A day after watching from a front-row seat in the European Parliament as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen publicly pledged her willingness to work towards “opening the door for Canada to be the first associate member of the European Union,” Prime Minister Mark Carney got the opportunity to deliver his response this morning in a address that acknowledged that Europe and Canada are “each strong,” but argued that they are “even stronger together.”

Noting that the “objective is not self-sufficiency,” but “collective resilience,” he outlined his vision for an “alliance for the future” that would take “a unique, positive approach that we will define together, building on our common strengths and based on shared values,” according to the prepared text.

“We are not fair-weather allies,” he added.

“We do not pursue zero-sum deals. Our commitment to the rule of law, and our unyielding defence of human dignity, individual freedom, and democracy share the same deep roots, the same unwavering dedication.”

In a speech interrupted several times by applause, he noted that he also wanted to be “precise about what I am not proposing” — namely, a a third bloc in order to become a great-power rival —  only with better manners,” he noted.

“We do not seek power to dominate others. On the contrary, we are pursuing resilience so that no one can control our open markets, impair our sovereignty, threaten our territorial integrity, or undermine our freedoms, our democracies, our rule of law.”

According to the itinerary released by his office, Carney is booked in for a post-speech media availability alongside European Parliament president Roberta Metsola, and will fly back to Ottawa later this afternoon.

Speaking with reporters yesterday evening, U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to impose “very heavy tariffs on Europe” if he determines that a new alliance with Canada is a “hostile act,” Canadian Press reports.

“Trump also called Canada a ‘terrible trade partner’ after earlier Wednesday signing a memorandum directing federal agencies overseeing government procurement in the United States to remove all products of Canadian origin,” the wire service notes.

Back in Canada, Artificial Intelligence Minister Evan Solomon takes part in a “closing panel discussion” at All IN 2026, which his office describes as “Canada’s flagship AI conference,” and where, as Canadian Press reported yesterday, Solomon has been making the case that Canada needs to build its own AI data centres and “innovate here,” or risk sacrificing its own digital sovereignty. (4 p.m.)

Before hitting the main stage, he’ll join representatives of Montreal-based AI research network Mila for a mid-afternoon announcement and media availability. (3:20 p.m.)

Also on the ministerial circuit: Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald drops by the Haven Greens lettuce farm in King City, Ont., to highlight fresh federal support for a “new controlled environment agricultural technology” that, as per the advisory, “will help strengthen domestic food production and processing and support the availability of more Canadian-grown food year-round.” (9 a.m.)

Back in Ottawa, Secretary of State for Sport Adam van Koeverden teams up with Campfire Circle CEO Alex Robertson and eastern Ontario Liberal MP Chris Malette for an “infrastructure announcement.” (8 a.m.)

Elsewhere in the capital, Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand joins her Kuwaiti counterpart, Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, for a midday signing ceremony to “strengthen ties between the two countries,” according to the notice. (12 p.m.)

IN THE CHAMBER

Both the House of Commons and the Senate have shut down for the summer, with regular parliamentary proceedings set to resume in September.

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• EU head tells Carney she wants Canada as bloc’s first ‘associate member’
• Trump calls Canada becoming ‘associate member’ of EU a hostile act
• ‘Associate member?’ What we do and don’t know about proposed new EU ties with Canada
• Canada seeks full membership in U.K.-led military coalition
• Poilievre urges Conservatives to speak for Canadians, put national interest first
• Bank of Canada worried fresh U.S. tariff dispute will weigh on confidence
• Trump signs order to ban Canadian goods from U.S. government procurement
• Unifor urges government to prevent sale of Stellantis’ Brampton, Ont., plant
• Build data centres here or ‘rent’ from neighbours, AI minister says
• Montreal AI research institute denounces violence after office vandalized
• From investment buzz to building: Canada’s major projects face hurdles, experts say
• Trump criticizes Canada over drugs but leaves it off list of drug-producing countries
• Secrecy and accountability ‘can coexist’: groups push for Tumbler Ridge gun details
• Ottawa won’t say if people misused a now-defunct refugee residency sponsorship policy
• New Brunswick’s nuclear power plant expected to be off-line for weeks, official says
• Anglophones hail Quebec ruling ordering elections agency to send bilingual documents
• CAQ Leader Christine Fréchette’s record comes under attack in Quebec debate
• Quebec party leaders spar about referendum, sovereignty in second TV debate
• Calian partners with Ukrainian tech and defence company SkyFall for drone training
• Here’s how some Ontario municipalities are grappling with new AI data centres
• On shores of Lake Ontario, the Toronto International Film Festival bristles at Trump’s trade war
• Alberta government report reveals costs of separation from Canada
• Eby says NDP needs to be ‘election ready’ in B.C., but offers no date
• B.C. Conservative legislator Rattée calls out Findlay, says team ‘deeply divided’
• Amazon bumps hourly wages by $1 for operations workers in Canada

Committee highlights courtesy of our friends at iPoliticsINTEL.