Dear Canadians,
my friend group has been talking about this on and off, and frankly I’m sick of talking about Canadians and would rather talk to Canadians.
It’s my best estimation that Canadians would welcome closer cooperation, less reliance on the US and strong ties with the EU.
But for Federalists like me, the “ever closer union” the EU is supposed to be, should continue to improve (european institutions are far from perfect) but ultimatly become a single entity, basically a Federal Republic of Europe. And this is what, I believe, Canadians would balk at and I would not want a new EU member if they are resistant to this goal.
But there are, of course, exceptional benefits to being part of it and of becoming a single European Republic. I would not be a federalist if I did not believe that all member states would very much benefit from being just one of many federal states in this imagined European Republic. I just don’t think that Canadians are actually ready for this.
Am I wrong about that? My friends think that if I can see how much we would benefit, why wouldn’t you? Would you give up the Canadian Dollar, some sovereignity and the ultimate say about what happens to Canada to have an equal, representative and fair place at the table of a transpolar political entity. I mean… the canadian population is half that of Germany, Canada would be in fifth place in terms of voting power in that Union.
Personally I think it’s a nice talking point to shock USians and it’s a nice point to make a warm and fuzzy atmosphere in the room when Canada and the EU hammer out agreements to benefit both of us (middle powers etc.), but I do not think it’s in any way realistic. What do you think?
Love from a German 🇪🇺❤️🇨🇦
Edit:
Wow, this got a lot of responses and I’m sorry I cannot respond to all of you. So let me just say this:
I feel honored by you all taking the time to respond and I’m picking up that there is a deep well of mutual affection and respect between the EU and Canada, which is lovely.
Having read all of your comments, I remain convinced that full formal membership would not really be the right relationship for both sides. But there is definitely a strong, mutual wish for very close cooperation based on common values and respect as partners. I think both Canada and the EU are really fed up with being treated as imperial vassal states by the US and can help each other strengthen our positions as middle-powers through various cooperation agreements while keeping canadian sovereignty intact.
Thank you all so very much for sharing your thoughts on this. ❤️
While true EU membership would likely be impossible to achieve in any meaningful way, I think the idea of a much more tightly integrated relationship with Europe is very much something most Canadians do support, even with some logistical challenges. People underestimate how much we share in common with our European cousins. A lot of us still keep in touch with family back in Europe, still follow the news of the day, and indulge in entertainment from the old country, to a much higher degree than Americans ever did. I think our values align much better with Europe than with the US in recent memory and I think we’d be willing to adapt a lot more for Europe than the Yanks.