Speculation: Implications of Canada joining the EU

[Jumptheshark]

The UK was doing much better in the EU, that's rarely even debated these days. There was no problem making it work in the EU. Their economy has flatlined since they've tried to go alone.

That is an understatement

 

[daver]

On the plus side for the EU, the term "soft euro" would go by the wayside.

 

[Voight]

I think EU is a logical step Canada should seriously consider. Canada is not really able to handle an aggressive country like the USA if they decide to damage us, especially with our currency.

it's in USA's best interest that we don't join, but it's starting to feel like we might need to do something drastic because we're gonna be in trouble in the long run if this continues.

I think most Canadians would probably agree that we're not in a good position right now and there's no easy way out of this to keep our autonomy. If we need to adopt the Euro, let's do it.

The EU has more negatives than positives IMO, Canada would be making a mistake.

But anyways, I dont wanna be the one to nuke this thread.

 

[Yukon Joe]

In correct. UK kept our pound the entire time we were in the EU

Yes - because the UK was a member of the EU when the Euro was being negotiated and was able to negotiate itself a carve-out. Same as it did on a lot of agricultural policy.

Canada, if it tried to enter the EU, would not be coming from a position of strength, and would have to accept the entire EU system, including the Euro.

 

[No Fun Shogun]

Not to get on-topic, but has anyone remotely of note associated with either Canada or the European Union remotely suggested that Canada joining the EU is an actual possibility, or is this just empty wishful thinking? Seems like little more than an opinion piece conjecture.

 

[Golden_Jet]

Not to get on-topic, but has anyone remotely of note associated with either Canada or the European Union remotely suggested that Canada joining the EU is an actual possibility, or is this just empty wishful thinking? Seems like little more than an opinion piece conjecture.

Agree it’s an opinion piece, and with no substance.

Especially when it starts out,
Europe needs space and resources and Canada needs people. Let’s deal.

​

 

[MeHateHe]

Not to get on-topic, but has anyone remotely of note associated with either Canada or the European Union remotely suggested that Canada joining the EU is an actual possibility, or is this just empty wishful thinking? Seems like little more than an opinion piece conjecture.

A former German finance minister said somewhere that that the fact that Canada isn't in Europe isn't an impediment to joining the EU.

Nach Drohungen von Trump - Früherer Bundesaußenminister Gabriel schlägt EU-Mitgliedschaft Kanadas vor

Der frühere Bundesaußenminister Gabriel hat vorgeschlagen, Kanada in die EU aufzunehmen.

www-deutschlandfunk-de.translate.goog

Here's a good explainer.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/canada-european-union-1.7446400

The EU is essentially a political body, not really a geographic one. Some folks on Bluesky were musing that because Canada and Denmark share a border on Hans Island so we are already a part of Europe.

What's more likely - and you're seeing politicians say this - is that there will be closer ties with Europe and increased trade relationships.

 

[Yukon Joe]

A former German finance minister said somewhere that that the fact that Canada isn't in Europe isn't an impediment to joining the EU.

The EU is essentially a political body, not really a geographic one. Some folks on Bluesky were musing that because Canada and Denmark share a border on Hans Island so we are already a part of Europe.

What's more likely - and you're seeing politicians say this - is that there will be closer ties with Europe and increased trade relationships.

So here's the thing: the EU is fundamentally a political body, true. There's no "law of the universe" that prevents Canada from joining the EU.

But other countries have tried to join the EU and were rejected because they weren't in Europe. Morocco was rejected outright, and Turkey (which has part of it's territory in Europe, but is mostly outside) was allowed to apply but has been in limbo ever since.

If the EU admits Canada, but rejects Morocco, it frankly makes it seem like a racist/or anti-Muslim, decision, which I don't think the EU wants to do.

There's also the question of time. AS mentioned Turkey has been a potential member for decades. Any country that was admitted took years and years. Heck - Canada signed the Canada-EU Free Trade deal in 2014 - it is STILL not fully in force yet.

Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

So even if Canada and EU decided to join, and fast-track admission, the timeline would not help us out of the current tariff mess.

 

[Voight]

A former German finance minister said somewhere that that the fact that Canada isn't in Europe isn't an impediment to joining the EU.

Nach Drohungen von Trump - Früherer Bundesaußenminister Gabriel schlägt EU-Mitgliedschaft Kanadas vor

Der frühere Bundesaußenminister Gabriel hat vorgeschlagen, Kanada in die EU aufzunehmen.

www-deutschlandfunk-de.translate.goog

Here's a good explainer.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/canada-european-union-1.7446400

The EU is essentially a political body, not really a geographic one. Some folks on Bluesky were musing that because Canada and Denmark share a border on Hans Island so we are already a part of Europe.

What's more likely - and you're seeing politicians say this - is that there will be closer ties with Europe and increased trade relationships.

The EU would have to make amendments to their laws to include a non European country, and that would require all 27 members to say yes. As Yukon Joe said, the optics wouldn't be great either.

Honestly, Canada would not benefit from joining the EU. It's not worth the loss of sovereignty especially with all the changes that would come with.

 

[MeHateHe]

But other countries have tried to join the EU and were rejected because they weren't in Europe. Morocco was rejected outright, and Turkey (which has part of it's territory in Europe, but is mostly outside) was allowed to apply but has been in limbo ever since.

If the EU admits Canada, but rejects Morocco, it frankly makes it seem like a racist/or anti-Muslim, decision, which I don't think the EU wants to do.

Sure sure. I am not arguing that the EU should admit Canada, nor that Canada should apply for membership. I am saying that it is not out of the realm of possibilities and that Canada's admission would have benefits to both sides. Do those benefits outweigh the risks? I ain't Solomon so let's just saw the baby in half.

Again, this thread was always just a fanciful notion.

 

[Yukon Joe]

Honestly, Canada would not benefit from joining the EU. It's not worth the loss of sovereignty especially with all the changes that would come with.

As with all things, there would be plusses and minuses.

Joining the EU means adopting the Euro, which would be a much more stable currency than our dollar (and not so susceptible to fluctuations in the price of oil). It would mean access to free movement - as Canadians you'd have the right to live and work in any EU nation,

We'd be subject to a lot of EU regulations. Supply side-management of dairy would be gone - but we'd get tariff-free imports of all kinds of European cheeses. We'd be subject to EU regulations on all kinds of things. Just off the top of my head - we'd have to get used to Euro-style fuel economy and car safety rules. Everyone driving a pick up truck (myself included) would have quite a shock.

You think Alberta complains about equalization now? Wait until Canada has to start contributing to Bulgaria's economy.

The nice thing in this moment - if we were in the EU, Trump would have to tariff all EU goods, and then the EU as a whole would retaliate on our behalf.

 

[Voight]

As with all things, there would be plusses and minuses.

Joining the EU means adopting the Euro, which would be a much more stable currency than our dollar (and not so susceptible to fluctuations in the price of oil). It would mean access to free movement - as Canadians you'd have the right to live and work in any EU nation,

We'd be subject to a lot of EU regulations. Supply side-management of dairy would be gone - but we'd get tariff-free imports of all kinds of European cheeses. We'd be subject to EU regulations on all kinds of things. Just off the top of my head - we'd have to get used to Euro-style fuel economy and car safety rules. Everyone driving a pick up truck (myself included) would have quite a shock.

You think Alberta complains about equalization now? Wait until Canada has to start contributing to Bulgaria's economy.

The nice thing in this moment - if we were in the EU, Trump would have to tariff all EU goods, and then the EU as a whole would retaliate on our behalf.

Agreed, I just see more minuses from something like this than pluses.

 

[MeHateHe]

You think Alberta complains about equalization now? Wait until Canada has to start contributing to Bulgaria's economy.

Alberta complain about stuff? That's unpossible.

 

[Golden_Jet]

As with all things, there would be plusses and minuses.

Joining the EU means adopting the Euro, which would be a much more stable currency than our dollar (and not so susceptible to fluctuations in the price of oil). It would mean access to free movement - as Canadians you'd have the right to live and work in any EU nation,

We'd be subject to a lot of EU regulations. Supply side-management of dairy would be gone - but we'd get tariff-free imports of all kinds of European cheeses. We'd be subject to EU regulations on all kinds of things. Just off the top of my head - we'd have to get used to Euro-style fuel economy and car safety rules. Everyone driving a pick up truck (myself included) would have quite a shock.

You think Alberta complains about equalization now? Wait until Canada has to start contributing to Bulgaria's economy.

The nice thing in this moment - if we were in the EU, Trump would have to tariff all EU goods, and then the EU as a whole would retaliate on our behalf.

Trump has already said tariffs to EU is coming. He’s like Oprah, you get a tariff, you get a tariff, everyone gets a tariff.