Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada plans to begin discussions for a "unique alliance" with the European Union — but not membership — as he gears up to address the European Parliament this week.

"We're not looking to become a member of the European Union," Carney stated Sunday evening on the red carpet of the Toronto International Film Festival. He attended the festival shortly after giving a speech to kick off the two-day Canada Investment Summit, which begins Monday.

"What we are looking — and will begin discussions for — [is] a unique alliance with the European Union. We share the same values, we have the same priorities and we have very complementary strengths."

In a related development, carney's comments come after the Wall Street Journal indicated on Saturday that Carney has been pushing to bolster Canada's relationship with Europe's 27-nation bloc, and tasked his team to identify the most ambitious possibilities short of full membership.

The Journal further highlighted that Carney suggested Canada take on a new title of "associate member."

Canada looking into 'unique alliance' with EU, not membership: Carney

Furthermore, the report sparked a fierce pushback from Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, who remarked on social media Sunday evening that Carney "could not be more out of touch."

"We will NEVER be the 51st U.S. state," Poilievre wrote. "And we will NEVER be the 28th EU state."

A senior Canadian spokesperson, who offered information to CBC on a not-for-attribution basis, remarked there have been ongoing conversations about how Canada can deepen its relationship with Europe with the goal of greater sovereignty for Canada.

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The authority noted Canada is not trying to give up its independence for access, and the federal administration is less concerned about the label and more about what deepened ties can achieve for the state.

The spokesperson remarked the "associate member" label is one of a few that have been considered and that Canada did not propose it. The official added that the administration is still examining what the relationship could look like, and hopes to more clearly sketch it out at the EU-Canada summit at the end of October.

It is worth noting that in recent days, cabinet members have spoken up about Canada bringing itself closer to Europe as one way to ease the territory's economic dependence on the United States.

"I think Canadians should be reassured by the fact that we are looking at partnership in a market which is basically bigger than the U.S. consumer market," Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne told CBC's The House on Friday.

Canada and the U.S. remain locked in a bitter trade war, with the Canadians launching their $27.6 billion counter-tariffs earlier this week. The United States responded by announcing it would ban the import of Canadian alcohol, motorcycles and other products beginning Sept. 29.

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In an interview with Power & Politics earlier this week, the EU Ambassador to Canada Geneviève Tuts remarked the two sides already work well together, but both sides seek to "go further than that."

"Not just a new partnership, but something very new, and in a way something unique," Tuts declared. "We want to reimagine the relationship between the EU and Canada."

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Carney will travel to Strasbourg, France, on Tuesday and will address the European Parliament on Thursday, at the invitation of President Roberta Metsola.

Canada is also hosting the summit with the EU, scheduled for Oct. 29 and 30.

Benjamin Lopez Steven is an associate producer for CBC's The House and a digital writer with CBC Politics. He was also a 2024 Joan Donaldson Scholar and a graduate of Carleton University. You can reach him at benjamin.steven@cbc.ca or find him on X at @bensteven_s.