Should Canada join the European Union?

[B00Mer]

Should Canada join the European Union?

Before you discount this as a crazy idea I'll point out Cyprus a current Union member isn't geographically a European Country but an Asian one but could join because of :

"its extensive historical, cultural, and political ties to other European countries lead many to consider it as a European country in non-geographical contexts" according to the European Union.

Canada easily passes all the criteria to join the European Union apart from the Geographical one, something Turkey does not do with it's human rights record which along with it's large population 80 million are reasons it's finding it hard to join the European Union.

Canada could be considered culturally connected to Europe and therefore could join.That and there are both English speaking ( Ireland and the United Kingdom ) and French speaking ( well France ) countries in the European Union.

Canada is currently treated as a junior partner by the United States, in nearly every trade and political agreement made with the US. Why not be treated as an equal in the European Union? This would greatly increase Canada's negotiating power in the World, forcing the US to treat Canada as an equal partner.

Since as early as January 2007, Quebec Premier Jean Charest and 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, allowing for free movement of workers between the two areas. In early 2008, Premier Charest loudly advocated for such an agreement during a trip to Europe and asked the federal government to start selling its benefits in Europe.

It would also ease Canada's dependency on the sagging U.S. economy, as trade with the European Union increases.

The European Union has surpassed the United States as the worlds biggest economy since 2005, if Canada could tap this market the benefits could be immense.

If Canada going to have such an extensive trade deal with the European Union, why not just join the European Union and be able to effect their laws directly?

What do you think?

Also: French Guiana is part of the European Union and that borders Brazil. I don't think the Geographical distance is that big a deal.

 

[L Gilbert]

I'd be impressed if people got rid of the entire idea of countries altogether.

 

[B00Mer]

I'd be impressed if people got rid of the entire idea of countries altogether.

1 world government.. never happen in our life time.. maybe 200 years from now.

 

[Dexter Sinister]

Better to make separate deals with the EU as a whole or the individual member nations, don't want to risk being on the hook for bailing out the weak sisters like Greece and Portugal for multiple billions of euros.

 

[L Gilbert]

1 world government.. never happen in our life time.. maybe 200 years from now.

I never said anything about a world gov't. If we didn't have such things as countries, wtf would we need anything except local gov'ts for?
If we could each develop our own religion and dump the organized ones it'd be helpful, too.
Anyway, I know it's a bit idealistic, but one can always dream.

 

[captain morgan]

I have no idea why Canada would want to jump on that sinking ship.

 

[taxslave]

You want to pay for the entitlements of all those freeloaders in Greece, Spain, Portugal ? Making trade deals is one thing, being forced to bail out all the deadbeats is another.

 

[darkbeaver]

SCO is the way to go.

Negotiations wouldn't be in the development stage before the EU was a flaming wreck, the papers seem to say.

There would be some traditional interest to closer ties however, that have in the past proved good trade. Soldiers, nice young people who look good in uniforms and believe Canada has to save Europe from Europeans again.

 

[captain morgan]

You want to pay for the entitlements of all those freeloaders in Greece, Spain, Portugal ? Making trade deals is one thing, being forced to bail out all the deadbeats is another.

No doubt... Canada would be an immediate ATM for the EU.

... Then again, maybe there is some merit in engaging private talks with Germany on the issue... Merkel doesn't seem to like the idea of having to dole out allowance to all the adolescent nations in her group

 

[darkbeaver]

No doubt... Canada would be an immediate ATM for the EU.

... Then again, maybe there is some merit in engaging private talks with Germany on the issue... Merkel doesn't seem to like the idea of having to dole out allowance to all the adolescent nations in her group

Our best move would be to remain the ATM of the USA, at least until they are exhausted. There's SPP agreements in there somewhere.

Our best move would be to remain the ATM of the USA, at least until they are exhausted. There's SPP agreements in there somewhere.

And the TPP, why don't we just stay home, we can't join them all unless we are one?

 

[wulfie68]

I can see benefit in making trade agreements with the EU, but as for joining it? No, it won't happen. The protectionist interests in Canada hate the perceived undermining of national sovereignty that the free trade agreements lead to, never mind the actual loss of control and sovereignty that joining the the Eu would result in.

 

[Retired_Can_Soldier]

Oh yes, the European Union sign me up. That way I can have my tax dollars carry welfare bums like Cyprus, Greece and any other lazy slug in the region who looking for free lunch.

 

[darkbeaver]

I can see benefit in making trade agreements with the EU, but as for joining it? No, it won't happen. The protectionist interests in Canada hate the perceived undermining of national sovereignty that the free trade agreements lead to, never mind the actual loss of control and sovereignty that joining the the Eu would result in.

Free trade leads to job export wouldn't that be real undermining? Protecting jobs is economically sound protectionism.

Oh yes, the European Union sign me up. That way I can have my tax dollars carry welfare bums like Cyprus, Greece and any other lazy slug in the region who looking for free lunch.

You forgot to mention EU central banks the planets second biggest welfare bums, they get lunch first.

 

[Retired_Can_Soldier]

You forgot to mention EU central banks the planets second biggest welfare bums, they get lunch first.

Yes thanks...

 

[Mowich]

Better to make separate deals with the EU as a whole or the individual member nations, don't want to risk being on the hook for bailing out the weak sisters like Greece and Portugal for multiple billions of euros.

My sentiments ........exactly. Trade with them, fine. Join them..........no way!

 

[Machjo]

I can't vote on that poll. How about a less emphatic and simple 'maybe'. The devil's in the details of course.

 

[Trex]

No.
No upside for Canada.

We would be better off joining up with the Americans.
At least there would be a few monetary benefits.

 

[Blackleaf]

Canada should not join the EU. There's a reason why it's called the EUROPEAN Union.

Even some European countries don't want to be in it.

So I've voted Hell No!!

 

[JLM]

NO!!

 

[darkbeaver]

No.
No upside for Canada.

We would be better off joining up with the Americans.
At least there would be a few monetary benefits.

Of course you have been out of the country and have not read the papers in some time otherwise you would have a different opinion of monetary bliss with a bankrupt dissolving nation.


FLASHBACK - Obama Serves 14-State Governors With Warnings of Arrest: And why is this not front page news?


Barack Hussein Obama had served 14-State Governors in the United States, National Security Letters (NSLs) warning that the Governor’s actions in attempting to form “State Defense Forces” needs to be halted “immediately” or they will face arrest for the crime of treason. The employment of NSLs was authorized by the Patriot Act introduced by George W. Bush. Contained within the section related to these letters, it is forbidden for anyone receiving a NSL warning to even acknowledge the existence of said communication.