Canada also does not plan on paying a membership fee similar to other EU nations, Canadian officials have said. Instead, it is looking at participating in different EU programmes that would benefit both Canada and member states. And despite some disagreement about the wording, both have signalled they are fully on board with deepening ties. "The wording is emblematic of the ambition," said one senior Canadian official who was granted anonymity to speak to reporters at a briefing ahead of the summit. Polls show the majority of Canadians support forging closer ties to Europe, though the Conservative opposition in Canada has criticised the effort as a distraction from other issues, like the high cost of living. "No one's mortgage or grocery bill will come down," said Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre in a statement, adding that Canada already has a free trade pact with the EU.