Why Canada Should Join the EU

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

Comparison of Indigenous Issues: Canada vs Europe

  • Several commenters dispute the article’s suggestion that Europe could “learn” from Canada’s treatment of Indigenous peoples.
  • Argument: Europe’s situation is structurally different—most peoples have nation-states; remaining “tribal” groups (e.g., Sami, Basques, Roma, Travellers) don’t map cleanly onto First Nations in Canada.
  • Some note EU countries still have overseas territories where colonial dynamics persist, which may be a better parallel.
  • Others say Canada’s own record is still poor, so holding it up as a model is questionable.

Immigration, Racism, and Social Cohesion in Canada

  • Many Canadians in the thread say the once‑positive consensus on immigration has “frayed” or collapsed, driven by:
    • Very high recent immigration and temporary foreign worker/student volumes.
    • Severe housing shortages and infrastructure/healthcare strain.
    • Perceived enclaves and lack of integration, especially around large Indian/Punjabi inflows.
  • Polls are cited showing a majority now think immigration is “too high.”
  • There is debate over whether concerns are economic/systemic vs. fundamentally racist; some see “racism” accusations as a way to shut down legitimate criticism.
  • Comparisons with Europe: Canada’s immigration is described as more legal/managed and historically more skills‑based; Europe has more unauthorized and refugee flows, but both now face backlash.

Housing, Demographics, and Economics

  • Housing crises (Canada, parts of Europe, Australia, NL) repeatedly tied to:
    • Zoning and land‑release constraints.
    • Speculation and real‑estate as a preferred asset.
    • Rapid population growth via migration.
  • Disagreement whether immigration is a primary driver vs. a scapegoat layered atop structural housing policy failures.
  • Some argue aging, low‑fertility societies “need” immigrants to sustain welfare states; others say this just masks deeper problems and risks cultural displacement.

EU Structure, Sovereignty, and Feasibility of Canada Joining

  • Multiple commenters call the article a humorous or “modest proposal” rather than realistic policy.
  • Objections revolve around:
    • EU bureaucracy, perceived democratic deficit, and partial loss of national sovereignty.
    • Geographic and “European” identity criteria (Cyprus and potential Armenia/Georgia accessions are cited as edge cases).
    • Strong Canadian economic and security integration with the US; joining the EU seen as politically and strategically implausible, especially under the US Monroe Doctrine mindset.
  • Some highlight that Canada already has CETA (a free‑trade deal) with the EU, making full membership unnecessary relative to deepened trade or Schengen‑style mobility.

Alternative Alignments and Meta‑Politics

  • Alternatives floated: CANZUK (Canada–Australia–NZ–UK), EFTA, tighter North American union (or even de facto US annexation), or simply better-managed existing arrangements.
  • Several point to rising nationalism and populism (US, Europe, Canada) and see the timing of proposing deeper supranational integration as politically tone‑deaf.
  • A few praise Schengen/free movement but explicitly distinguish it from full EU political integration.