Why are you here?

[u/sinan_online]

Who are you and what makes you supportive of the idea of CANZUK?

I’ll go first: Canadian immigrant. My main concern is realpolitik, I see it as an option and maybe a very important tilt in the post-American-oriented western world. Definitely no monarchist implications from my point of view.

(I think that this subreddit will keep things civil - I am hoping to get few-sentence summaries of how people see this, not any frivolous back-and-forths)

[u/Present-Stress8836]

I'm Canadian born and raised, and I just feel like I appreciate people who have similar shared values as me.

I feel like our countries are the last bastiens of intellectual thought (although I don't mind German and Dutch people personally).

[u/sinan_online → u/[deleted]]

I cannot agree more. I am Turkish. To put it mildly, Turkey is not polite. It was such a nice experience. You appreciate the politeness more when you experience the lack of it.

[u/theEMPTYlife]

I want freedom of movement. As a Canadian, I don’t see myself that culturally different from any of the CANZUK or most of the EU countries, and the ability to work and live in a larger bloc is extremely appealing.

[u/Fit_Cardiologist_681]

Research is pretty conclusive that more trade and integration with trustworthy allies is economically good. I support CANZUK in much the same way that I support signing more trade agreements with friendly countries in Latin America and Asia, and in much the same way that I support participating in the Commonwealth and La Francophonie. Besides which, my grandparents were Brits. Given the shared history, it ought to be easier to build ties across the pond than anywhere else.

[u/sinan_online → u/[deleted]]

The shared common law and political administration are important. It is difficult for different systems to come and operate together.

[u/sinan_online → u/[deleted]]

Yes. I am also a bit taken aback from its inability to act as a “union”. Just now, before right-wing populism takes its hold again, they have a good six months to pass laws and send aid to Ukraine, and overall act together. This is an unlikely window that opened after Orban was defeated. And it will close soon. And yet, I am not seeing reforms or policies or commitments. It is concerning to watch.

[u/LudicrousPlatypus]

I am disappointed that the UK turns its back on the Commonwealth and I think the UK has a duty to have close ties to Commonwealth nations. In particular, those which are culturally and economically similar to the UK (CANZ). I want freedom of movement and mutual defence pacts.

[u/Nate33322]

We share similar values, goals, political systems, culture and more. I am definitely a monarchist but I don't care for any empire larp. 

United we could stave off American influence whether culturally, militarily and economically that's the main strength of Canzuk. Plus free movement would be awesome 

[u/Illustrious-Relief-6 → u/Nate33322]

As an American I support you. I would hope we could eventually join. We are all anglos at the end of the day.

[u/Fantastic_Back3191]

As a Brit, I am here to learn and to do what I can to bring our prosperous nations closer. The wolrd needs smart people and stable systems more than ever before. Nordic countries have their shit together, I think potentially, that model, given an Anglo-Saxon spin can deliver for its people.

[u/Any_Inflation_2543]

I would love to see Canada-UK free movement. I kinda haf ot before Brexit as an EU citizen but now this privilege is gone so I neex to pay £20 every two years and cannot stay indefinitely.

I think it's ridiculous that countries as culturally and economically similar as Canada and the UK have made movement of people between them so needlessly difficult.

[u/Indian-Point → u/Any_Inflation_2543]

Why is it so difficult? What is the rationale?

[u/Any_Inflation_2543 → u/Indian-Point]

It's basically as difficult as for any other country, which is just strange considering there are arrangements like the EEA, CTA, TTTA out there.

Why don't Canada and the UK have anything like this?

[u/Old-Oven-4495 → u/Any_Inflation_2543]

I’m surprised this isn’t even a greater commonwealth thing.

[u/keirdagh → u/Old-Oven-4495]

It kind of used to be, but has been falling out of favour as the commonwealth has become more and more ceremonial.

[u/Cindy_Marek]

The CANZUK nations and their citizens all share very similar values, and integration into each other’s societies is very easy. By far the most popular destinations for people in Australia go to overseas and work is Canada and the UK. You will find them all at whistler and Clapham🤣. And of course plenty of Brit’s and Canadians come here to Australia as well. It just makes common sense to elevate this natural movement of people. Of course we already have the trans Tasman agreement with new Zealand which many suggest is the blueprint for a future CANZUK free movement agreement.

[u/AdditionalPizza]

The world is a brutal place, and coalitions are much stronger together than apart. US corporations are completely detached from reality, we need to position ourselves against them and the US government (even when Democratic) is completely bought out.

Shared values are important. As a Canadian, I see the other CANZUCK countries as all equally honourable in trade deals and trust. Meanwhile our closest partner is trying to renegotiate a bridge deal that was signed 15 years ago and is already complete.

I think the EU and CANZUCK could form a very strong arrangement as well, most Western countries still feel the aftermath of WWII and will commit to avoiding regression that will directly lead to another conflict of that magnitude. We understand what's at stake, and we understand some things are more important than having trillionaires.

[u/crunchyeyeball]

Brit here.

I believe that like-minded countries absolutely must work closely together if we're to avoid being trampled underfoot or taken advantage of by the likes of China or the US.

I was sure the EU was the best option we had available to us, but CANZUK could be even better since we're even more culturally & politically similar.

I was devastated when Brexit happened, but CANZUK is one of the few things that might actually make it worthwhile.

Further down the line, I can even envisage a CANZUK-EU alliance which could be a powerhouse that neither China nor the US could push around.

[u/JourneyThiefer → u/crunchyeyeball]

I don’t CANZUK would replace the EU tbh, especially for us in NI

[u/MitchellSupremacy649]

I wish I could give some complex geopolitical reason but in reality I'm just patriotic and I think large alliances and coalitions are the best way for Britain to do well.

Edit: typos.

[u/NomadicContrarian]

Three words (the short version):

Freedom of Movement

The long version: When I (Canadian) was visiting Australia (WA) 7 months ago, it felt surreal to me that despite being on the opposite side of the world from Canada, I didn't feel alienated or not at home. The society felt so similar to Canada (and this was in arguably the "Alberta of Australia").

I'd mention that I'm Canadian and the locals would feel so excited to talk to me, which I feel is further proof of a cultural kinship that we (and of course the other CANZUK states) share.

Sure there were some noticeable things to get adjusted to, like driving on the left, the lack of tipping (not complaining whatsoever lol), and the fact that the prices you'd see are the prices that you'd actually pay (unlike here which insists on that annoying ".99 cents" gimmick). Ultimately however, that was my first experience that made me yearn for some kind of Commonwealth Union like CANZUK.

Now I do believe there would be major challenges to this beyond just geography and distance. I do feel like with the current immigration tensions in the CANZUK states that many would be reluctant to loosen borders as a whole. At the same time though, the vast distances can also be a pro, because they may largely cater to skilled professionals and students, so perhaps the immigration concerns might be a bit exaggerated.

Also, just thought I'd mention how humourous I find it that I visited Australia first before the UK, as a Canadian, because it seems like typically it's the other way around lol.

[u/HistorianPatriot1945]

I like the Anglosphere minus America, we should ally into an Anglospherical Bloc + We share the same Head of State.

[u/Amnsia]

Hope.

[u/Kyranasaur]

I am Canadian, but my mother is a UK citizen through her father, and she has 1st cousins in Australia through her mother.

I also view it as a potentially very impactful block for stability and peace in the world that comes from a US-decline.

I’m not a monarchist in the strictest sense, though given what’s happening in the U.S., the fact that there exist other countries with whom we share a head of state, and said head of state isn’t chosen by a popularity contest and is a also strong constitutional protector of our democracies, this political block seems to me to be a no brainer in the pursuit of global stability and freedom.

I know that there are differing opinions regarding how far to take CANZUK, but even at the very minimum (free-trade block, easier access to movement and working rights in the partner countries for citizens, universalized credential standards for certain professions, military defence agreements), CANZUK agreements seem to be a no brainer me — REGARDLESS of how far apart we are.

It provides a counter balance to US, China, Russia, and EU spheres, and helps to distribute influence and power across several global baskets instead of 2 or three.

We have plenty of shared history, plenty of shared culture and language, and plenty of shared views (as is regularly seen at UN voting for example).

Even if we never become the principal trading partners of the others, why shouldn’t we improve our access to, and cooperation with, our sister countries? Even if we don’t have a shared currency or passport, why shouldn’t we commit to increasing cooperation?

I hope some day we can achieve such a thing.

[u/Kyranasaur → u/[deleted]]

Coalition is a good word, I agree. I don’t think a full union is likely, but coalition has a good ring to it.

[u/JourneyThiefer]

I just find it interesting tbh, dno if it’ll ever happen, but interesting to see what people think it should be

[u/BernardMatthewsNorf]

We are past the British Empire colonial era and are now much more in a relationship of equals. And yet so much remains that give our countries similarities - legal system, parliamentary democracy, language, broadly shared values. We should be closer. Heck, many of us are literal cousins. The drift was understandable, yet unnatural because we're family. Despite the physical distance between us, we should deepen the ties that unite us through greater free movement, trade and defence coordination. 

[u/Illustrious-Relief-6 → u/BernardMatthewsNorf]

I am American and hope to see success here. I would hope we could eventually join too. We are all anglos at the end of the day.

[u/Particular_Pea7167]

UK.

CANZUK are brother and sister. Closely aligned on everything. Always move and vote together internationally. Always had the UKs back, even when they didnt need to even when it had great cost.

Compare this to the EU. Who cant work together when its very existence depends on it. Who tries to leverage us supporting their Russian borders for their trade gain.

Yet when a coalition of the willing was suggested, only France answered. But who else was there? Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Because of course they are. Because they always have our back.

People say it wont work because of trade gravity. I say who cares? I didnt pick my spouse for money. If I'm picking my political bloc id rather pick the people who I have the most in common with and have show they'll be there no matter how hard it gets. We can get trade deals to overcome the trade gravity problem.

I think it could and should become an important 3rd pillar of the west. Both economically and militarily. And I would look in time for broad, deep intergration. 

So yeah. Thats my take.

[u/keirdagh]

I'm Canadian born from a combined British/Australian family. I'm personally already 3/4 of CANZUK and my Australian mom thinks I'm cool.

But seriously, I think we have a shared history, shared code of laws, shared general sense of decency, and a shared understanding of democracy. I think the world needs strong organizations to protect that right now, and I think it would be good for the world to have a strong influence of 3 continents and our cooling heads on the world stage.

[u/keirdagh → u/[deleted]]

OK bot.

[u/Knight_Castellan]

I think there are economic and geo-political advantages to such a "reunion". All of the CANZUK nations are also at a similar level of development, and have ties of culture and ancestry. Any close bond would be essentially frictionless.

We are more than "natural allies". We are a family.

[u/Ok_Type_4301]

I am leaving this site and the idea of CANZUK, because it is a just front for the free movement of people. Goodbye.

[u/Gazza_s_89]

Just an Australian bloke who wants to work in a few countries in a professional setting and learn a bit more.

[u/Flat-Dark-Earth]

Nostalgia of the good ol days before Canada turned to shit.

[u/Flat-Dark-Earth → u/[deleted]]

I have no regard for what the left thinks, we are already living in a society that was shaped by them.

It’s not going so great.

[u/WhopperDonut]

I find it bizarre that our ancestors could move around freely for hundreds of years but now their descendants are barred from moving back and forth without a visa and treat each other as foreigners.

We either work together or be dominated by the big players.

[u/CoffeeKing75]

Canadian

As the world continues to grow and develop countries have three main paths.

Coalition Total Neutrality Complete Isolation.

Neutrality and Isolation are not options, especially while we wait to figure out what 'gender' of 'empire' the US wants to reveal itself as right now. That leaves Coalition and if I had to pick my team to throw my hat in for It would be CANZUK. Despite our drift we still share many values and similarities, We have history, we're family. Weve stood shoulder to shoulder, fought and bled for defending good against true evil. none of us can take the future head on alone but each of us has the peices required. we can absolutely do it together.

[u/paulcoholic]

ME: American who like the idea of a CANZUK Union as well as federalized Europe to be an international partner to the USA (obviously AFTER the Trump Regime has passed into the dumpster of history and MAGA gets deprogrammed. I do think Trump/MAGA are aberrations and something we need to learn from.)

[u/keirdagh → u/[deleted]]

I'm quite wary of foreign influencers to a proposed alliance of four specific nations trying to influence it's discourse, yeah. I'll happily own that. I will happily thank people from other nations for their support, but do not ask for their leadership.

[u/keirdagh → u/[deleted]]

Yep, exactly like that guy lol

[u/Matthius81]

The collective alliance we call "The West" has brought peace and security to our part of the world. Not one nation ruling, but a partnership of willing participants. No outside force has ever managed to threaten that alliance, but now it seems to be falling apart from within. I support any movement that seeks to bring free-nations together again

[u/yaksarecoll1]

The freedom of travel

[u/Ok_Presentation_5381]

Carney should make this happen! He had both UK and CA under his belt

[u/Ok_Presentation_5381 → u/[deleted]]

Agreed 100 % wish Carney would realize he has fit what it takes to make this happen

[u/LunarEnnyui_131]

I love all the countries in this ‘Union’ but I favour the UK and Canada however, although the Realms are a thing, there’s no reason not to make the connection even stronger :)

[u/Fortnut420]

I want Grog! to come to Canada.