Given the recent statements of the President of the United States, I'd suggest it would be in the economic, military, and social interest of every Canadian to read up on what it means to join the European Union.

Edwin G. :mapleleafroundel:

@chris How do we start the process?

Do we petition our MP and PM?

Chris Alemany🇺🇦🇨🇦🇪🇸

@EdwinG I would think so

RachelW

@chris as Canada is a non-European state, I can’t see how we could do this. I can see *why*, however.

Chris Alemany🇺🇦🇨🇦🇪🇸

@bassoonwrath There is no geographical distinction that I've found.

Paul Turnbull 🇨🇦 🇺🇦 🇵🇸

@chris We don't meet the geographic criteria for joining the EU however that doesn't preclude us from setting up direct trade agreements with the EU, which we already have in the form of CETA. While not fully ratified it is still mostly in force.

EU-Canada

The EU and Canada feature some of the most dynamic economies in the world.

Trade (policy.trade.ec.europa.eu)

Chris Alemany🇺🇦🇨🇦🇪🇸

@Chigaze is there geographical criteria? I mean... technically Greenland is part of the EU, soo….

Chris Alemany🇺🇦🇨🇦🇪🇸

@Chigaze a free trade agreement is apparently one potential 'step' to being able to apply.

Just saying

Paul Turnbull 🇨🇦 🇺🇦 🇵🇸

@chris My question would be why? I don't get what advantage we would have joining the EU over the existing trade agreements.

Meg

@Chigaze @chris personally I think there are a lot of things about EU law I'd really like to apply to Canada, and being in Schengen would be cool (but technically that's not exactly the same as EU membership).

Paul Turnbull 🇨🇦 🇺🇦 🇵🇸

@megmac @chris There are definitely some EU laws I'd love to see in Canada but I'm betting there's a lot that could be tricky to integrate here too.

@Chigaze @chris
So lets start talking about a new democratic economic union that is based on willing (wise) countries from the EU and Commonwealth to counter BRICS & Fascist America, like yesterday.

Chris Alemany🇺🇦🇨🇦🇪🇸

@Chigaze I think we would realize significant advantage both from an immigration/emigration level plus direct access to the economic zone and the Euro. Culturally, Socially, and in terms of Human Rights I thinkwe have always been closer to an EU mindset and would solidify that while still becoming like a 'bridge' to the USA and that might be a point that would be attractive to the EU. A physical connection to the US market could be a big selling point

Chris Alemany🇺🇦🇨🇦🇪🇸

@megmac @Chigaze me too.

Chris Alemany🇺🇦🇨🇦🇪🇸

@NMBA @Chigaze EXACTLY

Chris Alemany🇺🇦🇨🇦🇪🇸

@Chigaze i mean... just having the EURO would be literally flip the current exchange relationship on its head.

Paul Turnbull 🇨🇦 🇺🇦 🇵🇸

@chris Fair enough but all irrelevant to the current situation. It would require a rule change on their part which would have to come from a request on our part. That alone would likely take years. Then a formal process, which would also take years. Except as a trading partner under CETA the EU is not our saviour from whatever is coming in the next few months.

Chris Alemany🇺🇦🇨🇦🇪🇸

@Chigaze certainly as they say... no time like the present to get that rule change!