Update ...
EU chief Ursula von der Leyen says she wants Canada to become the bloc's 1st associate member
Updated 8:53 AM EDT, September 16, 2026
apnews.com
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European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday proposed making Canada the European Union's first associate member, a striking overture as U.S. President Donald Trump's threats drive Ottawa closer to Europe.
Trump's tariffs and repeated talk of making Canada the 51st state have soured the relationship between the North American neighbors. Canada is seeking to reduce its dependence on the United States, the destination for roughly 70% of its exports, and Prime Minister Mark Carney has called for a "unique alliance" with the EU.
In her annual State of the European Union address, von der Leyen said Canada and the EU would build on their existing free trade agreement, known as CETA, with a broader "Alliance for the Future" aimed at creating "a common prosperity and economic security space."
She cast that closer relationship as rooted not just in trade but in shared democratic values.
"Above all, dear Mark, Europe and Canada believe in democracy," von der Leyen said to Carney, who received a standing ovation at the European Parliament in Strasbourg. He is due to address the Parliament on Thursday. ...
-We are ditching huge numbers of polling stations in urban areas to ensure voters have to wait 3-8 hours in line to vote IF they are willing to stay that long
Are you aware that Texas has been doing that for 13 years....and it totals over 700 polling places statewide?
Seriously....did you know that?