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. ❤️
I would love closer ties, even very close like customs union and freedom of movement. Also personally I'm not attached to the Canadian dollar, and if it made economic sense to replace it with the Euro I wouldn't mind.
I'm not sure what a "European Republic" would entail. I assume that means that a lot more issues will come under the responsibility of EU institutions such as the EP, as opposed to local governments. Canada is big enough as it is, and people often complain (rightfully or not) about bad decisions made in far-away Ottawa. I think Canadians won't like to delegate a significant chunk of our sovereignty to Brussels.
And anyway as you pointed out the EU is far from perfect. What bothers me the most is the frequent need for unanimity and the ability of small countries like Hungary to block fairly routine decisions about spending. In Canada unanimous consent is required only to depose the King or something like that.