.
In 2017, provisional application of the Canada-EU Strategic Partnership Agreement started, setting the framework for our political relationship. This agreement provides for regular dialogues, from the Summit level through Foreign Ministers' meetings to expert level meetings in specific areas, such as international peace and security, development, climate change, or innovation. Canada and the EU also identify each other as "strategic partners".
Annual "Joint Ministerial Committee" meetings bring together the Canadian Foreign Minister and the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. These meetings review the dynamic EU-Canada relationship and chart the way ahead.
Throughout the year, on an annual and sometimes bi-annual basis, senior officials and experts meet in a structured format to discuss a range of issues and themes in greater depth. Informal meetings also occur on an ad hoc basis on the margins of other international fora where both Canada and the European Union are represented.
This framework for consultations makes the Canada-EU bilateral relationship one of Canada's more structured in the international arena. Our relationship is always evolving to reflect the priorities of Canada and the EU in a changing world.
Peace and Security
As the European Union's foreign policy role has grown, so too has our cooperation. Canada has participated in European peace and security missions in Africa, Asia, and Europe. Conflict prevention and increased international cooperation for more effective crisis management have become a central component of our political dialogue. Canada currently participates in four EU missions:
EU Police Mission for the Palestinian Territories (EUPOL COPPS) started its operations in 2006. It aims to provide enhanced efforts to establish an effective and sustainable civilian police in the Territories.
The EU Advisory Mission for Civilian Security Sector Reform Ukraine (EUAM Ukraine) was established in 2014 to assist Ukraine in this reform, including police and the rule of law.
The EU civilian mission in Bamako, Mali (EUCAP Sahel Mali) was launched in 2015 to assist and advise Mali's internal security forces as they implement the reform in the security sector.
The EU Advisory Mission in support of security sector reform in Iraq (EUAMIraq) focuses on assisting the Iraqi authorities in the implementation of the civilian aspects of the Iraqi national security strategy.
Democracy and Human Rights Canada and the EU regularly exchange views and work together to advance human rights. We have a structured, expert-level dialogue on human rights and pursue common priorities in the UN and in other multilateral fora.
Canada and the EU are committed to helping other states develop sustainable democratic institutions and practices. We do this by providing direct support, legal and administrative training, and technical assistance. An important area of Canada-EU joint action to promote democracy is electoral observation. Canada has participated in over 20 of the EU's election observation missions since 2005.
Related information
Trade & Investment Canada and the EU enjoy a strong bilateral trade and investment relationship. In 2017, the EU was Canada’s second largest trading partner after the U.S. Total merchandise exports to the EU were approximately $41.6 billion. Total merchandise imports from the EU were approximately $66.3 billion. In 2017 Canada exported $19.1 billion in services to the EU (16.7% of total services exports) and imported $26.0 billion in services from the EU (18.6% of total services imports).
Known stocks of EU Foreign Direct Investment in Canada were estimated to be worth $243.5 billion at the end of 2017. The EU had the second-largest amount of Canadian direct investment abroad (CDIA) at the end of 2017, with stocks estimated at $269.4 billion, representing nearly one quarter of all CDIA. The EU is also an important source of new technologies and a key partner in science, technology and innovation. This helps to further Canada’s goal of becoming a world-leading knowledge-based economy.
The most important category of goods traded between Canada and the EU are machinery (in 2016 it accounted for 23.6% of EU exports to Canada and 13.7% of its imports), transport equipment (which accounted for 18.7% of EU exports and 11.4% of its imports), and chemical and pharmaceutical products (which accounted for 16.7% of EU exports and 7.5% of its imports). Trade in services between Canada and the EU is also significant and has grown the fastest in recent years. Examples of services traded between Canada and the EU are transportation, travel, insurance and communication.
The Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) was signed in 2016 and entered into force in 2017. With its provisional application all economically significant parts of the agreement are now in force. The agreement will take full effect once all EU Member States have formally ratified it. Benefits of CETA are already visible on both sides of the Atlantic with increased bilateral trade. Duties on 98% of products that the EU trades with Canada have been removed. Over the course of the next few years, a further 1% of tariff lines will be phased out, for a total of 99% of all Canadian goods entering the EU market duty-free. Apart from the tariff reductions, other key benefits of CETA are:
cutting red tape
access to EU government procurement contracts
liberalization of services
regulatory cooperation
increased mobility for company employees
Science, Technology and Innovation Canada has a strong and successful history of Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) collaboration with the EU, which goes back to 1959 with the signing of the Agreement for Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy. It continues with the Canada-EU Agreement for Scientific and Technological Cooperation. Under this agreement, Canada and the EU have established priority areas for STI cooperation, which include aerospace, agriculture and agri-food, Arctic and marine (under the Galway Statement on Atlantic Ocean Cooperation), information communication technologies, health, researcher mobility and research infrastructure.
Horizon 2020 is the current EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation with a budget of nearly €80 billion (over $120 billion CAD) for 2014-2020. Horizon 2020 supports world-class science, facilitates mobility of researchers within and outside the EU, and supports multi-sectoral, innovative research to address societal challenges. Horizon 2020 is open to the world, which allows Canadian researchers and companies to collaborate with European counterparts in Horizon 2020 projects. Canada is also associated with EUREKA through the National Research Council’s Industrial Research Assistance Program. EUREKA is an international network of over 40 economies that supports international partnering in market-driven industrial innovation projects. Since Canada joined EUREKA in 2012, Canadians have become top participants, making EUREKA another important platform for collaborative innovation between Canadian and European small-medium enterprises.
Related information
Canadian Trade Commissioner Service – Science, Technology and Innovation
European Commission: Canada Country Information for Horizon 2020
Canada-EU Administrative Arrangement on Cooperation with Horizon 2020 Project Consortia
Horizon 2020: Call topics for international cooperation with Canada and other third countries
Energy Energy represents a significant portion of the trade and investment relationship between Canada and the European Union. Current concerns over energy security and the effects of the energy industry on the environment make energy an even more important issue.
Canada and the EU continue to engage on energy topics through the High Level Energy Dialogue (HLED) under the Strategic Partnership Agreement. Established to foster increased bilateral contacts and cooperation on energy, the HLED provides an annual forum to discuss energy policy issues, such as market transparency, maintaining a safe, sustainable and competitive energy supply, as well as research and development activities in this dynamic field. Current areas of focus include: transition toward a low carbon future, addressing market barriers and ‘clean financing’.
Late in 2018, the EU finalized its new energy legislative framework – the Clean Energy for All Europeans package. This modern policy framework brings regulatory certainty through the confirmation of binding renewable energy and energy efficiency targets, and the introduction of the first national energy and climate plans for each Member State. Coupled with the EU’s interest in increasing energy security, diversification, and becoming a global super power in clean energy, this new energy ecosystem presents opportunities for Canadian businesses such as increasing exports of transition fuels (e.g. LNG), clean technologies, and services. Contact Canada’s Trade Commissioner Service for more information.
Chemicals and Waste Management
Canada is a world leader in the lifecycle management of chemical substances and products. Through our domestic Chemicals Management Plan we contribute to the chemicals and waste themes currently under consideration by the United Nations Commission for Sustainable Development. Environment Canada is engaged internationally to ensure that chemicals and waste-related issues are effectively managed through international agreements, such as:
the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal
through cooperation with key international organizations and initiatives, such as the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development and the North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation
Agriculture, Environment and Fisheries
Canadian Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada has a well-established agriculture and agri-food industry with long-standing success in the global marketplace. Canada prides itself on its systems and policies ensuring world-class production standards. The industry's best practices and well-known reputation for innovative products and high-quality food have consistently positioned it as a cornerstone of our economy and a driving force in international trade.
While the relative contribution of Canadian agriculture to our overall economy has been declining, the absolute size of the sector has continued to grow. The agriculture and agri-food system contributes over $110 billion annually to the Canadian economy and employs 2.3 million Canadians. The importance of the sector varies from province to province, with food processing being more important in Central and Eastern Canada, and primary agriculture more important in the Prairies.
Canada is the fifth largest exporter of agricultural and agri-food products in the world after the EU, U.S., Brazil, and China. We export $56 billion a year in agriculture and agri-food products. Approximately half of everything we produce is exported as either primary commodities or processed food and beverage products. Find out more about Canada’s Agrifood sector and exports.
Agriculture and Agri-food in the European Union The EU is the world's largest importer of agricultural goods. Canada's relative market position, within the EU has a lot to do with the their market requirements. As many of its main agricultural products are also produced in Canada, we are often seen as a competitor to domestic goods in many EU markets. While the EU is self-sufficient for well over half of its food requirements, it relies on imports to make up the difference.
Canada and the EU have entered into two bilateral agreements to facilitate agri-food trade. The first is the Agreement between the European Community and the Government of Canada on Sanitary Measures to Protect Public and Animal Health in Respect of Trade in Live Animals and Animal Products. The implementation of this agreement is overseen by a Joint Management Committee co-chaired by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and the European Commission’s Health and Consumers Directorate General.
The second is the Agreement between Canada and the European Community on Trade in Wines and Spirit Drinks, which resolved past irritants in the wine and spirits sectors and solidified Canada's product access to the EU. The agreement provides a simplified certification process for Canadian wine exports to the EU and protection for Canadian and European wine and spirit geographical indications. Protection for geographical indications of Canadian wine and spirits include the Okanagan Valley, Niagara Peninsula and Canadian rye whisky. The EU benefits from the enhanced transparency provisions regarding liquor distribution systems in Canada.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the EU enjoy a long-standing relationship on oceans and fisheries in part through an ocean partnership and a joint declaration on Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing. Cooperation between Canada and the EU on fisheries also takes place in the context of Regional Fisheries Management Organizations, such as the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization. Canada and the EU worked closely during Canada’s 2018 G7 presidency to advance the international oceans agenda, and in addressing micro-plastics. Canada and the EU both signed the International Agreement to Prevent Unregulated High Seas Fisheries in the Central Arctic Ocean in 2018.
Environment and Climate Change Canada and the European Union have an extensive history of cooperation on environmental policies. This relationship dates back to 1975, when Canada and the European Commission signed an exchange of letters on environmental cooperation.
The Canada-EU High-Level Dialogue on Environment began in 1983, and the High-Level Dialogue on Climate Change in 2010. Both dialogues were formalized in 2017, under the Canada-EU Strategic Partnership Agreement. These Dialogues provide a forum for technical discussion and information exchange as well as identifying areas of future cooperation and coordination. Issues discussed in the High Level Dialogue on Environment have included biodiversity, sustainable development, forests, and mercury. The High Level Dialogue on Climate Change has focussed on the importance of pursuing greater ambition to combat climate change.
Canada and the EU also benefit from a strong partnership for addressing environment and climate issues in multilateral fora and international organizations, such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the G7/G20. Implementation of the Paris Agreement is a priority for both Canada and the EU. Together with China, Canada and the EU launched the Ministerial on Climate Action (MoCA) in 2017 to advance the goals of the Paris Agreement.
Justice and Home Affairs
Justice and Home Affairs issues such as migration, border management, and judicial and police cooperation are important areas of Canada-EU cooperation.
Migration Migratory and refugee movements across the world present challenges and opportunities for Canada and the EU. Canada's long experience in asylum, immigration, integration, citizenship, and multiculturalism are well-known and regarded. While migration and asylum policies largely remain under the competence of Member States, the EU is taking important steps to foster harmonization, co-operation, as well as contributions to the Union's economic development and role in international protection.
The Mission of Canada to the EU fosters the exchange of information and best practices between Canada and the EU, and promotes joint co-operation in areas of mutual interest. Canada and the EU have similar interests and can benefit from collaboration on a range of areas such as:
managing asylum programs
facilitating traveller and migrant mobility while protecting the security of citizens
cooperating in multilateral forums on migration, such as the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration
The Mission of Canada also monitors key EU developments in the domain of migration and asylum. The European Commission, the Council of the European Union, and the European Parliament are all key actors and interlocutors for Canada in this policy area.
More information
Border Management The Government of Canada has two main priorities in which effective and responsive border management plays a key role. One is to ensure the safety and security of Canadians. The second supports our economic competiveness. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) strives to ensure our borders are secure against threats to Canada's safety, security and economic prosperity, and open to the movement of legitimate people and goods.
The CBSA recognizes that threats and opportunities arising from international trade growth and global migration – from drug and human trafficking to organised crime, migration crime, smuggling, terrorism and fraud – can be dealt with most effectively by working with our domestic and international partners. The CBSA works closely with other organizations based in the European Union. To create a smart and secure border, we have implemented a border strategy founded on modern technology, risk management, and information sharing. A key element of our strategy is to "push our borders out" using pre-screening, information-sharing, and enforcement cooperation to lessen risk as far away from our borders as possible.
We have signed instruments with the EU to facilitate border management cooperation. These agreements represent a solid development in our bi-lateral relationship and will benefit our respective trading communities as well as our respective border integrity. These agreements enhance security against terrorism and cross-border criminal activity, and also increase facilitation for low-risk travellers, low-risk shipments, and trusted traders:
Judicial Cooperation In the EU, the relevant judicial authorities of each member state cooperate on criminal issues such as organised crime, terrorism, corruption, illicit drug trafficking, illicit arms trafficking, offences against children, etc. EU structures have also been created to enhance judicial cooperation between the member states' competent judicial authorities. Our Justice team in Brussels liaises with EU agencies in these matters and follows the work of EU institutions in criminal law policy-making.
The team also provides support to national authorities requesting judicial legal assistance in (e.g. evidence-gathering) or extradition from Canada. As Canada is a Party to the Council of Europe’s Cybercrime Convention, it regularly participates at the Cybercrime Convention Committee meetings at the Council of Europe in Strasbourg.
Canada and the Council of Europe The Council of Europe, which has 47 member states, is the continent's oldest political organization. It was created in 1949 to promote cooperation and strengthen democracy, human rights and the rule of law in Western Europe after the Second World War. It now also serves as a forum for examining a wide range of social issues such as public health and bioethical issues, intolerance and the integration of migrants, terrorism, drug trafficking and criminal activities, privacy, and the impact of new technologies.
Canada was granted official observer status with the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers in 1996. In 1997 Canadian parliamentarians were granted official observer status with the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. The Minister Counsellor and Deputy Head of Mission of the Mission of Canada to the European Union is Canada's Permanent Observer to the Council of Europe.
Doing Business in the EU The Canadian Trade Commissioner Service in the European Union provides on-the-ground intelligence and practical advice on this market to help make better, timely and cost-effective decisions.
Canadian companies doing business in or with the United Kingdom (UK) may be impacted by the UK's planned departure from the EU, also known as Brexit. See Brexit – Summary information for Canadian companies. More information on exporting to the EU is included in our “Guide for Canadian Business”.
Inside information for Canadian firms about opportunities in the EU in 12 key sectors
Consult the Canadian Tariff Finder to explore tariff information for the EU market
Canada’s Merchandise Trade Performance with the EU under CETA
Gender Pledge
Committed to advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment both at home and abroad. For the Mission of Canada to the European Union, this includes mainstreaming gender into the work of the Mission and taking actions to identify and remedy gender imbalances in all day-to-day activities. This pledge sets out specific gender equality commitments and key actions for Mission management and staff to work towards in 2019.
Leadership
Create a cross-section gender equality committee to share best practices, disseminate information, highlight training opportunities, propose new initiatives, track and report on the progress of the gender pledge and promote gender equality across sectors.
Assign a senior-level gender champion to oversee the work of the Gender Equality Committee.
Work with partners towards the creation of an International Gender Champions hub in Brussels.
Policies and Guidelines
Consider how to apply GBA+ analysis to each section’s policy work, including reporting.
Develop a “toolkit” and guidelines for organizing inclusive events and ensuring gender-balance on panels.
Release a pledge from senior management and staff outlining a commitment to decline sitting on all-male panels.
Develop guidelines to ensure all communications adequately promote gender equality and reflect gender balance.
Inform all staff about policy and guidelines on department-wide gender equality policies, including on preventing and reporting sexual harassment and gender-based discrimination in the workplace.
Training
Ensure all staff complete the Government of Canada’s GBA+ online training course.
Organize a specific training session on how GBA+ analysis applies to the work of the Mission.
Facilitate at least one training session per year for all staff on an issue of relevance (eg. unconscious bias training, diverse panels, gender sensitivity, gender analysis frameworks and tools, intersectionality, assertiveness training), as well as specific training sessions for management and relevant groups.
Advocacy
Ensure that, where feasible and appropriate, all Mission advocacy events highlight gender equality, women’s empowerment and the benefits of diversity and inclusion.
Host at least one event per year to specifically promote gender equality and women’s empowerment.
Complete a diverse and inclusive mapping of women’s organizations and other potential partners to work with on gender equality initiatives in Brussels.
Launch a social media campaign to promote the gender pledge and pertinent events.
Monitoring and Evaluation
Develop a set of indicators to track the integration of gender across relevant Mission activities.
Monitor and report on the gender balance of all Mission panels and events.
Assess levels of satisfaction and concern among all staff on gender inclusivity at work and recommend appropriate follow-up actions where necessary.
Approval
The gender pledge will be signed by the Ambassador and Mission Management; it will be implemented by all staff under the guidance of the gender champion and members of the Gender Equality Committee with support of the management team.
The Mission will review and report on its gender goals and associated action plan at the beginning of each year.
Mission staff will be expected to read and adhere to all internal policies and guidelines created through this initiative.
Chargé d’affaires of Canada to the European Union
Christopher Cooter, (BA Hons [Political Science], University of Toronto, 1981; MA [Political Science], Columbia University, 1982; BCL, LLB [Common/Civil Law], McGill University, 1986) was an associate at Campney & Murphy, a Vancouver law firm (1987 to 1989), then acting manager of lands for the British Columbia region of the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs (1989 to 1990).
He joined External Affairs and International Trade Canada in 1990. He served abroad as deputy permanent representative to the Joint Delegation of Canada to NATO, as political officer in the Canadian high commissions to India and Kenya and as high commissioner to Nigeria. Most recently, he finished in 2019 his assignment as Ambassador to Turkey.
At Headquarters, he served as director of the Policy Planning division and of the Southeast Europe division. He served as director general responsible for the amalgamation of the Canadian International Development Agency and Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, and director general of the Executive Management and Assignments Division. He has two children, Zoe and Anais.
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