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 ๐ช๐บโค๏ธ๐จ๐ฆ
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. โค๏ธ
To become a part of a fully federated EU? I don't think so. I would love to be an EU member, but I wouldn't want to stop being Canada either.
I've often dreamed of a world where there are no countries, just a single global government. I think it would be great, but I don't think it's realistic at this time. We'd need to undergo a lot change before that could become feasible.
Another issue I would have is not being able to control our foreign policy. Canadians have seen first-hand just how dangerous it is to get in bed with the united states, and we can't afford to go back to that. If we became a single unit, we'd be beholden to any relationships made with the u.s., which is unacceptable.
We wouldn't want to become dominated by them again, so we couldn't surrender our autonomy. I would very much like to join the EU, but I would not want to give up my national identity either. I'm not some ultra-proud patriot, though I do love my country. I'm just not content with the idea of not having control over what affects us.
I love Europe and I hope we can become closer friends, but I wouldn't be willing to surrender our autonomy completely.
Yes, I think the love and hope for much closer ties is very much mutual.
But like others have said, if "far-away" Ottawa is too far for some Canadians, I don't think decisions about your fate made in Brussels would be very popular.