Carney to address European Parliament, attend State of the Union address

Prime Minister Mark Carney will address the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France in September.

A statement from Carney's office Wednesday said the prime minister will also attend the European Union's annual State of the Union address.

Carney's office did not confirm the date for the trip but European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is scheduled to deliver her annual address on Sept. 16.

Carney is expected to deliver his address on Sept. 17.

Conservative deputy leader Melissa Lantsman said on social media that Carney should be focused on Canada's Parliament and not the EU given the trade war with the U.S. 

"The Prime Minister of Canada says this country is 'at war,' then plans to fly to Strasbourg to address EU Parliamentarians while refusing to recall the Parliament of the country he claims is under attack where he represents the people who elected him," Lantsman said in a post on X. 

The official Conservative Party account called the trip "unacceptable" in that Carney will talk in the European Parliament before he provides an update in Canada's Parliament.

The Conservatives on Sunday asked Carney to recall Parliament early to talk about Canada's response to U.S. tariffs.

The House of Commons is scheduled to reconvene on Sept. 21. 

Carney's visit comes as Canada and the U.S. are in an escalating trade war after talks broke down at the eleventh hour between trade negotiators last Friday. 

Since taking office in 2025, Carney has been heavily focused on deepening economic and security ties with European nations as he works to reduce Canada's reliance the U.S.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 26, 2026.

By David Baxter | Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.