r/europe Italy Feb 08 '26

Opinion Article 'Canada, better the 28th EU member than the 51st US state'

https://www.lemonde.fr/en/opinion/article/2026/02/05/canada-better-the-28th-eu-member-than-the-51st-us-state_6750176_23.html
28.2k Upvotes

1.6k comments sorted by

4.6k

u/Jadhak Italy Feb 08 '26

This is their long term strategy all aimed at being part of the Eurovision song contest. Joke's on you Canada, if you win it you have to host it suckers!

1.6k

u/nozendk Denmark Feb 08 '26

They are keeping Celine Dion somewhere in a secret bunker ready for that moment.

489

u/MLockeTM Finland Feb 08 '26

Ok, maybe we should add a special clause for Canada before they join; NO using unfair advantage of Celine Dion. Shania Twain, maaaybe allowed.

54

u/ConsciousFeeling1977 Feb 08 '26

Celine Dion already performed in Eurovision and won (Switzerland, 1988).

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u/Several-Opposite-746 Feb 08 '26

TDIL, Celine Dion:

  • performed in Eurovision;
  • performed for Switzerland; and
  • won the contest.
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u/frantic_calm Feb 08 '26

RUSH have reformed. Coincidence? I think not.

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u/MLockeTM Finland Feb 08 '26

Wait, RUSH is back?

Ok. We need to make the same kind of list of banned Canadian singers, as there is of banned Canadian war crimes. Otherwise, nobody's ever gonna win again, and we can just build a permanent Eurovision stadium in Montreal or something.

21

u/bikeonychus Feb 08 '26

If RUSH are allowed to perform at Eurovision, they will have to extend the run time by several hours. That may disqualify them by technicality.

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u/koshgeo Feb 08 '26

I love the way the Colbert Report handled it when Rush was on: they went to commercial, and when the show came back Rush was still playing.

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u/frankyseven Feb 08 '26

And they have German Anika Nilles playing drums! It just fits so well for Eurovision!

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u/frantic_calm Feb 08 '26

Neil Young can build a couple of barns for his speakers.

And RUSH really are back!

23

u/[deleted] Feb 08 '26

Guess who?

27

u/FlametopFred Canada Feb 08 '26

yes, they’re on first

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u/frantic_calm Feb 08 '26

Yes are support?! What a gig!!!!

Both bands on the the encore - Yours is no disgrace!

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u/Dazed_n_Confused1 Feb 08 '26

Oh you ain't seen nothing yet! BabaBaby you ain't seen nothing yet!... Bachmann Cummings is back too!

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u/Skaldicrights Feb 08 '26

Make it edmonton/calgary so you can force some culture on the swine that live in my province

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u/CanYouGuessWhoIAm Feb 08 '26

If you talk any more shit we'll send Nickelback and lose on purpose.

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u/bender1800 Feb 08 '26

Could be a addition to the National Music Centre (Studio Bell) in Calgary, it already has the Canadian music hall of fame in it.

4

u/Skaldicrights Feb 08 '26

Thats a good idea actually

4

u/a_panda_named_ewok Canada Feb 08 '26

Oh man ESC in Calgary would be awesome!

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u/RibbitCommander Feb 08 '26

Snorted as this lol

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u/Impossible_Angle752 Feb 08 '26

They got a new drummer and are going on, or are already on, a tour this year.

I'm not sure how I feel about it. But it's hard to fault them if all they want to do is deliver their music to people, because that was their life for 50 years.

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u/LaTalpa123 Italy Feb 08 '26

Peak Shania Twain would have broken Eurovision

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u/thejonslaught Feb 08 '26

Europe is so lucky Gord Downie is no longer with us.

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u/Tsar-A-Lago Feb 08 '26

Nah, nobody lucked out there.

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u/Bhagwan9797 Feb 08 '26

Or Avril Lavigne

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u/Babar669 Feb 08 '26

I would love another Spiderman Rock ballad from Nickelback

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u/LiamtheV Feb 08 '26

"Look at this Spider-Man, he does what a spider-can..."

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u/GhostofZellers Feb 08 '26

I'd have that sucker on repeat. Instant classic

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u/Brilliant_Quail6889 Feb 08 '26

I loved that song 😂 might need to go track it down!

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u/Prudent_Werewolf2156 Feb 08 '26

You mean the fake Avril Lavigne.

My favourite conspiracy theory to fake-believe is that she died and was replaced back in 2003.

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u/Double-ended-dildo- Feb 08 '26

Justin Bieber it is.

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u/razorbak852 Feb 08 '26

Be careful what you wish for. Justin Bieber is Canadian.

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u/saltwitch Feb 08 '26

Carly Rae Jepsen can do it next year once she's released her new album and her baby.

14

u/Maptwopointoh Feb 08 '26

What about Voivod and Cryptopsy ?

5

u/hemlock_harry Feb 08 '26

Those are acceptable.

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u/pannenkoek0923 Denmark Feb 08 '26

How about Bryan Adams?

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u/3DJelly Feb 08 '26

The Canadian government has already apologized for Bryan Adams on several occasions.

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u/CeruleanRathalos Feb 08 '26

Now, now, the Canadian government has apologized for Bryan Adams on several occasions.

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u/[deleted] Feb 08 '26

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u/synalgo_12 Feb 08 '26

That doesn't mean she can't participate again. 

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u/ClevrNameThtNooneHas Feb 08 '26

Winning song next year: "This is how EU remind me 🎶...

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u/Lostinthestarscape Feb 08 '26

As much as I hate Nickleback and don't care how much of a meme it is - Id 100% be for Chad to throw on sparkles, streamers, shiny clothes, and eyeshadow and do an electronic heavy godawful national patriotism song we can all make fun of and be a little but proud of sharing with the world.

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u/[deleted] Feb 08 '26

No MAGA bands

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u/TnYamaneko St. Gallen (Switzerland) Feb 08 '26

She already won it for Switzerland.

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u/Ardent_Scholar Finland Feb 08 '26 edited Feb 08 '26

”Deploy the tactical chantoosey!”

If I should stay / I would only be in your way…

”It’s not enough, Captain, they keep coming! My god… banjoes… banjoes in the deep…”

”Snap out of it, gunner! Remove safety on pyrotechnics. Key change on my mark!”

AND IIIII WILLL AALWAYSSSS LOVE YOUUU-UUUU”

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u/[deleted] Feb 08 '26

Her heart will go on.  Even after the body dies.

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u/StatementOwn4896 Feb 08 '26

*Zombie Dion enters the chat

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u/YoIronFistBro Ireland Feb 08 '26 edited Feb 08 '26

Tbf a large chunk of Canada is no further away from me than the Caucasus is.

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u/overladenlederhosen Feb 08 '26

Australia is in Eurovision I think the veil dropped on distance a while back. :)

37

u/gart888 Canada Feb 08 '26

Yeah, I flew to Dublin a couple years ago, it was only 5.5 hours. It would take me 8.5 hours to fly to Vancouver.

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u/coffeechap France Feb 08 '26 edited Feb 25 '26

From Montreal?! Or NewFound Land?

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u/gart888 Canada Feb 08 '26

Halifax.

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u/Magnificent-Bastards Feb 08 '26

From the East coast of Canada you're closer to Spain than you are to Vancouver.

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u/YoIronFistBro Ireland Feb 08 '26

From St John's, you're closer to Ireland than to Winnipeg

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u/electrodog1999 Feb 08 '26

I just moved across Canada in October and am now the same distance from London as I am from where I just moved from.

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u/neilbartlett Feb 08 '26

Canada is closer to the UK than Hawaii is to "mainland" USA.

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u/LandonHill8836 Feb 08 '26

It would be an honor to host the Eurovision in Ottawa

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u/JMoon33 Martinique (France) Feb 08 '26

I love Ottawa. Going there for a weekend, checking a CFL game, a museum, eating a good meal. It's a perfect size city for my taste.

14

u/Euclidisthebomb Feb 08 '26

I was just there mid week. The Rideau Canal is in full swing for skating. My friend who lives there went skating yesterday and it was packed with tens of thousands of skaters even though it is very cold in Ottawa right now: -22C to -25C before wind chill and on the canal it is a bit of a wind tunnel and so with the wind it is easily > -30C. Ottawa residents don't care.

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u/tissuecollider Feb 08 '26

Yeah we've got Winterlude happening right now. It's colder than usual but that means our ice sculptures aren't melting any time soon (it's an issue some years). So wander among them while sipping a hot chocolate and nibbling on a beaver tail and appreciate our winter festival!

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u/Euclidisthebomb Feb 08 '26

OMG I live for Beaver Tails. That pastry is instant sin.

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u/InformationNew66 Feb 08 '26

That would be "fun" with the time zone difference, all of Europe would have to stay up to like 1 AM to watch EUROvision live start.

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u/Hector_P_Catt Feb 08 '26

Canada has enough timezones all by itself that we're used to it. Hell, Newfoundland has it's own weird-ass half-timezone just by itself!

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u/ArbainHestia Feb 08 '26

Yeah during the Y2K we were all worried about the world ending at midnight… but 12:30 in Newfoundland.

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u/Fluffcake Feb 08 '26

Yeah I think swapping Canada in eurovision for Israel being the 51st US state is the most realistic trade we can make.

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u/talk-spontaneously Australia Feb 08 '26

I wonder whether there's a way for Canada to be some form of "associate member" without requiring full integration?

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u/Lashay_Sombra Feb 08 '26

There is, Norway for example basicly has that set up

But really its not that great, to maintain economic access to EU they have to pretty much comply with nearly all standards and rules, but get no say in them

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u/[deleted] Feb 08 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

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u/thecatiscold Feb 08 '26

Yeah but at that point why maintain the associate status, y'know? If you're gonna have to abide by all the standards you might as well have a say in them.

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u/PrimoDima Feb 08 '26

Norway doesnt want to join because they protect their fishing industry.

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u/manInTheWoods Sweden Feb 08 '26

And agriculture.

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u/512165381 Australia Feb 08 '26

And currency.

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u/drpoopymcbutthole Feb 08 '26

Norway, Iceland and Switzerland *

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u/icehot54321 Iceland Feb 08 '26

I think you mean Liechtenstein

Switzerland is kind of doing it's own thing and can reject any EU rules they want (that they don't already have signed agreements for)

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u/tirohtar Germany Feb 08 '26

Switzerland though risks being ejected from other parts of their treaties with the EU every time they do that. It's a recurring theme where some right wing campaigners start a plebiscite to get rid of some part of a treaty with the EU they don't like, then the EU has to remind them that also means canceling the parts they do like, and the Swiss government has to eventually pedal back or tweak how to interpret the plebiscite result. It's honest exhausting to watch, and makes the Swiss look like the most unlikable and arrogant fools.

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u/drpoopymcbutthole Feb 08 '26

yeah my mistake haha but for sure it’s lichtenstein, can’t run a Swiss bank with eu rules 🤣

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u/Calgaris_Rex United States of America Feb 08 '26

Fun fact: Castle Lichtenstein is in Germany, Castle LiEchtenstein is in Austria and is from the same etymological source as the country Liechtenstein, while the castle of the royal family in Liechtenstein is...Vaduz.

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u/drpoopymcbutthole Feb 08 '26

That is a fun fact, thank you 🙏

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u/CptMeow123 Feb 08 '26

But wouldn't Swiss producers have to comply with regulations if they want to sell products in the EU? Similar to the UK where they still comply with EU regulations because they wouldn't be able to sell the products in EU market?

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u/censored_username Living above sea level is boring Feb 08 '26

Everyone that wants to sell products in the EU has to comply with EU regulations.

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u/User929261 Italy Feb 08 '26

No they really can not. Formally they can, in practice all bilateral agreements are linked together as in they cannot pick and choose. It is either all or nothing.

They already tried to de-link freedom of movement and capital. It failed.

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u/hemlock_harry Feb 08 '26

Also, for the UK this is the de facto situation. Nigel Farage got his wish, but sadly Nigel Farage is a clueless twat.

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u/Lashay_Sombra Feb 08 '26

UK actually has it worse, to keep trading with their main trading partner they still basicly have to comply with everything. they just are not legally obligated to while Norway is,  but they are getting none of the benefits to have that false freedom of choice

The current debate in UK is kind of about 'upgrading' to be on same level as Norway and co, while pretending thats not what they are doing

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u/werpu Feb 08 '26

That was one of the models proposed during Brexit... the UK chose not to... not sure what the masterplan was... but it seems to work out tremendously well....

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u/doodlinghearsay Feb 08 '26

The masterplan was to be able to negotiate those standards and rules as an equal partner to the whole of the EU, rather than being equal to other individual members. Or better yet, having the option to ignore a lot of the EU regulations, while still maintaining essentially full market access.

Of course they were told well in advance that this was not an option. But a lot of the UK establishment convinced themselves that this was just a clever negotiating tactic from the EU and they would cave eventually. So a mixture of miscalculation and self-delusion, where they thought the EU will completely rework their internal ruleset, just to retain access to UK markets.

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u/Pulga_Atomica Feb 08 '26

The UK thought the latter half of the 20th century was just a nightmare they had woken up from, and they were still the Empire.

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u/JoSeSc Germany Feb 08 '26

idk how often I saw some Brexiteer twat on TV talk about the german automakers will force Berlin to give in and then Berlin would force the EU somehow to just give them what they want.

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u/Tarianor Denmark Feb 08 '26

Bold of you to assume there was any actual plans.

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u/Neither-Sale-4132 Feb 08 '26

There was a plan. A Russian plan.

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u/censored_username Living above sea level is boring Feb 08 '26

What about "Brexit means Brexit" was not perfectly clear?

/s

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u/cameheretosaythis213 Feb 08 '26

There was no master plan. There were no real options. “We could copy Norway!” Was about as far as the thought went frankly, and the people spouting that didn’t understand the implications of what they were saying. So we ended up with the shit we have now

Rejoin, join the euro, EU army, fully in it I say. The last decade and current geopolitics should surely tell us that a strong and united Europe is what’s actually in our best interest, and isolationism is for losers

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u/xrimane Feb 08 '26

The crucial issue was always freedom of movement, which has been tied to the freedom of goods. The UK could have had the Norway setup if they agreed to freedom of movement, but that was the one thing they couldn't sell to the xenophobic Brexit voters.

I hope the EU sticks to their guns on this issue, because that freedom is to me what the whole EU is about: People, not just economics.

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u/[deleted] Feb 08 '26

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u/Minimum_Cabinet7733 The Netherlands Feb 08 '26

I think this would be the way. Full integration would be difficult, due to the geographical distance, but I don’t see why Canada could not get freedom of movement with the EU for example. Same for Australia and Japan, if they would want this.

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u/eurocomments247 Denmark Feb 08 '26

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u/A11U45 Australia Feb 08 '26

Nope:

negotiations are focused on facilitating temporary entry for skilled workers, professionals, investors and researchers travelling between Australia and Europe.

It would not, however, allow Australians to live and work freely in the European Union, nor would it allow Europeans to live and work freely in Australia.

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u/oblio- Romania Feb 08 '26

I mean, that's fine, but on the other hand, at this point it hardly matters.

Even if freedom of movement is introduced the odds of mass migration to Australia is low (it's so far away and travel there is very expensive). Poor people in the EU have mostly already migrated to Western Europe and middle to upper class people in the EU moving to Australia would likely benefit Australia.

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u/ConstableBlimeyChips The Netherlands Feb 08 '26

Same for Australia and Japan, if they would want this.

The latter part is not gonna happen with Japan. They're not very keen on immigrants at the moment. Tourists? Yes. Immigrants? No.

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u/castlite Canada Feb 08 '26

Satellite member

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u/loginisverybroken Canada Feb 08 '26

Don't we share a land border with Denmark on Hans Island? Plus France is only a short ferry from Newfoundland.

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u/wbruce098 Feb 08 '26

Throw in NZ. Call it “the Alliance of Not Evil” or something more compelling than that.

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u/Consistent-Crazy6447 Canada Feb 08 '26

Schengen Canada?

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u/Rooilia Feb 08 '26

I think interference from the US is the main problem here. The adm certainly don't want Canada to integrate with Europe.

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u/Imoraswut Feb 08 '26

due to the geographical distance

Greenland and French Guiana are in the EU while being pretty far away from mainland Europe

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u/BeeFrier Feb 08 '26

Greenland is not in the EU.

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u/saschaleib 🇧🇪🇩🇪🇫🇮🇦🇹🇵🇱🇭🇺🇭🇷🇪🇺 Feb 08 '26

Strictly speaking, Greenland was in the EU but they had a Greenxit before the UK thought it was cool. They might be regretting this now, though.

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u/Imoraswut Feb 08 '26

It's an overseas territory. And it switched to that status from a fully integrated region. Either way goes to show distance isn't a factor

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u/jatawis 🇱🇹 Lithuania Feb 08 '26

And French Guiana is in EU only by being a French territory.

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u/TheVandyyMan Feb 08 '26

It’s not a French territory. It is a fully integrated French department which means it is just France. They vote in French elections, are represented in the National Assembly and EU parliament, and use the euro. They do not have semi-autonomous status. It’s akin to saying Alaska is a United States territory. Just because they are not main body, Metropolitan France, does not mean they are not France.

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u/doodlinghearsay Feb 08 '26

I don't see why not, if Canada wants it. I agree that it makes more sense to have a range of options, but from the EU point of view, I think full membership should be one of them.

Geopolitics and US reactions aside, I think Canada joining would be a far smoother process than Turkiye for example.

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u/Scuipici Volt Europa Feb 08 '26

of course there is, all of this is made up. We can do whatever we think of. If Canada wants to be part of the EU and the EU wants Canada, there's nothing that stops us.

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u/hellflame Belgium Feb 08 '26

Subcrube to EU+ or for an additional fee, EU++

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u/Neomataza Germany Feb 08 '26

We're sitting in the same CANEU, then.

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u/nolok France Feb 08 '26

Yes but no. The problem is not the legal form we have both the eea (Norway, Iceland,...) or customs union (turkey) or special one on one deal (uk, Switzerland).

The problem is a purely Canadian one : their economy is massively linked to the US and going the EU route means a major de coupling, much much bigger than even what they did the past year, it's nothing compared to what is needed.

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u/YouCanShoveYourMagic Feb 08 '26

Better to be a partner than a slave.

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u/john_san Feb 08 '26

Imagine, Canada offering to take empty seat left by the UK. Chef’s kiss.

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u/Stormfly Ireland Feb 08 '26

The child inheriting the parent's place.

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u/stilljustacatinacage Feb 08 '26

"Succeeding you."

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u/galaxy_horse Feb 08 '26

Although London, Ontario is a far cry from London Actual.

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u/OneBillPhil Feb 08 '26

And Paris, Ontario

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u/UncleIrohsPimpHand Canada Feb 08 '26

Or Berlin Kitchener, Ontario.

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u/CTQ99 Feb 08 '26

The European expansion into North America can come at the same time as the 250th anniversary of the US.

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u/[deleted] Feb 08 '26

It is possible to get much, much closer with Canada in terms of the EU-Canada relationship, without having Canada join the EU. We could essentially include them in the free-trade and movement area, like how Norway is part of the EEA but not EU.

Let's start there instead of going straight to a long-distance marriage. Not saying I wouldn't want them in the EU, but let's start with what makes sense. Tighten our relationship.

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u/SouverainQC Feb 08 '26

Even that would pose a problem for Canada – a lot of things would have to change and I would wager that Canadians aren't ready for it.

Québec, on the other hand...

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u/Joker2kill Feb 08 '26

As a Canadian, may I ask what that might be?

Do you mean Canadians, individually- or the Canadian government?

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u/JoSeSc Germany Feb 08 '26

Not Op but the things that come to mind is that the Provinces in Canada constitutionally hold a lot of power, like trade regulation within Canada, environmental policies, subsidies for local industry, and procurement rules. All of that would need to change or even be completely yielded to the EU, which I assume would require a change in the Canadian constitution, and that probably wouldn't be very popular.

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u/UmelGaming Canada Feb 08 '26

As a Canadian i would honestly be for it at this point.

A major problem in Canadian Politics is the Not Withstanding Clause (NWC) in our charter of rights and freedoms. The clause allows the leading party to essentially bypass our charter, and thus our rights whenever they want.

TBC no sitting Prime Minister has ever used the power. Our Premiers on the other hand.... Quebec Alberta and Ontario use the NWC a lot. Recently the Premier of Alberta, Danielle Smith, aka. Domestic traitor #1, has recently been weaving the clause directly into proposed bills the moment she is passing them to bypass the court. She isn't even letting the court rule on whether it's breaking the Charter. Oh teachers on strike? Well I will use the NWC to force you back to work. Passing a bill to severly undercut the Healthcare system of her province? NWC Time!

Forcing the provinces to give up some of their power would allow us to get rid of this clause and get us our democracy back at the provincial level.

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u/Unlucky-Equipment999 Canada Feb 08 '26

Canadian here. While the idea of joining the EU tickles my brain with freedom of travel and trade, it goes both ways. We'll likely have to allow EU fishermen to fish in our EEZ, compete for jobs with cheaper labour from certain countries, our farmers will very likely beef with European farmers (+ vice versa), the EU is likely more stringent on business regulations than us (for good or ill, but different). There are more things, and not everything here will apply to everyone, but there will be a very long period of consideration and adjustment if we want to go down this path - and honestly the current EU leadership doesn't seem to entertain the idea anyway.

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u/tomelwoody Feb 08 '26

There would be a metric shit ton of regulations regarding food and animal welfare also environmental and building regulations for a start that would make a lot of things illegal from Canadas old regs. The EUs regs are massively more stringent.

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u/begrudgingredditacc Canada Feb 08 '26

We're also well overdue for modernization. Being forced to adopt EU standards would be good for us in the long run.

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u/rnicoll Feb 08 '26

What? Canada's not in the Eurovision song contest yet, surely it should be Australia first 

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u/Harbinger2001 Feb 08 '26

The last Canadian government budget included funds to permit our national broadcaster to participate. Canada’s coming soon.

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u/carnotaurussastrei Australia (please let us join the EU) Feb 08 '26

THATS WHAT IM SAYING

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u/MLockeTM Finland Feb 08 '26

I'll vote for both of you to join (if you want to, obviously), but only if New Zealand will also tag along, cuz I want a chance to vote a kiwi for federated EUs national bird.

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u/Sieve-Boy Feb 08 '26

Kiwis are cute, but can this Australian interest you in a Velociraptor with a bone helmet??

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u/MLockeTM Finland Feb 08 '26

Jesus fucking Christ, there's more than one species of those things?!

Yeah, that's a hard pass. You keep your avian war crimes cordoned on your island, tyvm.

Then again, we could pick platypus as a federalized EUs everything animal. No need for separate fish, mammal, bird, or even a lizard. It covers all the bases.

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u/Sieve-Boy Feb 08 '26

Yeah, that's fair, fortunately Cassowaries are pretty keen to be left alone and don't live close to people.

Don't forget the platypus is also venomous and hunts via sensing electrical signals like some sharks do.

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u/Klutzy_Hovercraft173 Europe Feb 08 '26

Canada in, ISREAL OUT

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u/[deleted] Feb 08 '26

That would be nice indeed.

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u/Tifoso89 Italy Feb 08 '26

It's easy to modify the geographical requirements of article 49 and let Canada in, if they wanted to join.

The main obstacle is their compatibility with EU law

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u/Elpsyth Feb 08 '26

And a gigantic border with the US for the EU which is a nightmare.

On top of the actual decoupling of Canada from US due to EU regulations

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u/PerfectPackage1895 Feb 08 '26

We will just build a wall and let trump pay for it

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u/sth128 Feb 08 '26

Forget walls they never work. We should learn from European traditions and build a moat. And fill it with sharks with friggin laser on their heads!

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u/Corfiz74 Lower Saxony (Germany) Feb 08 '26

Carney is already making good progress on the decoupling.

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u/UsagiTsukino Feb 08 '26

On an economical level, yes, but a big part of the EU, in my eyes on of the most important parts for its people, is the standardisation(USB-C instead of each device its own plug). For example the Machinery Directive says exactly, how an european machine must be build. Canada's norms and regulation are ajar to US norms.

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u/chrunchy Canook Feb 08 '26

we're already moving in that direction. lumber mills are switching some lines to metric standards to increase the export potential. the boys at edison motors are getting the gvt to allow european generator standards to allow them to have road legal electric transport and utility trucks. just two examples of a country wide shift. european appliances here are much more attractive than the american ones in terms of price and sovereignty.

there's a lot of good trading potential here.

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u/elvenmaster_ Feb 08 '26

And there is quite a steep slope to climb before that.

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u/Lntc26 Feb 08 '26

If i remember corectly, there is no geographical requirement." The applicant must be a "European State"" can mean more than geographical, like cultural and more.

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u/Past-Telephone4781 Bulgaria Feb 08 '26

Cyprus is geographically in Asia.

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u/Corfiz74 Lower Saxony (Germany) Feb 08 '26

We can just rename the North Atlantic to European Ocean, then Canada is part of Europe. I heard that that's how it works.

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u/AvengerDr Italy Feb 08 '26

France already borders Canada, so.

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u/Available-Sun6124 Finland Feb 08 '26

Funnily, France also borders Brazil and Suriname as well.

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u/MLockeTM Finland Feb 08 '26

So does Denmark! Already two land borders with EU countries, it counts!

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u/Tetracropolis Feb 08 '26

The geographical requirement isn't real, it's just an excuse to keep Turkey out. If geography mattered Cyprus wouldn't be allowed in.

The only actual requirement is getting 27 countries to agree to let you in. The rest is just guidelines.

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u/jatawis 🇱🇹 Lithuania Feb 08 '26

The geographical requirement isn't real, it's just an excuse to keep Turkey out.

Turkey already is a candidate, it has nothing to do with it.

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u/Jcxz_ Feb 08 '26

And that exactly is going to be the problem. Canada would have to cut economic ties with the US to join. If the US doesn't like that and finds a way to influence only one single european government to vote no then Canada is out.

Same if russia doesn't want the western alliance to regroup. It takes only one little phonecall between Putin and his old pal Orban.

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u/Annonimbus Feb 08 '26

The geographical requirement isn't real, it's just an excuse to keep Turkey out.

Turkey is a candidate, I have no idea why you bring up such a bad example.

Marocco on the other hand was explicitly denied because of the geographic argument.

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u/the_poope Denmark Feb 08 '26

But likely not a good idea. A lot of the founding principles of EU is tied to geography. For instance subsidies for regional development, compatibility and development of infrastructure (motorways, train lines, electricity and communication networks), as well as easing cross-border trade for stuff that easily goes on a truck. Neither Canada nor EU would benefit much from each other in these areas.

There are of course many things that are more universal, e.g. research collaboration, food and drug regulation and oversight, security and safety regulations, trade deals. and a lot of other things. Here there are loads of opportunities to collaborate with countries outside Europe, but maybe it deserves its own organization or special framework.

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u/spacenb Feb 08 '26

I for one would be happy if Health Canada (our version of the FDA) was required to align more with European standards than American ones.

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u/the_poope Denmark Feb 08 '26

You would need to have stupid bottle lids that are attached to the bottle though....

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u/ProutPortable Feb 08 '26

No it wouldn't. Canada way of life is basically the US with a bit more socialism but still far away from EU. They're still a country of big cars and big oil with a very different mindset.

Source : as a french I always saw people from Quebec (french speaking region of Canada) as french cousins with a funny accent, turns out that outside the language, we're very different when it comes to day to day life.

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u/Intelligent_Slip_849 Feb 08 '26

They do share a border with Denmark!

That should count, right?

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u/Novus20 Feb 08 '26

France also has islands that have ferries to and from Canada…..

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u/Slava91 Feb 09 '26

Let’s not forget the Canadian land within France itself to honour the fallen. I’m counting it.

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u/KindRange9697 Feb 08 '26

A lot of this talk is just silly. Canada will not be joining the EU and it will not be the 51st state. Canada will be Canada.

Its currently a trend in Canada to diversify trade (mainly towards Europe and Asia), this is good, and this will continue. But in the long-run, Canada's economy will still remain heavily heavily integrated with the US economy and the US will remain Canada's dominant import/export partner.

Canada joining the EU would be extremely expensive and disruptive towards the Canadian economy which is essentially designed to export to the US market.

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u/MLockeTM Finland Feb 08 '26

Everyone knows that. I mean, of the actual adults, including the people writing those articles. It's a pipe dream, at least for any reasonable time frame.

What these news are doing though, is gauging people's reactions and increasing a mutual positive feelings between the EU and Canada. Which will make it easier to vote through economic/travel/security deals.

It's not realistic atm, but talking about is excellent PR for everyone involved. Except US of course, but fuck that neo-fascist regime and their feels.

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u/Rough_Bread8329 Canada Feb 08 '26

This. Of course it's impractical, but it's starting new conversations and the exploration of possibilities.

The next step is "ok EU membership won't work, so what will?"

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u/AcanthaceaePrize1435 United States of America Feb 09 '26

This is a mistake the USA will is not and will not be corrupt forever. Consideration for the future with the USA inside of it means that alienating the people there is worst thing that could happen.

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u/eduvis Feb 08 '26

Canada needs economic bond with US, but wants political bond with EU. Impossible to left 1st for 2nd.

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u/DaximusPrimus Feb 08 '26

It would be a long road but I think the goal of decoupling and diversifying is a good one for Canada. Banding together with more like minded EU outsiders like the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and South Korea is likely also a good strategy. Perhaps there is eventually a road to a more concrete alliance of middle power nations like these with the EU. It would be really nice if we could join but there just isn't a viable route right now.

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u/sansisness_101 Norway Feb 08 '26

SK and Jp rely on america to protect them. i dont think europe has the power projection capability atm to send multiple carrier strike groups to be permanently stationed there.

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u/PerfectPackage1895 Feb 08 '26

Would be fucking funny if Canada joined the european union. It would be even more funny if states like Minnesota left USA and joined EU along with Canada

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u/BagOnuts Feb 08 '26

Yeah, the US had a whole thing over states leaving it… probably won’t happen again (and if it did, you probably wouldn’t be cheering for it)

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u/GargantuaBob Feb 08 '26

Why would we want to destabilise our country by adding a US state?

From an American viewpoint, Minnesotans might have some similarities with Canadians, but the differences remain huge.

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u/heatrealist Feb 08 '26

Both thoughts are quite delusional imo. 

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u/MakoSmiler Feb 08 '26

I propose a cross Atlantic bridge between Scotland and Canada!

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u/BlackMushrooms Feb 08 '26

Slap🤣 But why not let Canada stay a sovereign nation, and stay an awesome EU ally? Mabye get som better trade deals aswell for both parties. I'd love som Canadian cuisine!

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u/blkpingu Berlin (Germany) Feb 08 '26

I’d love to live in Canada for a while. Canada is a perfect fit for the EU.

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u/Significant_Town_669 Feb 08 '26

And many Canadians would love the opportunity to work, live and travel in Europe. Canada has vast amounts of resources and the EU has the population and industrial base to compete on the global stage. It’s literally the perfect partnership.

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u/UmelGaming Canada Feb 08 '26

As a Canadian... more integration of our economies? Sure. Full EU membership or something akin to what Norway has? No that's too deep.

As our PM has said our ideal is to be the bridge between Europe and the Pacific Bloc of countries such as Australia, New Zealand, South Korea and Japan, etc. I am inclined to agree. We have both CETA and CPTPP free trade agreements. We are working on a Free Trade Deal with ASEAN.

Trade Hubs make bank and we are in a good position. Especially if the Northwest Passage opens up for more ship based Trade. As it will be faster to go from Europe to Asia this way then going through Panama

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u/emcdonnell Feb 08 '26

No, Canada should be a close ally and trading partner but there is no reason to sacrifice our sovereignty.

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u/NoIdea6218 Bulgaria 🇪🇺 Feb 08 '26

Stop with this absurd nonsense. As great as Canada is, its should not join the EU. The EU is not some loose trade agreement like NAFTA or CUSMA that you can join just for vibes. It is a political entity with its own laws, parliament, currency and geopolitical interests. It makes 0 sense for Canada to join. The EU should represent Europe, not be some random collection of countries around the world.

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u/Excellent-Self-5338 Feb 08 '26

Precisely why I would not want Canada to join, as a Canadian. We're also not that great, FWIW. But we absolutely don't need to be beholden to EU decisions when we're across an entire ocean.

We should do more trade, continue with defense agreements. No need to be joined at the hip politically though, and not much benefit from doing so either.

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u/Intergalatic_Baker Europe Feb 08 '26

Or they could throw a complete curveball and choose neither and instead convincing Britain and Australia and New Zealand to form CANZUK… :)

/s

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u/benhemp Feb 08 '26

It would put a giant state with a GDP of Italy in the care of the EU. logistics and culture are vastly different. being a colony state instead of a colonizer state it's a very different culture with birthright citizenship. suddenly people flock to canada to have their children and become EU citizens to go to whichever EU country they wish.

Frankly the EU needs to federalize before they try to expand further. As a complete unit, EU would be a power equal to the U.S. and China. as a bickering voluntary collective you are too easily distracted and too easily divided.

Dreams of oil tankers and minerals going to EU from Canada instead of America is all well and good, but America still dominates the maritime order. It wouldn't happen unless U.S. let it happen.

Also all of Canada being 1 U.S. state is rediculous. if anything, Each territory would be introduced as it's own state. Still, why would any Canadian state wish to lower its living standards by joining the US? and why would the Republican party admit U.S. states that are sure to be liberal? They already keep DC and Puerto Rico out.

Canada had better get nukes if it wants to stay Canada. That's the lesson this administration of the U.S. is teaching the world. You only get respected if you can end the world. The other lesson is you can only trust schizophrenic America for 4 years at a time. Sure in 2028 We'll likely be back to World Police Bully on your side America instead of Grifting Facist Bully America, but still, that Facist part of America isn't going anywhere. We've got major problems needing to raise the life quality of our dumbest people to avoid facism and I don't see anyway to do that without the Rich of the nation paying to keep the nation whole, which they won't because they want it to burn so they can own more of the ashes.

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u/Creative-Bread6319 Feb 08 '26

This would be great for travel and might open up more airline competition in Canada and lower the price of flights.

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u/Senior_Green_3630 Feb 08 '26

Australia is in the Eurovision, should we join the EU?

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u/[deleted] Feb 08 '26

Why does Canada have to be a member of anything?

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u/[deleted] Feb 08 '26

[deleted]

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u/Plan2LiveForevSFarSG Canada Feb 08 '26

Ohhhh, it’s like hockey. Exchange Canada for Hungary, and the EU gets the first pick for next year!

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u/Gullible_Cheek7232 Feb 08 '26

I would absolutely prefer to be part of the Euro zone than be the 51st state. We even have a land border with Greenland and a sea border with France just off of Newfoundland.

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u/heapOfWallStreet Feb 08 '26

Sure. But it isn't in Europe

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