Canada doesn't have $1 trillion to buy Montana, as suggested in a recent online petition. We've seen calls to have Alberta transferred to the United States, though that is about oil, oil, and oil.
That would be an unfair trade for Canada. The U.S. would get 2 more NHL teams, a lot of oil, and amazing scenery. Canada would get, well, Montana.
If Canada were to expand into the United States, Canada should pick off the West Coast triumvirate of Washington, Oregon, and California. All 3 states are Canada friendly in policy: all 3 states have legal recreational marijuana. The states are also environmentally friendly. Canada could have domestic fruit from California.
The usual drawback to Canada is that the country is too cold. Not in Los Angeles. And Hollywood would produce Canadian films that Canadians would want to see.
We see this infighting between Canada and the United States because, unlike the people in Europe, people can't just move back and forth between the countries.
Europe has a Schengen area where goods and people can move across borders. If you live in France and want to move to Germany, you can. No red tape, no begging to be a refugee.
United Kingdom Brexit decision has little impact on Quebec
How the United Kingdom Brexit decision affects Canada
Detroit-Windsor crossing shouldn't be inspiration for post-Brexit borders
As the United Kingdom is finding out with Brexit, goods and people moving freely has distinct advantages. We've already seen companies moving headquarters and employees out of England to places such as Dublin, Ireland and Rotterdam, Netherlands.
The March 29 Brexit deadline for the United Kingdom looms large without a deal. The Ireland-Northern Ireland border needs to be softer than 5-ply bathroom tissue. Goods and services back and forth between the UK and EU.
The best option would be a second vote, which would go against the concept that such a vote shouldn't be a plurality, especially with the lies and deception from the leave side in the first vote.
The current CETA trade agreement with Canada and the European Union wouldn't apply to trade with the United Kingdom once Brexit happens. A future trade deal might seem too little, too late.
British people who live in Europe. Europeans who live in the UK. These people may not want to move but might be required to change.
Seeing Canada's Governor General in person (Schengen question)
There are plenty of Americans who would love to live in Canada in a heartbeat, such as the person typing these words. There are plenty of Canadians who think life is better in the United States.
Let's give them a shot. Even if you limit movements between citizens and that movement factors in 3-4 million combined, what would be the advantages?
- Happier people who want to be where they are. People might complain after they relocate but likely not. And even if they did complain, they could move back.
- More productivity. People who are where they want to be get more done.
- Fewer stories about selling states or provinces to the other country.
If nothing else, these North American countries could show the United Kingdom where cohesion is a smashing idea. Like the UK, each country can keep its own currency. The pesky concern would be health care where Canadians who left would want to keep the health care and the Americans who run north would want that health care system.
CanadianCrossing.com Canadian politics coverage
Schengen is about free movement between countries, but Americans and Canadians entering the Schengen zone starting January 21, 2021 will require an ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) "visa."
The U.S. and Canada require something similar for EU citizens.
We would love a system that fewer visas and hurdles to roam the globe.
video and photo credit: Full Frontal with Samantha Bee
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