European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called for Canada to become the first associate member of the EU, outlining plans for closer economic, tech and defense cooperation ▻ ↧ EU's von der Leyen wants Canada to become bloc's first associate me... EU lawmakers gave a standing ovation after European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen made the proposal and then walked over to embrace Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney, who was in the European Parliament.