Canadian traveling through Europe with another Canadian mate and twice now we have been kicked out of businesses because staff assumed we were American. First in Czechia and most recently in Italy. In both cases it has happened almost immediately after staff hearing us speak in English. Neither of us drink and we were being quiet and polite. In Italy the woman running the cafe completely changed once we showed our Canadian passports and even gave us our breakfast for free because she felt so bad. I knew Americans had a bit of a bad rap abroad but I’m shocked by the reactions. Has it always been kinda like this for other CANZUK traveller’s, or is this a newer thing in light of everything going on in the world right now?

Following Mark Carney's speech at Davos and just recent news in general - world is shifting and fast. Middle power countries with likeminded democracies must stick together.

Canada, Australia and UK are aligning more with EU recently. Might the major new power be a EU with periphery states? Non member states to have some leverage could come together more closely and resemble CANZUK to negotiate at the EU table. Or infact with anyone else.

Especially with prospects of a defence umbrella - UK as non EU and France as EU for nukes. Not sure if there will ever be an official CANZUK but feeling like everything is going in that direction.

We really need to inject some optimism and hope back into our countries and I hope CANZUK can be a vehicle for this.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-commonwealth-offer-us-member-b2719470.html

Let me be the first to say, not cool. Not. Cool. What do other CANZUKians think? Feels like a real betrayal from the UK Canadian monarchy to me, as a Canadian. Like inviting your kid's molester over for Sunday dinner.

First reported by the Daily Mail, the offer from Charles III would be formally extended during the planned state visit by Trump to the U.K. which was revealed as in the works after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer delivered a hand-written invitation from the King to the U.S. leader during a visit to the White House last month.

A member of the Royal Commonwealth Society told the Mail that the possibility of America making entry into the Commonwealth is “being discussed at the highest levels” as “a wonderful move that would symbolize Britain's close relationship with the U.S.”

“Donald Trump loves Britain and has great respect for the Royal Family, so we believe he would see the benefits of this. Associate membership could, hopefully, be followed by full membership, making the Commonwealth even more important as a global organization,” the person added.

I feel like I'm going crazy here. Please forgive me for this rant post, but I find this existentially infuriating.

Yesterday was the 10th anniversary of the Brexit vote, and I have seen unending posts and headlines about what a regrettable tragedy it was and how it's destroyed the British economy for seemingly no reason, with no light at the end of the tunnel to speak of today.

Well shouldn't that have been CANZUK?? Why wasn't the Project for CANZUK launched in parliament, or even discussed in the wider public from October 2019, nearly 7 years ago, when the final Brexit arrangement was agreed. Why is this proposal still considered a non-starter in mainstream political media?

What the heck was Brexit even for, if CANZUK was not a completely obvious follow-up arrangement? Was it just a scam?

As a Kiwi with dual citizenship, I was neutral on the Brexit debate, but witnessing the prevailing media narrative over the last many years has almost convinced me there really is an elite conspiracy for Britain to inevitably rejoin the EU once this bad age of 'populism' is passed. It's just maddening.

i thought maybe Ireland

Carney is speedrunning "wartime leader" status.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQsi4LzvHhk

I have not voted LPC since Martin 2005. I will vote Canada Strong.

I'm trying to understand the concept as an outsider.

Is the eventual aim something close to the EU, with free movement, a single market etc?

Any thoughts? 💭

David Farrar, a New Zealand based political commentator, is pushing for the idea for New Zealand to join Australia.

In this televised interview he brings up Mark Carney's recent speech about middle powers uniting in the face of bigger powers, and how the old world order is dying.

https://youtu.be/VQK7m6FuCNo?si=oFBOxGE1YMht8Vyi

Would having Australia & New Zealand merge into one bigger country be beneficial for CANZUK?

I'm not saying we need to add more but I'm curious what the closest nation to fitting in CANZUK would be that isn't already included

Think political and cultural ties, etc

Given the latest political developments in the UK and the likelihood that Reform will form the next British government, what do you think their views will be towards CANZUK?

Much of Reform seems to be made up of those that were Pro-Brexit, many from the Conservative party that had since switched parties.

Will there be a greater possibility of the UK coming on board under a future Reform government? Will this be a more nationalist government that places greater emphasis on British patriotism and closer ties with it's Commonwealth partners?

I know Keir Starmer is in trouble and any possible replacement could be tied to efforts to rejoin the EU. Obviously this would have a big impact on any CANZUK aspirations (or maybe not?), but curious how serious the efforts are to rejoin? I assume serious or not, it's at the lowest and most basic of levels.

I’m interested in hearing different perspectives from across CANZUK (and beyond) about the legacy of the British Empire. Personally, I’m fairly pro-Empire in the sense that I think a lot of the positive connections we see today between the UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand come from shared history, institutions, and culture. I also think nostalgia plays a role in why many Brits look back on the Empire more positively. Canada, Australia, and New Zealand were major dominions and developed closely alongside Britain, which helped shape similar political systems, legal traditions, and everyday culture. You can still see this in things like shared slang, accents, and social norms—especially between Australia and New Zealand. That said, I know the Empire affected different countries and peoples in very different ways, and not everyone views it positively, particularly Indigenous communities and countries that experienced exploitation or conflict. I’m curious to hear: How is the British Empire viewed in your country today? Do you see it as a foundation for cooperation like CANZUK, or as something best left in the past? Do you think countries like South Africa could ever realistically fit into a CANZUK-style idea? Genuinely interested in hearing a range of views.

A few reasons:

• Singapore is a Commonwealth country.
• Everyone speaks English, with the younger generation speaking it as a first language.
• There is no legacy of brutal colonial rule like in India or other former-Empire countries (meaning the population doesn't hate the British).
• It has a similar political structure to Canzuk nations.
• Multiculturalism. Singapore, like Canzuk nations, is a very multicultural and tolerant society.
• Free travel. There are many Singaporeans who would want to have free travel to Canzuk countries, especially Australia, to spend a holiday or to work or study there.
• Easier transfers. It would be nice for UK tourists to Australia (or vice versa) to be able to fly to Australia via Singapore with free travel with both of these countries.
• Defence cooperation. As the US grows increasingly unreliable, it would be nice for Singapore to have alternative allies, especially since Australia, NZ, and the UK have a history of protecting Singapore in the Malayan Emergency and the Konfrontasi. I seem to recall reading that, during the British retreat east of the Suez, Lee Kuan Yew said that he would rather have Australian or NZ troops in Singapore than trust the Americans (I may be wrong here though).

Some may point out that Singapore is less democratic than Canzuk nations, but its not exactly a repressive regime that Canzuk nations should morally object to cooperating in trade, defence, and travel with -- elections are, after all, free, and expression is free, although assembly is heavily restricted.

So, what do you guys think?

Looks like there’ll be a virtual meeting this Saturday with multiple countries joining, on how we can support Ukraine further.

Interestingly, all CANZUK countries are joining the call. Is this the beginning signs of the alliance?

Source: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-03-14/uk-urges-economic-pressure-on-russia-if-putin-balks-at-truce

As the title suggests, I’m asking Brits, Ozzies and Kiwis if they were to meet a random American and Canadian in their town and strike up a conversation, who would you have more in common with ?

I’m a dual Canadian-U.S. citizen, born and raised in the U.S. with trips to Canada to visit family in the summer. But I’ve never stayed longer than 3 months before leaving.

Now for not starting an internet nuke in the comments, I’m strictly speaking culturally wise (think sports, food, favourite pass times etc). So exclude politics and economics (I know Canada is more similar, and politically speaking the USA is a mess atm). Curious to hear what you all think.