[Gonzo]

I propose that Canada seperate from North America. We should become a European country. It would be great! Then we would all be driving smaller cars. There wouldn't be this stupid debate about adopting the american dollar (which would be a big mistake). We could just use the Euro. Since North America is the fattest continent we would all have to loose a few pounds in order to be admitted. I'd love to be European. We'd be so exotic. Not bland like North America, behind in the times. Instead of being that big, empty, cold country north of the states we'd be that cool European country on the other side of the ocean. Wouldn't that be cool? Can a country seperate from a continent without an earthquake being the cause?

[Rev_Blair]

It makes sense. A lot of our social programs and political stances have much in common with European countries and our history is entwined deeply with European history. Since the conservatives in Canada seem to be unable to see this country as a viable entity on its own, that would give them something to lean on while allowing the rest of us to step away from the inevitable fall of the American empire.

I say we should lobby for admittance into the European Union.

[Gonzo]

The European union is the way of the future. We live in a world that is much smaller then 50 years ago. Oceans dont seperate us like it once did. Visiting Montreal and Quebec city reminded me of European cities I've been to. Victoria is very much English. Canada is living proff that french and english can live together in relative piece. Yes there was the october crisis but that is nothing compared to the wars England and France fought. We are much more liberal then the U.S. and more European in many ways. In Ontario women can go topless if they want. That would never happen in a conservative, repressed country like the U.S.

[Canadaka]

I just got back from traveling around Europe for 2 months, learnt a lot about there ways and the EU, went to Mini Europe that had an EU museum type thing. I definatly think Canada should strengthen ties with the EU.

Hehe i only wish we could join

[Scape]

Think it will be an election issue? Think hard. Will the corporations who sponsor our national political parties be happy to see their control, that has been mostly supported by trade agreements with the US, undermined by the EU sitting at the trade table? I think they would have a great deal to lose out of that and would not have 1st dibs on the pork barrel they call Canada. We can't even stand up to our own banks how are we going to stand up to trade blocks? It is hard to revolt on a full stomach and most people will not see the logic in rocking the boat like this even though it is in Canada's best interests. I believe we could go halfway here and strengthen our ties that are already there to the Commonwealth and the francophone's rather than joining outright. If we join anyone we should join countries more on par with us economically and with a similar outlook in general like an Australia.

[Mattimer]

I say we dig a big line across the canadian-american border, put on some sails and sail across the ocean till we hit europe, then we super glue ourselves to them

[Rev_Blair]

We don't have to think too hard, Scape...corporations would hate it and so would the politicians they own.

That doesn't mean that it isn't worth pushing for though. That way when the US collapses there will already be some discussion happening on the subject.

[Scarecrow]

Wait... does this mean we're the 'perfect'(well, not really) European country? All the elements came together and became Canada? The only problem is we're stuck next to an insane war-hungry nation with a moron for a leader.

[Rev_Blair]

Nobody's perfect. We should keep trying to be though.

[-Mario-]

Maybe we only need to switch to the Euro. In just over 10 years, it is now worth more than the US dollar. And if Quebec, BC, Alberta or NF separates... they still be part of the Euro... So the new money is not affected. We already have the rest.

-M-

[Rev_Blair]

That's preferable to adopting the US dollar, Mario. We would still have to join the EU in order to have a say in monetary policy though.

[DMP08]

Is it legal for a country to join a different continental union? We couldn't really technically join a different continent, could we?

[Scape]

Why not? There is Saint Pierre and Miquelon that are still French. Money is money, however if we sign off control of the loonie we lose control of monetary policy. Not to say what we are doing now is great either because every day 6 more companies are being sold off and eventually we won't have a country left to control anyway but I digress. Using the Bank of Canada is a far saner idea than joining the EU or being squeezed to death by the US economy under NAFTA as neither is a good deal for us.

[figfarmer]

Didn't we just spend a couple of hundred years getting free from Europe? As recently as 1929 my Grandmother and Grandfather turned their backs on England and Sweden respectively and made their way to this new world.

[-Mario-]

A lot has changed in the past 75 years...

-M-