All smiles in Strasbourg but uncertainty clouds Canada’s EU membership plan

(From left, front) The president of the European parliament, Roberta Metsola, with Mark Carney and Ursula von der Leyen in Strasbourg. Photograph: Yves Herman/Reuters

Mark Carney received a rapturous reception in the European parliament when he gave his speech on Thursday welcoming a proposal for Canada to become the EU’s first-ever associate member.

Politicians queued to shake his hand and take selfies. One described the speech as a historic moment. “Europe has extended a hand, and Canada has taken it,” said the German Green MEP Terry Reintke, who borrowed a Canadian ice hockey shirt for the occasion.