Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney stated that Canada is not seeking full European Union membership and prefers to describe the enhanced partnership as an alliance of the future.

From the articleCanada's new relationship with European Union will be 'closer to membership' than ever, senior officials say | CBC NewsAlso in Canada-EU summit will kick off formal talks on closer ties: Carney - National | Globalnews.ca, Canada-EU summit: What do both sides want, and what’s at stake?, Canada ‘associate membership’ spurs battle of words with EU capitals