That is a different story, but the only reason Carney and the Liberals are in power is because of the support from the leftist NDP. The 'Associate Membership' has to do with Trade (got nothing to do with store openings, which in the EU states are handled by the individial countries differently). The Associate Membership initself would be a good idea and has the added bonus of getting Trump pissed off. But such ideas had been 'stolen' from the Conservatives. Problem with this is, that Energy Trade would (initially) not work very well, because of pipeline and shipping capacity problems, since most pipelines are going to the USA and Western Ports toward Asia. There isn't even enough pipeline for gas and oil for local Canadian consumption in Eastern Canada, let alone for export to Europe. FYI, I lived over 40 years in Canada and worked in the Transportation Industry in Alberta. I am fully familiar with the politics involved.