Why doesn't Canada join the European Union?


Continued reliance on the U.S. will only erode national sovereignty, undermine Canadian culture and have entire sectors of the Canadian economy under the duress of American partisan interests.




>by Am Johal
March 23, 2005

In the middle of the free trade debates in Canada, Margaret Atwood wrote about the U.S., “Canada as a separate but dominated country has done about as well under the United States as women worldwide have done under men. About the only position they have ever adopted toward us, country to country, has been the missionary position, and we were not on top. I guess that is why the national wisdom vis-à-vis them has so often taken the form of lying still, keeping your mouth shut and pretending you like it.”

In the middle of a softwood lumber dispute, disagreements over missile defense and a wide chasm over American unilateralism, why shouldn't Canada build closer links to the European Union?

Canada should think seriously about signing an Association Agreement with the European Union with the intent to formally join the alliance within ten years.

The European Union has surpassed the United States in population and exports, and is now the world's largest single market. Its population was 377 million and increased by 74 million with addition of ten new member states. After the U.S., the European Union is Canada's largest market.

Canada's previous trade deal in Europe was with the European Trade Association consisting of such distinguished economic powerhouses such as Norway, Switzerland, Iceland and Liechtenstein.

In 1976, Canada signed an economic cooperation agreement with the European Economic Community. Since the 1990 Canada-EC declaration on transatlantic relations, the Prime Minister of Canada and the President of the European Commission and the European Council have met twice a year.

In 1996, the Canada-EU Action Plan was signed to increase cooperation in areas such as health, environment, culture and terrorism. The European Union-Canada Trade Initiative came in to force in 1998 and the Canada-Europe Round Table for Business was founded the following year. In the spring of 2004, Canada launched the new Trade and Investment Enhancement Agreement between Canada and the EU. The new Partnership Agenda once again aims to strengthen Canadian-EU relations.

If Canada is serious about easing its reliance on the United States, then it must be proactive in building economic alliances and opening new markets. Continued reliance on the U.S. will only erode national sovereignty, undermine Canadian culture and have entire sectors of the Canadian economy under the duress of American partisan interests. It would be a bold move to reposition Canada as an independent nation in the world.

Am Johal is a freelance journalist and a frequent contributor to rabble.ca.

quote:

Originally posted by swilly Why doesn't Canada join the European Union? Continued reliance on the U.S. will only erode national sovereignty, undermine Canadian culture and have entire sectors of the Canadian economy under the duress of American partisan interests. >by Am Johal March 23, 2005 In the middle of the free trade debates in Canada, Margaret Atwood wrote about the U.S., “Canada as a separate but dominated country has done about as well under the United States as women worldwide have done under men. About the only position they have ever adopted toward us, country to country, has been the missionary position, and we were not on top. I guess that is why the national wisdom vis-à-vis them has so often taken the form of lying still, keeping your mouth shut and pretending you like it.” In the middle of a softwood lumber dispute, disagreements over missile defense and a wide chasm over American unilateralism, why shouldn't Canada build closer links to the European Union? Canada should think seriously about signing an Association Agreement with the European Union with the intent to formally join the alliance within ten years. The European Union has surpassed the United States in population and exports, and is now the world's largest single market. Its population was 377 million and increased by 74 million with addition of ten new member states. After the U.S., the European Union is Canada's largest market. Canada's previous trade deal in Europe was with the European Trade Association consisting of such distinguished economic powerhouses such as Norway, Switzerland, Iceland and Liechtenstein. In 1976, Canada signed an economic cooperation agreement with the European Economic Community. Since the 1990 Canada-EC declaration on transatlantic relations, the Prime Minister of Canada and the President of the European Commission and the European Council have met twice a year. In 1996, the Canada-EU Action Plan was signed to increase cooperation in areas such as health, environment, culture and terrorism. The European Union-Canada Trade Initiative came in to force in 1998 and the Canada-Europe Round Table for Business was founded the following year. In the spring of 2004, Canada launched the new Trade and Investment Enhancement Agreement between Canada and the EU. The new Partnership Agenda once again aims to strengthen Canadian-EU relations. If Canada is serious about easing its reliance on the United States, then it must be proactive in building economic alliances and opening new markets. Continued reliance on the U.S. will only erode national sovereignty, undermine Canadian culture and have entire sectors of the Canadian economy under the duress of American partisan interests. It would be a bold move to reposition Canada as an independent nation in the world. Am Johal is a freelance journalist and a frequent contributor to rabble.ca.

Nice idea something I've thought about before (along with Israel and Palestine! )

yeah i have also seriously been thinking about it, think it would work... canada should at least aim at closer relationships with the EU

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Originally posted by St_Andrew yeah i have also seriously been thinking about it, think it would work... canada should at least aim at closer relationships with the EU

There is actually a kind of precedent for this. French Guiana, which is in South America, is part of France and is therefore also a part of the EU (and Canada is a lot closer to Europe than South America is so there shouldn't be an issue over geography)

Well I don't know about you guys but my map here at home says that Canada is a part of North America. If they want countries all over the world to join then call it something universal like the GlobalUnion or United Federation of Planets. That way you cover your ass when things like this happen

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Originally posted by BadBadNeil Well I don't know about you guys but my map here at home says that Canada is a part of North America. If they want countries all over the world to join then call it something universal like the GlobalUnion or United Federation of Planets. That way you cover your ass when things like this happen

I can just see it in Islamic message boards all over the net...

"Europeans plotting to take over the world!!"

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Originally posted by George Smiley I can just see it in Islamic message boards all over the net... "Europeans plotting to take over the world!!"

rofl, like shadowolf but inverse!

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Originally posted by St_Andrew rofl, like shadowolf but inverse!

I like this analogy of a woman (Canada) getting fucked by the US. Why is it a show of independence for a woman to go from one guy to another? She'll still be fucked?

Anyway, after the disaster election back in november, I wrote in a thread that the EU really should concentrate on building closer relationships with Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Russia, and others, on the possible expense of loosening those to the emerging theocracy that is the US. According to this article, that process already seems to be on the way (at least with Canada). Makes me very happy

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Originally posted by George Smiley There is actually a kind of precedent for this. French Guiana, which is in South America, is part of France and is therefore also a part of the EU (and Canada is a lot closer to Europe than South America is so there shouldn't be an issue over geography)

Hmm, well, I guess you could say that Canada is a part of British empire because it is a part of commonwealth and the queen is still the official leader, but that's kinda stretched.

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Originally posted by DrUg_Tit0 Hmm, well, I guess you could say that Canada is a part of British empire because it is a part of commonwealth and the queen is still the official leader, but that's kinda stretched.

Nah cos then they'd have to let in loads of African countries and I think they'd draw the line at Turkey!

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Originally posted by George Smiley Nah cos then they'd have to let in loads of African countries and I think they'd draw the line at Turkey!

Hmm, well, theoretically yes, but there's a whole lot of other criteria that a country should satisfy to enter the EU.

Perhaps Europe should not be considered as a territorry but rather a cultural group. That way you could invite Australia, New Zealand and the US to join too

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