To join EU, a country needs to comply with several conditions. The conditions for economical and political stability are OK, I assume. But Canada would need to adapt to EU laws. How big is the gap between the laws in Canada and what EU requires?

Is it anything that stops EU and Canada from agreeing on free trade, open borders etc. even if Canada is not a part of EU? That would be weaker since one side can elect a weirdo and suddenly stop all agreements but it could be faster to implement and Canada could join later.