Interest in Canada joining the EU has increased amid US tensions, with 44% of Canadians supporting the idea. While the EU acknowledges shared values, Canada’s geographic distance and historical precedent present challenges for membership.
EU/Canadian dual citizen here: full membership doesn’t make sense. Deeper integration to the point of having a customs union would probably be quite reasonable. I’m not sure about free movement of people however because the two parties have different attitudes to immigration. Canada cherishes immigration and cultural diversity, and considers it to be a defining national characteristic. Multiculturalism is quite literally baked in our constitution. European attitudes on the other hand, let’s just say, I don’t miss them. Beyond that, I don’t think Canada needs the Euro (and the stability pact straightjacket) any more than it needs the USD.
As a Canadian, I support the idea of trade agreements with the EU, especially ones that could benefit our Indigenous communities. I support allyship with the EU. But I don’t want to be a part of the EU. We can’t ditch Mexico.
If someone had told me ten years ago that in 2025 the UK would have long left the EU and we were talking about a membership of Canada, I would have declared them bewildered. LOL.
The EU is not a geographical union despite it’s name. Even then, Canada and Europe share a common border; the Atlantic Ocean. Also it’s part of the Commonwealth, Has a strong economy, social politics, The Greco-Roman and Judaeo-Christian tradition. And they speak the two most common European languages. Canada makes more sense than Türkiye if you disregard distance.
Even then, Canada and Europe share a common border; the Atlantic Ocean.
- land border with Denmark
- sea border with France.
If the UK can join the EU, then Canada can join the EU.
I mean the UK is geographically European no matter how much a certain segment of the population likes to think otherwise.
I can’t imagine Canada joining like a normal EU member country would. But I do hope Canada enters into special cooperation and trade agreements if possible.
Canada and the EU already have a trade agreement in place since 2017:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comprehensive_Economic_and_Trade_Agreement
I believe that it has been violated recently, so is no longer strictly valid.
Violated?
As far as I understand, the vast majority of the agreement is already fully in effect, with a few loose ends still tied up in EU member states’ legislatures.
Canadian businesses have just never really had a good reason to take advantage of the new trade rules until recently. Canadians might start noticing an increase in EU products range and availability over the next while.
Technically, it is not a done deal, but practically speaking, it is. Correct me if I’m wrong.
