Why Canadians are ready for closer ties with Europe

Figure caption, Watch: 'A better opportunity' - Canadians on a closer alliance with EuropeMiriam Levin-Gold likes Prime Minister Mark Carney's idea of Canadians being able to live and work in the European Union under proposed closer ties with the trade bloc."I think that's great for young people to explore different parts of the world and work in different places and have different experiences," the commuter told the BBC in Toronto.Canadians woke up to news of Carney's speech to the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Thursday morning, welcoming the EU's ambition for Canada to become its first "associate member" as he urged closer co-operation on defence and energy."We should deepen our people-to-people ties, allowing our youth to live, work and study where they want on either side of the Atlantic," the PM said.Carney told MEPs that Canada and Europe were "stronger together" in the face of "geopolitical rupture".But before Canadians start packing their bags, "associate member" status does not currently exist within the EU and could take years to implement, given that all 27 EU member states would have to approve such an arrangement.Nevertheless, people the BBC spoke to were excite...