Why Canada Should Join the EU • Hacker News Board

Re: Why Canada Should Join the EU

#51

Post by icegreentea2 » Fri, Jan 03, 2025, 10:14 PM UTC

This is hardly a serious analysis, and the author knows it.

No European would seriously consider the reduction of population density that comes from admitting Canada to be a meaningful improvement to the EU. Canadian energy resources would definitely be welcome, but that's hardly enough of a reason to extend membership, especially since a trans-Atlantic power cable (which would be needed to get the most out of Canada's hydro) would be a beast of an engineering challenge itself.

Tighter EU-Canada integration is a much more important and achievable goal, as the article points out in the final paragraph.

Re: Why Canada Should Join the EU

#52

Post by _7acn » Fri, Jan 03, 2025, 10:15 PM UTC

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 European Union means a complete loss of sovereignty.

Re: Why Canada Should Join the EU

#53

Post by iknowstuff » Fri, Jan 03, 2025, 10:15 PM UTC

cs02rm0 wrote: 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.

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

The four freedoms of the single market you get in return are incredible.

Re: Why Canada Should Join the EU

#54

Post by gmueckl » Fri, Jan 03, 2025, 10:15 PM UTC

haunter wrote: post #19

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

The rejection was expected. The EU and its associated organizations are only open to countries on the European continent by their current rules. Canada would have to broker a hell of a deal to get even partially in. EFTA membership might be a possible goal.

Re: Why Canada Should Join the EU

#55

Post by mcny » Fri, Jan 03, 2025, 10:15 PM UTC

I've argued in the past that Australia should join the European Union and gotten laughed at in my face. :/

Re: Why Canada Should Join the EU

#56

Post by mugivarra69 » Fri, Jan 03, 2025, 10:16 PM UTC

[flagged]

Re: Why Canada Should Join the EU

#57

Post by zizee » Fri, Jan 03, 2025, 10:16 PM UTC

aronikun wrote: post #40

Canada should join the [commonwealth]( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commonwealth_of_Nations ), then I can go work there :) Then in its best interest, it should immediately leave the commonwealth.

It is in the Commonwealth?

Re: Why Canada Should Join the EU

#58

Post by postepowanieadm » Fri, Jan 03, 2025, 10:16 PM UTC

It's a very nice idea, but to join the EU, you have to be in Europe. https://www.europarl.europa.eu/factsheets/en/sheet/167/the-e...

Re: Why Canada Should Join the EU

#59

Post by dblohm7 » Fri, Jan 03, 2025, 10:16 PM UTC

fidotron wrote: post #31

Canada has less free trade between provinces than the EU does between countries. The two are not compatible.

This is true, but I'd love to see something happen to force Canadian provinces's hands to improve this.

To dream the impossible dream...

Re: Why Canada Should Join the EU

#60

Post by make3 » Fri, Jan 03, 2025, 10:17 PM UTC

cs02rm0 wrote: 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.

This is never passing.

Trump-inspired conservatives are on their ways to be guaranteed majority at the next federal elections.