Wall Street Journal: Carney has instructed his special envoy to Europe to scope out the most ambitious possibilities short of full membership in the EU or its common market, according to people familiar with the matter. The details are still being sketched by technical working groups for what the prime minister has told his aides will be the reorienting of an economy and a society that for half a century has been dominated by the U.S.
To European leaders, Carney has even suggested Canada take on a new title: “Associate Member of the European Union.” The EU, not known for its flexible enforcement of membership rules, is open to the idea, officials from both sides say.
…In their meetings, EU officials have tried to probe whether their Canadian visitors are using them as props in counter-negotiations with Washington. Scarred by Brexit, they can’t offer Carney terms so generous that other members think of leaving and demanding a Canada-style arrangement…