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Canada won’t become the 51st US state – but could it join the EU? (www.theguardian.com)

submitted 1 day ago by Powderhorn@beehaw.org to c/news@beehaw.org

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Joachim Streit has never stepped foot in Canada. But that hasn’t stopped the German politician from launching a tenacious, one-man campaign that he readily describes as “aspirational”: to have the North American country join the EU.

“We have to strengthen the European Union,” said Streit, who last year was elected as a member of the European parliament. “And I think Canada – as its prime minister says – is the most European country outside of Europe.”

Streit had long imagined Canada as a sort of paradise, home to dense forests that course with wide, rushing rivers. But after Donald Trump returned to power, launching much of the world into a trade war and turning his back on America’s traditional allies, Streit began to cast the northern country in a new light.

What he saw was a relatively unexplored relationship, one that could prove mutually beneficial as the world grapples with rapidly reshaping global dynamics. “Canadians have seen their trust in the US undermined, just as we have in Europe, following President Trump’s actions,” he said. “We need to strengthen the ties that bind us to our friends.”

While I get the rationale, I can't help but think that if this currently aspirational idea actually takes hold, the net result would be the militarization of our northern border.

I can't really see Van der Leyen approving such an expansion, especially given it would bring a Commonwealth territory into the EU post-Brexit.

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[–] theacharnian@lemmy.ca 14 points 1 day ago (3 children)

Since the adoption of the Euro, the EU rules require new entrants to eventually adopt it. Exceptions like for the UK and Sweden were made at the time of the negotiations before the adoption of those rules. If Canada were to join now, we would have to adopt the euro.

[–] Powderhorn@beehaw.org 4 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

Oof. TIL. On the plus side, it's been a far more stable currency since its introduction than CAD over the same time period. Swinging wildly back and forth from USD parity -- and I'll admit I'm coming from a U.S. perspective -- can't have been a fun time. When I was living in Victoria at the turn of the century, I got CAD1.60 per dollar after ATM fees, which made everything insanely cheap, since rack rates for everything mirrored U.S. pricing.

My girlfriend and I could go out for a nice dinner with drinks for what to me was $20.

But some 15 years later (I don't remember exactly when, as when you get older, time starts to lose meaning), the Canadian dollar was actually stronger than ours.

[–] theacharnian@lemmy.ca 2 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

I'm coming from a PIGS-crisis perspective, having immigrated from a PIGS country to Canada during the euro debt crisis. The euro is too unwieldy and it's monetary policy has basically been mostly what suits the Northern European banks plus northern populism against lazy southerners to keep transfers low. In a way, the eurozone is one giant version of Italy.

I personally don't see any advantage for Canada to let go it's monetary sovereignty. We are at our core a resource and trading nation, and having control of our own levers is best.

I am absolutely for tighter integration with the EU, as I don't see any reason Canada shouldn't enjoy the things we take for granted as Europeans. Potentially in the Icelandic or Norwegian model (ultimately in the Canadian model of course), but just like as Canadians we don't need to be anyone's 51st state, we also don't need to be anyone's 28th member state.

Ps. I'm confusing "we"s above, just the pitfalls of being a dual EU-Canadian citizen.

[–] Powderhorn@beehaw.org 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

PIGS clarification? Portugal, Italy, Greece and Spain? Useless websearch term.

[–] theacharnian@lemmy.ca 1 points 1 day ago

Yes exactly

[–] HumanPenguin@feddit.uk 4 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (2 children)

Exactly. But if we are honest. Canada joining the EU with no land border even close. Would be such a huge change in how it needs to work Vs other members.

It is much more likely to negotiate an EEA like arangment. As customs etc would face huge complications with the US being their largest trading partner.

Just about everything would need to be up for debate for such a deal to be practical on Canada's part.

Just things like electrical trade would be questionable. Localisation meant almost all other members were using 220v like systems before unification. Food standards make EU / north American trade in many products complex. So either way any merge is going to be long and complex. So differences will be needed,

[–] jarfil@beehaw.org 1 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

Canada shares a border with Greenland, which is an autonomous territory of Denmark, which is part of the EU.

I know it's a stretch... but it's there 😁

An EEA agreement could be a start, then see how things go on from there. With the USA's isolationist politics, USA might no longer be a viable largest trade partner for Canada.

[–] barsoap@lemm.ee 3 points 1 day ago

On the flipside there's overseas territories which don't use the Euro, and there's been plenty of talk of a multi-speed Europe. Single market won't be negotiable, though, so there's going to be inspections at the border keeping refrigerated eggs and chlorinated chickens out.