[haukilup]

I think if individual Canadians were asked what the specific benefits and responsibilities of joining the EU would be, they[1] wouldn’t have an answer.

A poll like this shows ideological leanings, but Canadians simply aren’t well informed about what participation in the EU entails

Edit: [1] the vast majority of Canadians* Most Canadians I know barely follow Canadian politics, and know even less about how the EU functions

[joshdavham]

It’s also likely unnecessary for us to join the EU.

Unless the US becomes totally and competently belligerent towards us, we don’t need to join the EU. This would only make sense in very extreme circumstances (knock on wood).

[jfengel]

I would worry more about our incompetent belligerence. The EU is not a defense pact like NATO. It's a free trade and movement zone. It couldn't help you if the US actually attacked you, but it can provide a market for your goods if the US shuts down the border.

We're not going to invade. That's just the loud-stupid stuff so that people miss the quiet-stupid stuff. Your economy is in bigger jeopardy than your territory, but that's sufficient to seek alternate arrangements.

[FredPret]

As I understand it, we would get:

- defensive alliance that includes a nuclear power, France

- free trade with Europe to replace some of our lost US trade

[qwe----3]

1) Don't you already have that? 2) Don't you already have a trade deal with the EU?

You'd reduce your ability to control borders and immigration levels + have to adopt the EU regulatory burden

[joshdavham]

Yes, but at the price of our independence.

I love Europe, but I would not in anyway be okay with EU politicians from other countries imposing laws on us. I like that we can govern ourselves.

[FredPret]

Agreed but would be nice to have a backstop in case of invasion from either the North or South. I guess Nato is already supposed to do that though.

Furthermore, I was wrong about trade: we already have free trade agreements with all the rest of the rich world: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_trade_agreements_of_Canad...

Maybe we just need an expansion of East-West infrastructure so as to shift some of that easy default US trade elsewhere.

[floxy]

>defensive alliance that includes a nuclear power, France

Isn't the king of Canada the same person as the king of the UK, which is also a nuclear power with nuclear weapons? What extra is France bringing to the mix?

[aborsy]

This is such a shallow comment. EU is in fact defenseless (at least til the next 5 years), and terrified of US leaving the Europe. It can’t hold back Russia, a country far smaller than EU in population and GDP.

Canada could have trade agreements with other countries. Being part of EU is not in Canada’s interest. It could operate like Switzerland, maybe.

[FredPret]

How in the world can the EU "not hold back Russia"?

After the past few years, do you believe that if Russia invaded the EU, it would win?

[aborsy]

I’m not sure if I follow. It’s been 3 years and Ukraine, with the support of US and EU, has lost significant territory. If US withdraws, EU/Ukraine will clearly be in a very bad situation.

EU currently doesn’t have proper air defense, military and army. It will take at least 5 years to build the required capabilities.

[FredPret]

The US + EU is fighting by proxy (less efficient than direct), in a limited fashion, and very reluctantly at that.

Even that's been enough to extend Putin's "three day" war into three years with colossal losses on both sides, and a completely unsustainable situation in Russia.

If Russians set foot on EU soil, the game changes much for the worse for Russia.

[anotherhue]

You are spreading nonsense. Russia and Europe have a rich history of invading each other. This isn't even the first time Crimea has been captured and re-taken.

Poland alone could probably manage it, and I'm fairly sure the UK would join also. Simple comparison of military forces will give you your answer.