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Why Canada Should Join the EU

economist.com

151–160 of 823 posts

Re: Why Canada Should Join the EU

#151
post #8

> Europeans could learn from Canada how to allow immigration in a fashion that the population embraces rather than tolerates Clearly the author is ignorant. Canadians are sick of immigration. Young Canadians doubly so. Racism is becoming more acceptable by the day.

> Young Canadians doubly so

Similar situation in Australia and US. And most of it misplaced.

One major issue is trying to buy a first home where the blame goes towards immigrants. Instead of towards older generations where the problem really lies. They apply political power across multiple levels of government to affect everything from planning, taxation, inheritance which systemically prevent young people getting into the market.

Likewise upwards mobility and income inequality gets blamed on immigrants instead of the wealthy.

Re: Why Canada Should Join the EU

#152
post #10
post #8

> Europeans could learn from Canada how to allow immigration in a fashion that the population embraces rather than tolerates Clearly the author is ignorant. Canadians are sick of immigration. Young Canadians doubly so. Racism is becoming more acceptable by the day.

[flagged]

Who’s Justine?

Re: Why Canada Should Join the EU

#153
post #104

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Re: Cyprus, the rule may be being on the same tectonic plate, which AFAICT, Cyprus is (the Eurasian plate).

Canada directly borders France (St. Pierre et Miquelon) so if we ignore dragging in the geologists, that's as good an argument as any.

So that would also include Dominica, which is also directly bordering France (Martinique).

The French and their globally disconnected departments ...

Re: Why Canada Should Join the EU

#154
post #102
post #19

Not outlandish, Morocco applied in 1987 but it was rejected https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morocco%E2%80%93European_Union...

It’s pretty outlandish. One of the core tenants of EU expansionism and the politics around it is that the applying nations are considered European enough and physically located in Europe in addition to being willing to cooperate with the EU in meeting the general requirements of a member nation. But just because you’re at least partly in Europe isn’t enough in some cases depending on who you are, and this was used in…

Greenland has the option to join the EU. French Guiana is in south America and is part of the EU. Both of these territories are parts of existing EU member nations. I guess with brexit it won't help Canada to claim they are a British territory :)

In either case, if a well functioning oil producing nation wanted to join the EU, I think we should accept them.

In fact I think we should accept any wealthy democratic country with strong institutions, free press, etc.

I would wager that the issue with Marroco and in particular Turkey is more the lack of human rights, death penalty, corruption, weak democracy, unwillingness to acknowledge historic genocides, etc.

If anything, I don't think people want another Hungary in the EU. That said, eastern Europe was probably a project the EU had to undertake.

Re: Why Canada Should Join the EU

#155
post #146
post #8

> Europeans could learn from Canada how to allow immigration in a fashion that the population embraces rather than tolerates Clearly the author is ignorant. Canadians are sick of immigration. Young Canadians doubly so. Racism is becoming more acceptable by the day.

But is it really immigration or “immigration” like the kind that populist parties vilify for engagement? Here in Europe, it’s mostly “immigration”.

We can't read your mind with whatever your quotes are supposed to mean.

Re: Why Canada Should Join the EU

#156

Canada needs people? I thought the recent controversy is all about Canada having too many people and the pro immigration government also taking a more tempered immigration stance?

Canada has a population of 40 million in a land area larger than the USA. That's hardly "too many people". Too many people in a handful of dense urban centers maybe, but overall the country is basically empty.

Re: Why Canada Should Join the EU

#157
post #68
post #52

As someone who has lived in the EU for over 20 years, I can say that the Schengen Area is a fantastic thing, whereas the EU itself is a disaster. Civilized countries should join the Schengen Area but avoid joining the European Union (these are two separate things). They should take an example from Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein - countries that are part of Schengen but not in the EU. Joining the Euro…

Factually, the claim of complete loss of sovereignty is just dead wrong. This list details the division of responsibilities between the EU and member states: https://commission.europa.eu/about/role/law/areas-eu-action_... This shows how narrow the responsibilities of the EU actually are.

Strictly speaking, you're correct, but practically speaking, I believe not so much.

For example, France lost a key advantage ("competition rules") with nuclear energy essentially because it was considered unfair to other countries. But energetic independence is fundamental in part to economical independence: it's a key aspect of sovereignty.

Another example would be the Euro ("monetary policy"):

> Give me control over a nation’s currency, and I care not who makes its laws.

Or, the fact that external laws (from the UE) can be applied to member countries without approval from the people is IMO another rather clear form of loss of sovereignty: a considerable amount (~20% for France IIRC) of legislation is imposed by external, un-elected bodies.

Re: Why Canada Should Join the EU

#158
With Trump already threatening Canada without this ridiculous plan, no thanks.

> The Monroe Doctrine is a United States foreign policy position that opposes European colonialism in the Western Hemisphere. It holds that any intervention in the political affairs of the Americas by foreign powers is a potentially hostile act against the United States. The doctrine was central to American grand strategy in the 20th century.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monroe_Doctrine

Re: Why Canada Should Join the EU

#159

Canada should join the European Free Trade Association instead of the EU! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Free_Trade_Associatio...

FWIW Canada does have a comprehensive free trade agreement with the EU: CETA.

I am continually amazed at how many of my fellow Canadians are unaware of CETA.

I buy ski equipment from European online retailers for cheaper than from the US because no tariffs on it. It arrives here faster, and with better customer service, too.

Re: Why Canada Should Join the EU

#160
post #20

Wacky idea. The EU is an awful lot of legislation to sign up to, not the most popular it's even been either. If it's just about trading space and resources for people I'd imagine a more bespoke arrangement would be preferable for both sides.

Despite the critics, many countries have signed up and would like to, and only one has left. Why is EU membership so much in demand?
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