Eh. Canada is already part of the British Commonwealth. In theory, in the event of any invasions, the British crown is supposed to come to Canada’s aid. But realistically, in a war with the US, there wouldn’t be much the UK government could really do about it unless it wanted to start throwing nukes around. 1812 was a long time ago. The Royal Navy is not going to sink the US Navy and force supply lines open. Britain isn’t torching the White House the second time around. The red coats aren’t coming to save Canadian independence. Today, the US’s military capabilities absolutely dwarf those of the UK. In Canada’s case, the Commonwealth’s security guarantees are largely symbolic, at least in the scenario of a US invasion.
Canada in the EU would be a similar model. It would mostly just be about the customs union, free trade, free movement of people, etc. Sure, nominally, the EU would be required to defend Canada in the event of an attack against its territory. But in practice there really wouldn’t be much the EU could do.
But that’s no reason not to do it. I see no reason Canada couldn’t join the EU. There would be immense immediate benefits in terms of economy, culture, trade, and all the other peacetime benefits of EU integration. Yes, the defense guarantees the EU provides would be largely symbolic in Canada’s case. But it’s not like joining the EU would make Canada less safe.
Eh. Canada is already part of the British Commonwealth. In theory, in the event of any invasions, the British crown is supposed to come to Canada’s aid. But realistically, in a war with the US, there wouldn’t be much the UK government could really do about it unless it wanted to start throwing nukes around. 1812 was a long time ago. The Royal Navy is not going to sink the US Navy and force supply lines open. Britain isn’t torching the White House the second time around. The red coats aren’t coming to save Canadian independence. Today, the US’s military capabilities absolutely dwarf those of the UK. In Canada’s case, the Commonwealth’s security guarantees are largely symbolic, at least in the scenario of a US invasion.
Canada in the EU would be a similar model. It would mostly just be about the customs union, free trade, free movement of people, etc. Sure, nominally, the EU would be required to defend Canada in the event of an attack against its territory. But in practice there really wouldn’t be much the EU could do.
But that’s no reason not to do it. I see no reason Canada couldn’t join the EU. There would be immense immediate benefits in terms of economy, culture, trade, and all the other peacetime benefits of EU integration. Yes, the defense guarantees the EU provides would be largely symbolic in Canada’s case. But it’s not like joining the EU would make Canada less safe.