Canada's EU ambassador says caution needed on Europe's right-wing parties

Canada's ambassador to the European Union says people need to be cautious about becoming overly concerned about the rise of stronger right-wing parties in Europe. Jonathan Wilkinson, a former federal cabinet minister, made the remarks to the Senate's foreign affairs and international trade committee. The Senate announced on November 4, 2026 that the committee would hear from him on relations between Canada and the European Union.

Senator Duncan Wilson questioned Wilkinson about far-right political groups in Europe. In response, Wilkinson referred to the Alternative for Germany party, which claimed first place in a German state election in September. He told senators that the state the party won has 3 per cent of Germany's population.

Wilkinson said he had more concern about France. Marine Le Pen, parliamentary leader of the far-right National Rally, is leading other presidential hopefuls in public-opinion polls there. He said her party has been less focused on strengthening the European Union, and is probably less interested in partnerships outside Europe. Canadian diplomats, he said, have had conversations with many parties in Europe, and his counterpart in France has spoken with Le Pen's party.

He also pointed to Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. She came to power in 2022 as leader of the far-right Fratelli d'Italia party. Wilkinson said things have worked out just fine.

The Globe and Mail reported on his remarks. Canada and the European Union committed at a recent summit in Montreal to a closer association linking their economies, defence industries and technology sectors. That association stops short of full EU membership. Wilkinson described Europe as a market of 400 million people and the richest grouping of countries in the world.