 This was thought to be motivating factor in Canada's efforts to block the EU's efforts to join the Arctic Council.Canada has also had bilateral territorial disputes with EU member states (see Turbot War, Hans Island/Territorial claims in the Arctic and Canada–France Maritime Boundary Case).Since as early as June 2007, the Government of Canada led by Prime Minister Stephen Harper have been pressuring the EU and its member countries to negotiate a Canada-EU free trade agreement Former French prime minister Edouard Balladur has supported the idea, while former Canadian trade negotiator Michael Hart called the idea "silly."