Why Canadians are ready for closer ties with Europe

Alex Nash, from Montreal, said closer ties would clear away the obstacles of work visas and permits.

“It would certainly be really nice for that to be easier, more convenient and to be able to visit more easily,” she said.

Canadian social media has lit up with the topic.

One person on a Facebook group, A Canadian Outlook, said they would love the opportunity for their grandchildren to study at European universities for better rates. Another woman said it would make it much easier for the home she already owns in France.

“Snow birds are going to love it,” another person said, referring to Canadians who head to warmer locations for winter.

The sentiments hint at dissatisfaction in Canada over bilateral tensions with the US.

Growing up in Canada, David Jardine thought of the US as not just a neighbour, but an epicentre of culture and cool.

“I remember wanting to go and visit New York all the time,” he told the BBC after finishing his overnight shift, not far from one of Toronto’s most iconic buildings, the CN tower.

But he’s become a lot more sceptical in the light of US President Donald Trump’s trade war with Canada and rhetoric about annexation.

“I would say I think not only does it make more sense to associate closely with Europe, it’s a place that I would rather be associating with given the way things are these days,” he said.