Canada joining Europe?

I think Canada should not join the European Union because it will only cause Canada to one day lose our identity to it. I believe that the European Union will fail one day because one country will want to rule all the members, causing wars and divisions, bringing an end to the European Union. Why don't Canada just stay good friends and trading partners with Europe and the United States while keeping and strengthening our sovereignty.

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Because that just isn't reality we are being squeezed out and we get to choose between a rock or a hard place. Things keep going the way they are with no changes, and let's forgo that NAFTA plus (free trade with Latin America) is up next year, then Canada will be economically annexed by the US. Now if we sit on our hands we will be the next Puerto Rico, we still can determine an alternate destiny but we have to do it now while we have a country left and yes we can choose to stay a strong and independent Canada but we would have to abrogate our trade packs and there is no politically will for that.

Sitting on our hands is much safer than actually doing something. Ask our politicians..............It seems that, no matter what the majority of Canadians would like, these wants or needs meet the black hole we call Ottawa. And if these wants and needs happen to coincide with the ruling party's agenda, it is entirely coincidental.--- RickW

It really comes down to that rock and a hard place that Scape mentioned. Canada should be able to keep its own currency, but if there is a push to adopt somebody elses, we'd be far better off with the Euro than the US dollar. At least a diversity of voices go into monetary policy as it affects the Euro, the US will do what is best for them and consider nobody else.

The same applies when push comes to shove with trade deals. The EU is multilateral by nature. The US is unilateral by nature. We stand a much better chance of being dealt with fairly by the EU.

That doesn't mean that the EU deals fairly though. Ag subsidies are a great example of that...they are as bad as or worse than the US.

All of these arguments are great and shows we are thinking, the one message that seems to run through them all though, is that we must concede to somebody because our politicians are not listening to us. So we are left with all negative choices, which seems rather hopeless. Shouldn't we put on that optimistic attitude which we all have from time to time, and think of ways to actually force politicians to listen. That would solve all of the problems. Real democracy.

I have been wondering why speaking about politics is still considered such a dirty topic. If we could change the attitude to help people to understand that politics is our life, we can't have a country run in any other way than politically and so therefore if we want a better country we are going to have to start talking about the issues, and not just on exclusive sites like vive.

Perhaps many will think I am a dreamer, but real change historically speaking came from dreamers. You have to know what you want, set a plan and then orchestrate the steps to get to where you want to go. I think we all know the dream, so now we have to start the plan, and then start making those steps. Any other dreamers?

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Hasn't our Canadian identity been born of Europe? Has Canada had a war of independence since I left? My hometown was founded by Loyalists... Recognition of our European roots is quintessentially Canadian or we'd already have a president's head on our toonies…

Yes, but we're not Europeans IMO. We're a little bit better adjusted in some ways--very little ethnic terrorism. The French-Canadians told France they weren't French, they Canadians. Canada was also predicted to become "Greater than England." Europe is good, we can do even better with our resources.

Also, someone mentioned keeping our currency. Well, I think the entire point of the E.U. is the "free-flow of goods, money and people," so I don't see how we could if we joined. We COULD push for changes to the legislation which could be popular overseas, but that would be hard.

There were many and varying reasons why European settlers came to Canada way back when. They wanted to start again as Canadians - not join back up down the road.

More fair trade with the EU - fine. Join them - no thanks.

Speaking about politics is not considered a dirty topic. Otherwise Jon Stewart's Daily show would not be such a hit. Letterman got his biggest ratings jump when he had Clinton on and we have the Air Farce and this Hour has 22 minutes and Rick Mercer's Monday Report. Clearly you are right that there is a stigma to politics in general and in Canada we still suffer from the political aloofness however in the States that wind has defiantly changed since 9/11 and as the war on terror drags on it will change here to as politics is easy to ignore as long as your not in fear of being drafted. In the US two bills, HR.163 and S.89 are trying make joining the military a requirement and this has gotten the subconscious attention of anyone between the ages 18-26. If we lose our control over our foreign policy a draft will follow suit here and we will be in the same boat fighting a war we had no hand in. Humor is a tool that makes somewhat esoteric ideas like politics easier to grasp and with the growth of political humor is a sure sign of a broader political conscious.

"Greater than England" came too late for me. I had to leave Canada to find a job after I finished university --and I tried hard, really hard to get a job in C. Ironically I found one abroad (in England). And so did many of my friends, whether in the EU or the US. (But it's no surprise to me, that phenomena of Canadian "brain drain" that costs the tax payer huge bucks --- our being predisposed to getting up and moving country is the legacy of our hungry immigrant blood. The best people arrived that way - and they'll leave that way too. A trade deal that doesn't include freedom of movement will not redress that imbalance. )

I guess the declining birth rate means fewer immigrants and emmigrants, but yeah I guess many of Europe's problems at the end of W.W. II have been solved or improved, so perhaps Europe isn't worth leaving in many cases.

Well, I think we have many of the best staying in certain areas, but I guess we've never really made ourselves independent enough to develop the country's full potential, not even close.....I am curious however about what you think we could do solve the problem of underemployment, a problem just a large in Canada as unemployment IMO.....I guess being more independent would be necessary for starters.....

It's time to politely withdraw from NAFTA and join the EU! We are more of a Euro minded nation anyway. We take care of our own and are proud of our diversity. Our social policies and progressive ideals are more in line with our European brothers and sisters. The EU constition is one step towards a United World Government which I wholy and completely support. Our goods would be welcomed by the EU and I would rather have the Euro as the coin of the realm than the US dollar which I fear may come to pass in the near future. We are not americans, we just share the same rock and soil. I hope the politicians put forth the idea of joining the EU. They have my vote of a resounding Yes!

I think Canada joining the EU is a great Idea. If we do nothing we will slowely be absorbed by the US. Soon the value of the over inflated US $ will drop with their lack of natural resourses. Their only chance of survivel is to be management of other countries natural resourses at the cost of others. We need the EU for our independence from the US who thinks they own us.