Von der Leyen opposes Canada's special membership in the European Union The head of the European Commission at the summit in Montreal again proposed to make Canada a "partner member" of the European Union, despite the opposition of the German chancellor and several European leaders. Due to disagreements, this term was previously removed from the yeshiva's final announcement. But von der Leyen continued to promote her idea, saying the rapprochement with Canada enjoys broad support among EU countries and members of the European Parliament.