I actually thought this showed a bit of nerve. I'm not Canadian, but I think when it comes to the question of Canada's sovereignty and constitutional structure the input of random journalists and...
I actually thought this showed a bit of nerve. I'm not Canadian, but I think when it comes to the question of Canada's sovereignty and constitutional structure the input of random journalists and politicians from other countries is unhelpful? Surely the important thing should be what Canadians actually want (and from polling it seems like it's neither of these options?)
I'm not sure journalists and politicians fall into the same category here.... Politicians have to entreat with other governments. Journalists aren't involved in government and have lil more...
I'm not sure journalists and politicians fall into the same category here.... Politicians have to entreat with other governments. Journalists aren't involved in government and have lil more freedom to riff without harming national relations.
Would you consider the article in poor taste had it been titled: "Canada, we like you, we think we can help eachother. Fancy a chair at our table? No presh."?
Ya, people love being told what they should do by outsiders /s. I think they're also missing some of the sentiment here. We're culturally somewhere between the US and Europe and so while some of...
I'm not Canadian, but I think when it comes to the question of Canada's sovereignty and constitutional structure the input of random journalists and politicians from other countries is unhelpful?
Ya, people love being told what they should do by outsiders /s. I think they're also missing some of the sentiment here. We're culturally somewhere between the US and Europe and so while some of the population would enjoy being more buddy buddy with Europe, there is also a large portion of the population that would like to be more like the USA.
It's such a wild pastime for Canadians to want to be everything but Canadian. Digging back generations to call themselves Italian, Vietnamese, German or anything else without speaking the language...
It's such a wild pastime for Canadians to want to be everything but Canadian. Digging back generations to call themselves Italian, Vietnamese, German or anything else without speaking the language or having left Canada - it's a little crazy. There's plenty to unpack about a colonial, mixed ethnicity nation like ours, but for a place that prides itself on its tolerance and accepting culture, we're certainly not very curious about or willing to explore what it means to be 'Canadian'.
I think it's pretty common for people to identify with characteristics that make them seem unique and interesting, rather than characteristics they share with virtually everyone around them. I am...
I think it's pretty common for people to identify with characteristics that make them seem unique and interesting, rather than characteristics they share with virtually everyone around them.
I am an dual citizen (American and Australian) and it's exactly the same for me in both of my countries. Nobody cares that I'm an American when I'm in the US, but they want to know all about my experiences as an Australian, so I feel more Australian than American when I am in the US — and the reverse when I am in Australia.
I think the history of immigration to America and Australia (and Canada) is an important factor here too. You really don't see this digging for where your ancestors came from among most white...
I think the history of immigration to America and Australia (and Canada) is an important factor here too. You really don't see this digging for where your ancestors came from among most white Europeans in Europe, at least not to nearly the same extent, and in some countries there's culturally a lot of resentment for (usually but not exclusively American) people with distant heritage claiming a deep connection to a country they may have never even visited based on where their great-great-grandparents lived. I've seen a lot of candor about this specifically from Irish people, but it's not unique to them.
Yeah, really. As much as Canadians are loathe to admit that they have their own distinct culture, it's on full display when they joyously return home from traveling, or when they're comparing...
Yeah, really. As much as Canadians are loathe to admit that they have their own distinct culture, it's on full display when they joyously return home from traveling, or when they're comparing themselves to the United States.
We're having a bit of a crisis of unity right now thanks to an ultra lame duck prime minister and an opposition (both provincially and federally) whose only strategy is to tear down what is and grab what they can.
It's terribly unfortunate and I sincerely hope that some adults enter the room soon.
Most countries are the object of public foreign opinions all the time. That comes with being a country. I can't imagine that a single 1000-word article will seriously impact Canadian's ability to...
Most countries are the object of public foreign opinions all the time. That comes with being a country. I can't imagine that a single 1000-word article will seriously impact Canadian's ability to direct their country.
Obvious logical discrepancy aside, I feel like I'm reading an alt history reddit post
Obvious logical discrepancy aside,
The EU would go from having a population density not far from China’s to that of America—assuming enough Greeks or Belgians volunteer to live in rather chilly conditions.
I feel like I'm reading an alt history reddit post
Yes, alt-history indeed. The whole thing is bonkers. The whole idea of the EU was peace and cooperation on the European continent. Canada as a full member would make absolutely no sense. Closer...
France, historically reticent to enlarge the EU, would jump at the chance of a new French-speaking member—though it might settle for letting in just francophone Quebec, which is again mumbling about seceding.
Yes, alt-history indeed. The whole thing is bonkers. The whole idea of the EU was peace and cooperation on the European continent. Canada as a full member would make absolutely no sense. Closer ties? Why not, but membership is insanity. The whole thing feels like a typical American speaking on things they have absolutely no idea about.
Here's what he skeeted about the article Seems like he's not actually advocating for the former. Which aligns with the end of the piece
Here's what he skeeted about the article
My first Charlemagne of 2025: Why Canada should join the EU.
It has space and resources, Europe has people. Let's deal.
(OK fine maybe we should just work towards a closer relationship of like-minded countries, especially in the age of Trump.)
Seems like he's not actually advocating for the former.
Which aligns with the end of the piece
If CanadEU remains but a geopolitical thought experiment, that does not preclude an ever-closer relationship. Canada already takes part in several European schemes, such as military mobility and space travel. More could be done: Canada’s gas cannot reach EU shores because of a lack of LNG shipping infrastructure. The Canada-EU trade deal, enacted in 2017, is the bloc’s most ambitious, but remains in “provisional” application; ten EU countries have yet to ratify its most far-reaching measures. Short of bringing Canada into the club, Europeans could start by getting that deal over the line. ■
It looks like he's actually advocating for a closer relationship between Canada and Europe, not EU membership from reading the entire piece. He's using the concept to make that point
It looks like he's actually advocating for a closer relationship between Canada and Europe, not EU membership from reading the entire piece. He's using the concept to make that point
https://archive.ph/jvRlo
I actually thought this showed a bit of nerve. I'm not Canadian, but I think when it comes to the question of Canada's sovereignty and constitutional structure the input of random journalists and politicians from other countries is unhelpful? Surely the important thing should be what Canadians actually want (and from polling it seems like it's neither of these options?)
I'm not sure journalists and politicians fall into the same category here.... Politicians have to entreat with other governments. Journalists aren't involved in government and have lil more freedom to riff without harming national relations.
Would you consider the article in poor taste had it been titled: "Canada, we like you, we think we can help eachother. Fancy a chair at our table? No presh."?
Ya, people love being told what they should do by outsiders /s. I think they're also missing some of the sentiment here. We're culturally somewhere between the US and Europe and so while some of the population would enjoy being more buddy buddy with Europe, there is also a large portion of the population that would like to be more like the USA.
It's such a wild pastime for Canadians to want to be everything but Canadian. Digging back generations to call themselves Italian, Vietnamese, German or anything else without speaking the language or having left Canada - it's a little crazy. There's plenty to unpack about a colonial, mixed ethnicity nation like ours, but for a place that prides itself on its tolerance and accepting culture, we're certainly not very curious about or willing to explore what it means to be 'Canadian'.
I think it's pretty common for people to identify with characteristics that make them seem unique and interesting, rather than characteristics they share with virtually everyone around them.
I am an dual citizen (American and Australian) and it's exactly the same for me in both of my countries. Nobody cares that I'm an American when I'm in the US, but they want to know all about my experiences as an Australian, so I feel more Australian than American when I am in the US — and the reverse when I am in Australia.
I think the history of immigration to America and Australia (and Canada) is an important factor here too. You really don't see this digging for where your ancestors came from among most white Europeans in Europe, at least not to nearly the same extent, and in some countries there's culturally a lot of resentment for (usually but not exclusively American) people with distant heritage claiming a deep connection to a country they may have never even visited based on where their great-great-grandparents lived. I've seen a lot of candor about this specifically from Irish people, but it's not unique to them.
Yeah, really. As much as Canadians are loathe to admit that they have their own distinct culture, it's on full display when they joyously return home from traveling, or when they're comparing themselves to the United States.
We're having a bit of a crisis of unity right now thanks to an ultra lame duck prime minister and an opposition (both provincially and federally) whose only strategy is to tear down what is and grab what they can.
It's terribly unfortunate and I sincerely hope that some adults enter the room soon.
Most countries are the object of public foreign opinions all the time. That comes with being a country. I can't imagine that a single 1000-word article will seriously impact Canadian's ability to direct their country.
Obvious logical discrepancy aside,
I feel like I'm reading an alt history reddit post
Yes, alt-history indeed. The whole thing is bonkers. The whole idea of the EU was peace and cooperation on the European continent. Canada as a full member would make absolutely no sense. Closer ties? Why not, but membership is insanity. The whole thing feels like a typical American speaking on things they have absolutely no idea about.
The Economist is a British publication. The column in question was written by its Brussels bureau chief.
Here's what he skeeted about the article
Seems like he's not actually advocating for the former.
Which aligns with the end of the piece
Than I am even more baffled. He should know better.
It looks like he's actually advocating for a closer relationship between Canada and Europe, not EU membership from reading the entire piece. He's using the concept to make that point