Why Canada Should Join the EU • Hacker News Board

Re: Why Canada Should Join the EU

#71

Post by cmrdporcupine » Fri, Jan 03, 2025, 10:23 PM UTC

fidotron wrote: post #31

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

The weird trade things between the provinces are more to do with special exceptions and regulations around alcohol, trades regulation, etc. than the kind of tariff-oriented things people are talking usually with "free trade". They're a product of the fact that Canada, like the US, is a highly federal system and the provinces have strong powers. In some cases, stronger than in the US system (and in other cases, not)

In any case, we already have a free trade agreement with the EU. In some respects for some products its better than what we have with the US.

Re: Why Canada Should Join the EU

#72

Post by darth_avocado » Fri, Jan 03, 2025, 10:23 PM UTC

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?

Re: Why Canada Should Join the EU

#73

Post by zizee » Fri, Jan 03, 2025, 10:23 PM UTC

What are the benefits that cannot be obtained by signing trade agreements?

Canada is already part of NATO for defence, so joining the EU does nothing for defence.

Does Canada want freedom of movement of EU citizens into Canada? They already have a housing crisis.

Greece's experience shows a single currency isn't really beneficial to all members of the EU, so Canada would be crazy to give that up.

Re: Why Canada Should Join the EU

#74

Post by wesselbindt » Fri, Jan 03, 2025, 10:23 PM UTC

aborsy wrote: post #66

Canada will do much better joining US (and distancing itself from declining EU and its disastrous policies). The US is much better managed; the results speak for themselves.

I truly cannot tell whether you're joking. If you're not, I'd love to pick your brain. I'm very interested in what standards you have and why you have them.

Re: Why Canada Should Join the EU

#75

Post by ceejayoz » Fri, Jan 03, 2025, 10:24 PM UTC

gjsman-1000 wrote: post #29

fabiofzero wrote: post #26

[flagged]

Bigger problem is that Russia and China would hate it.

Problem?

Re: Why Canada Should Join the EU

#76

Post by PaulDavisThe1st » Fri, Jan 03, 2025, 10:24 PM UTC

iknowstuff wrote: post #53

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.

Only the free movement of labor is really unusual. As in ... really, really, really unusual. Lots of trade deals include variations of the first 3 ... free movement of labor is basically unheard of between nation states as part of trade deals.

Re: Why Canada Should Join the EU

#77

Post by belter » Fri, Jan 03, 2025, 10:25 PM UTC

postepowanieadm wrote: post #58

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...

And the Prime Directive does not allow law changes without approval by the Imperium, so that settles it....,

Re: Why Canada Should Join the EU

#78

Post by zoenolan » Fri, Jan 03, 2025, 10:25 PM UTC

mcny wrote: post #55

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

Well, they do take part in Eurovision

Re: Why Canada Should Join the EU

#79

Post by ethbr1 » Fri, Jan 03, 2025, 10:25 PM UTC

inSenCite wrote: post #50

Canada needs to do something but I don't think joining the EU is it.

Canada-Mexico!

Re: Why Canada Should Join the EU

#80

Post by kspacewalk2 » Fri, Jan 03, 2025, 10:25 PM UTC

aborsy wrote: post #66

Canada will do much better joining US (and distancing itself from declining EU and its disastrous policies). The US is much better managed; the results speak for themselves.

Long term, maybe. Short and medium term, let's see if you guys tear yourselves apart in a civil war or some other footgun. Nothing other than internal shenanigans can possibly threaten overwhelming US hegemony, after all.