Joachim Streit has never stepped foot in Canada. But that hasn’t stopped the German politician from launching a tenacious, one-man campaign that he readily describes as “aspirational”: to have the North American country join the EU.
“We have to strengthen the European Union,” said Streit, who last year was elected as a member of the European parliament. “And I think Canada – as its prime minister says – is the most European country outside of Europe.”
Streit had long imagined Canada as a sort of paradise, home to dense forests that course with wide, rushing rivers. But after Donald Trump returned to power, launching much of the world into a trade war and turning his back on America’s traditional allies, Streit began to cast the northern country in a new light.
What he saw was a relatively unexplored relationship, one that could prove mutually beneficial as the world grapples with rapidly reshaping global dynamics. “Canadians have seen their trust in the US undermined, just as we have in Europe, following President Trump’s actions,” he said. “We need to strengthen the ties that bind us to our friends.”
While I get the rationale, I can’t help but think that if this currently aspirational idea actually takes hold, the net result would be the militarization of our northern border.
I can’t really see Van der Leyen approving such an expansion, especially given it would bring a Commonwealth territory into the EU post-Brexit.
I’m coming from a PIGS-crisis perspective, having immigrated from a PIGS country to Canada during the euro debt crisis. The euro is too unwieldy and it’s monetary policy has basically been mostly what suits the Northern European banks plus northern populism against lazy southerners to keep transfers low. In a way, the eurozone is one giant version of Italy.
I personally don’t see any advantage for Canada to let go it’s monetary sovereignty. We are at our core a resource and trading nation, and having control of our own levers is best.
I am absolutely for tighter integration with the EU, as I don’t see any reason Canada shouldn’t enjoy the things we take for granted as Europeans. Potentially in the Icelandic or Norwegian model (ultimately in the Canadian model of course), but just like as Canadians we don’t need to be anyone’s 51st state, we also don’t need to be anyone’s 28th member state.
Ps. I’m confusing "we"s above, just the pitfalls of being a dual EU-Canadian citizen.
PIGS clarification? Portugal, Italy, Greece and Spain? Useless websearch term.
Yes exactly