Should Canada become a member of the EU?
Congio @ Tue Feb 26, 2008 1:38 am
Should Canada become a member of the EU?
$1:
Thursday, June 29, 2006
If Greenland, why not Canada?
Timothy Garton Ash has an amusing column in the Guardian titled "I've found a perfect new member for the EU. If only it were in Europe." It's all about a favourite fantasy of mine, Canada joining the EU.
In fact, why doesn't the European Union invite Canada to join at once? In most respects it would be a much easier fit than Ukraine, let alone Turkey. It effortlessly meets the EU's so-called Copenhagen criteria for membership, including democratic government, the rule of law, a well-regulated market economy and respect for minority rights (Canada's a world-leader on that). Canada is rich, so would be a much-needed net contributor to the European budget at a time when the EU has been taking in lots of poorer states. One of Europe's besetting weaknesses is disagreement between the British and the French, but on this the two historic rivals would instantly agree. English-speaking Canada would strengthen the Anglophone group in the EU, Quebec the Francophone.
Riiight. Because if there's one thing Canada's linguistic division has created, it's consensus and unity. Mr. Ash, there's a bridge I'd like to sell you...
Ash's column is not entirely complementary, but it is extremely thought provoking, and you should read the whole thing.
(http://www.guardian.co.uk/print/0,,3295 ... 90,00.html)
There's even stuff there for Americans.
If Greenland, why not Canada?
Timothy Garton Ash has an amusing column in the Guardian titled "I've found a perfect new member for the EU. If only it were in Europe." It's all about a favourite fantasy of mine, Canada joining the EU.
In fact, why doesn't the European Union invite Canada to join at once? In most respects it would be a much easier fit than Ukraine, let alone Turkey. It effortlessly meets the EU's so-called Copenhagen criteria for membership, including democratic government, the rule of law, a well-regulated market economy and respect for minority rights (Canada's a world-leader on that). Canada is rich, so would be a much-needed net contributor to the European budget at a time when the EU has been taking in lots of poorer states. One of Europe's besetting weaknesses is disagreement between the British and the French, but on this the two historic rivals would instantly agree. English-speaking Canada would strengthen the Anglophone group in the EU, Quebec the Francophone.
Riiight. Because if there's one thing Canada's linguistic division has created, it's consensus and unity. Mr. Ash, there's a bridge I'd like to sell you...
Ash's column is not entirely complementary, but it is extremely thought provoking, and you should read the whole thing.
(http://www.guardian.co.uk/print/0,,3295 ... 90,00.html)
There's even stuff there for Americans.
You can find this here: http://dymaxionworld.blogspot.com/2006/ ... anada.html
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So what do you say? Canada is culturally European...
sandorski @ Tue Feb 26, 2008 3:24 am
If it was just Free Trade, I'd be all for it. Unfortunately it's a lot more than that and I don't think it's in our best interest to surrender that much control to a distant Power.
The EU is a good idea, but just for Europe.
ShepherdsDog @ Tue Feb 26, 2008 4:15 am
last time I checked Canada was on the North American continent. Has Donny Braschole had his wish granted, and you guys have moved to Europe since I was home last?
Congio @ Tue Feb 26, 2008 4:38 am
Well, French Guyana is in South America and it is in the EU. Martinique and Réunion also are.
It's not the geography that decides, it's the culture. Canada and the EU share a common heritage. Both founders of Canada are in the EU (France and Great Britain). Many Canadians have European ancestry (German, Polish, Ukrainian, Scandinavian, Italian etc.), and those who don't speak every day a European language: French or English.
While being part of the EU we definitely wouldn't be considered USA north.
Hey, I'm not saying that Canada must join. I'm saying it is an option worth considering.
ShepherdsDog @ Tue Feb 26, 2008 5:21 am
French Guinea is part of the EU only because it is not an independent nation but a département d'outre-mer, similar to British Crown dependencies and over seas territories like Bermuda and prior to 1997, Hong Kong. F.G is part of the EU only because France is. This is the case for the other areas you mentioned. Canada doesn't qualify because a little thing happened in 1867 when we were granted Dominion staus. It's an organization based on geography, which is why so many are against the incorporation of Turkey.
Congio @ Tue Feb 26, 2008 7:33 am
Yes, I know they are part of France.
But, you are wrong by saying people don't want Turkey in the EU cause it is not in Europe. The don't want it cause it is Islamic. They have different values than most of Europe.
Canada shares a lot, or even all its values with Europe.
So tell me, why did Canada and the USA join NATO? In you way of thinking the two countries should have made their own military alliance? Why are they in an trans Atlantic alliance?
Canada indeed is independent, and joining the EU wouldn't make Canada lose independence.
Anyway, you are using the argument NO because geography. As I said, geography doesn't count, culture does. Cyprus is in Asia and it is in the EU... Wonder why? Culture!
kenmore @ Tue Feb 26, 2008 7:40 am
There are lots of reasons why not.. but the one I consider an issue is the movement of people from one counrty to the other.. In Europe you can live and work in any EU country.. this is causing problems.. esp in Northern Ireland where they have seen a major influx of people.. their economy is improving but the impact of immigration causes housing and employment problems as well as major political one.. I do not favour an North America union either...
Bacardi4206 @ Tue Feb 26, 2008 7:47 am
That is correct, geography doesn't count in this but I would seriously question our indipendance if we joined. Also there would be issues with it as well as kenmore stated. Not to mention that countries have to pay the EU money, so the EU Police that has jerisdiction in every EU country can be payed. Just more money out of the tax payers pockets.
ShepherdsDog @ Tue Feb 26, 2008 8:23 am
Congio Congio:
Yes, I know they are part of France.
But, you are wrong by saying people don't want Turkey in the EU cause it is not in Europe. The don't want it cause it is Islamic. They have different values than most of Europe.
Canada shares a lot, or even all its values with Europe.
So tell me, why did Canada and the USA join NATO? In you way of thinking the two countries should have made their own military alliance? Why are they in an trans Atlantic alliance?
Canada indeed is independent, and joining the EU wouldn't make Canada lose independence.
Anyway, you are using the argument NO because geography. As I said, geography doesn't count, culture does. Cyprus is in Asia and it is in the EU... Wonder why? Culture!
But, you are wrong by saying people don't want Turkey in the EU cause it is not in Europe. The don't want it cause it is Islamic. They have different values than most of Europe.
Canada shares a lot, or even all its values with Europe.
So tell me, why did Canada and the USA join NATO? In you way of thinking the two countries should have made their own military alliance? Why are they in an trans Atlantic alliance?
Canada indeed is independent, and joining the EU wouldn't make Canada lose independence.
Anyway, you are using the argument NO because geography. As I said, geography doesn't count, culture does. Cyprus is in Asia and it is in the EU... Wonder why? Culture!
Canada and the US formed NATO with France to ensure that Russia and her communist allies didn't overwhelm Europe. It has always been British poloicy to ensure that one power didn't dominate all of Europe. NATO was also there to ensure that Europe's favourite game wasn't played for awhile.
Two generations of North Americans fought in European wars because they hadn't learned how to get along. NATO was away to ensure another war scrum didn't breakout any time soon. The EU is also another way to esure that political and economic rivalry didn't break out between European nations. Bind the economies and governments so tightly together that war would be unthinkable.
We have our own loose set up in the Americas. Why should we want to join the EU, which subverts national governments that are members?
Brenda @ Tue Feb 26, 2008 8:28 am
NO! Holy crap, how can someone ask a stupid question like that.
If you do, you will get weird rules you cannot even dream of now, you pay A LOT, and you gain nothing. You will have to let Eastern European people in, because everybody in the EU can work wherever they want, no visa necessary.
You will lose your currency, and your independence. Canada will be ruled by Brussels.
NO! Fuck, if that will seriously be considered, I have to find another country to live in 
sasquatch2 @ Tue Feb 26, 2008 9:04 am
Brenda
$1:
NO! Holy crap, how can someone ask a stupid question like that.
If you do, you will get weird rules you cannot even dream of now, you pay A LOT, and you gain nothing. You will have to let Eastern European people in, because everybody in the EU can work wherever they want, no visa necessary.
You will lose your currency, and your independence. Canada will be ruled by Brussels.
NO! Fuck, if that will seriously be considered, I have to find another country to live in
If you do, you will get weird rules you cannot even dream of now, you pay A LOT, and you gain nothing. You will have to let Eastern European people in, because everybody in the EU can work wherever they want, no visa necessary.
You will lose your currency, and your independence. Canada will be ruled by Brussels.
NO! Fuck, if that will seriously be considered, I have to find another country to live in
You and me both!
Greenland is technically part of Denmark, and by default was part of the EU. The citizens of Greenland enjoy a measure of autonomy from Denmark and firmly exercised it with a referendum and withdrew Greenland from the EU.
There is a lesson there.
Faroes opted out too
The Faroes didn't start but Greenland tried it and left.
BartSimpson @ Tue Feb 26, 2008 9:12 am
sandorski sandorski:
If it was just Free Trade, I'd be all for it. Unfortunately it's a lot more than that and I don't think it's in our best interest to surrender that much control to a distant Power.
The EU is a good idea, but just for Europe.
The EU is a good idea, but just for Europe.
We agree again.
Not only would it be utterly stupid to surrender Canadian control of Canada's economy to Brussels, you people would essentially be making yourselves a colony of Europe again. Do you really think the French, British, and Germans will sit idly by while you have all that oil in Alberta?
Add to that you'll have to adopt (and subsidize) the Euro.
BartSimpson @ Tue Feb 26, 2008 9:19 am
shadowsosweet shadowsosweet:
Why should Americans be paying less for Canadian oil products than Canadian are?
We don't pay more for the oil than you or anyone else does. We pay the spot price on the world market same as anyone else.
The difference in the price at the pump is all in taxes.
We pay less taxes than you do on our petrol.
That's a matter for you to take up with Ottawa and not blame on us, thank you.
MacDonaill @ Tue Feb 26, 2008 9:44 am
Screw that. I like the EU to a point, but Canada needs to protect its independence. I would enjoy free trade, I would enjoy even more a greater partnership with the big 4 Commonwealth Realms (Oz, UK, Canada, and NZ). With France as well, because I have the feeling that French in Canada and Standard French move further and further away all the time, and if French is really going to survive in Canada, then our Francophone communities (Quebec, basically) need a lot more cultural exchange with France.