EU - I'm in a quandary

From Wikipedia

Potential EU Membership

It has been speculated as early on as 2005 that Canada could—some say should—join the European Union[by whom?]. Proponents argue that the cultural and political values of Canadians and Europeans have much in common, and that Canadian membership would strengthen both sides politically and economically. While conceding that Canada and Europe are over 3,000 km (1,900 mi) distant,[a] being separated by the North Atlantic, proponents note that the EU already has a member, Cyprus, that is geographically outside Europe.

In addition, CETA is possibly the farthest-reaching FTA between the EU and a foreign country. Because of the nature of CETA, some have said that it wouldn't be that far of a leap to EU membership. There have not been any polls conducted on the opinions of Europeans or Canadians regarding closer relations and EU membership. Anglophone nations in the EU, such as the UK and Ireland would likely support Canadian membership, and it might decrease Eurosceptic attitudes in the UK while strengthening the Anglophone bloc in the EU. Furthermore, the province of Quebéc would help to strengthen the Francophone bloc in the EU, with Francophone nations such as France, Luxembourg and Belgium likely to support Canadian membership. EU membership may also help to curb separatist sentiments in Quebec. In addition, it may decrease Canadian dependence on the United States regarding trade, and security. It would also easily meet the Copenhagen Criteria for EU membership. Additionally, the EU is Canada's second-largest trading partner, and with EU membership, it could become the largest. Canadian and EU officials have not yet commented on this.[10][11][12][13]

If we had TTIP, or the UK/US equivalent, this would not happen.

"Just as Bayer makes moves to merge with Monsanto, we’ve rocked Big Agro’s world. EU nations just refused to back a licence extension for weedkiller glyphosate -- meaning Monsanto’s signature product Roundup may be pulled from shelves this year.

This is the third time member states have rejected the EU Commission’s bid for a new licence for glyphosate. Governments are responding to our mass mobilisation of citizens fed up with the widespread use of a pesticide that the World Health Organization deems “probably carcinogenic.” "

If we refused Monsanto permission to use glyphosate Monsanto would be able to sue our government for loss of profit. The EU has rejected it. The UK government would let Monsanto carry on using it. Fortunately with the help of our MEPs we have stopped Monsanto using this and holding the EU to ransom.
Good reason to stay in.

Durhamjen - there is rumour I heard that they might at some point apply to join. That's all. Given EU biggest trading block in world and given they sit next to USA, they might think it would have advantages. They would have to harmonise things like employment law but that would not be a big problem for them. Oh and they have links with France and a lot of French speakers as well...

So you think Canada is going to join just as we leave? What will that do for UK Canadian agreements?
I thought people who wanted out wanted to trade with Commonwealth countries.
Canada wants to trade with 500+ million, not just the 60 million in the UK. That's what CETA is all about. Nowhere in CETA does it say that Canada has to join the EU in order for it to go ahead.
My sources are not just Wikipaedia.

Durhamjen

Who, what, where has anybody said Canada 'HAS' to join the EU.

Of course you have other sources from Wikipedia , don't we all! What is the point in that comment?

There are many aspects to the question of Canada/Our referendum/The EU /Free Trade. Wikipedia is just one source of information, obviously, but it's up to you if you elect
to ignore it or not.

Just an aside, but interesting (possibly)
Homebase is being taken over by Australian firm Bunnings.
(We often go to Bunnings so I hope they will keep our local Homebase open here)

Jess, there is already a NAFTA with Canada, US and Mexico.
I wonder what Trump will do about that if he is elected? Lots of Canadian and US manufacturing has relocated to Mexico.

Canada already has a free trade agreement with the UK through the Commonwealth. However, as I said above, if we leave the EU, they would be able to trade more goods and services with the EU than with the UK. Trade is moving on, expanding. The EU is Canada's biggest trading area at the moment. If we left the EU, we could lose that.

By the way, Canada wants us to stay in the EU.

And Australia came 2nd in the Eurovision
Does that make them European?

I do have to fight with my hair each morning but even that doesn't take 20 minutes - but, then, it may not be up to Dyson standards.

Just read an article about wanting Canada, Australia and New Zealand to join the EU. What?
If that was the case, why doesn't the EU join the Commonwealth?
Except, of course, they do not want our queen.

Dyson said that the single market does not work because exporters like him have to write instructions in different languages and use different plugs.
I have a feeling that leaving the EU will not alter that one iota, unless, of course, he stops selling to EU countries.

With regard to what Jess said about the recruiting - DD was also a manager of a large recruitment agency and had exactly the same problems but not in SE England. It was only when the Polish people began arriving that she was able to fill many jobs. She now works in recruiting medical staff and this is a complete nightmare - all the conformities needed and then trying to get them to agree to the salary etc. There are nowhere near enough UK born and trained doctors at any level and so recruitment is needed from abroad - besides the EU the recruitment drive is also going to Arab nations. So if we wish to have a fully staffed NHS then we do need migration. It will be no good saying that should we leave there will not be so many patients as many Brits living in EU countries will need to return to UK and not all will be pensioners needing medical care but also families with school age children needing places - some of these children will never have been taught in English either!!

www.globaljustice.org.uk/blog/2016/jun/10/or-out-eu-canada-trade-deal-would-mean-massive-corporate-power-grab

This is what CETA would mean whether we are in or out of the EU. And TTIP as well, of course.
The problem with both of them is that we have had to fight to get to know what we do know about them. Both are done in secret as much as possible. We should not need whistleblowers for something as big as this.

By the way, there is a survey on Global Justice now about how much you do or do not know about CETA and TTIP.

I found this just now and thought these facts may just help some people decide. I do not know this person but I do know the one who posted it.

m.facebook.com/messages/read/?tid=1231901204#!/story.php?story_fbid=10156888473715562&id=712455561&refid=12&__tn__=%2As

Should have said the post is by a chap actually working for the EU and knows all the ins and outs. - not a reporters article.

Page not found, Welshwife.

The link worked for me Ww

Do you know the name of the man who posted it?
Are you on Facebook, Jalima?

Ah yes, perhaps that is it; I have FB open at the moment.

No, I've never heard of him, and I haven't actually read it, just was able to open it.
If I want to know about working for the EU I will ask DH's relative. I know I will get a balanced view - he may be balanced but I don't know who he is.

Just looked at a link from granjura which is on facebook. Strange.

I wondered if Welshwife knew the man's name.

Name of Mark Henderson - link worked for me too. Seems he studied about the EU for five years - under grad and PhD and has worked for them for ten years and the last three in Brussels - quite interesting what he has to say.

Thought for the day:
A majority of the under 30s wish to remain in the EU. It is their future we are gambling with. Should older people who are undecided perhaps be backing them?

I was asked by my son yesterday, under 50 not under 30, what positive things Remain could say to persuade people he met to stay in. I mentioned environment - nobody interested; safety - nobody interested; air pollution - nobody interested; sea and river quality - nobody interested. He'd mentioned them before and all they wanted to know about was buying goods and immigration. I find that quite sad.
The idea of the EU sticking up for workers rights gets laughed at in Durham at the moment because of what a Labour council is doing to teaching assistants. Depressing.

There is also a shortage of unskilled labour in the South - who works in the coffee shops and hotels right across the South? EU visitors, of course, all improving their English and contributing to our economy

Jess where do you think all those EU 'visitors'(misnomer) who work in the coffee shops live?

The pressure on housing is immense in most areas of the country and EU workers (those in low-paid jobs)are either house-sharing and paying exorbitant rent and lining the pockets of buy-to-let landlords or in social housing.

No wonder there is discontent among the have-nots and leanings towards Brexit.

This discontent among have-nots ( as well as haves) is what a lot if politicians fail to grasp Riverwalk and may well be the undoing of them.Labour don't get why a load of their voters will be voting Leave, they seem puzzled as to why their voters will not be following the party line.
djen of course the people are not interested in the things you cite ( to Remain) they may be, but they come well down the list of things to be worried about. in any case the safety aspect is not relevant as we and the US are the best at this , and will continue to share info with Europe.

www.theguardian.com/society/2016/jun/11/jeremy-corbyn-right-to-buy-plan-backed-by-thinktank

Riverwalk, have you seen this article? This could solve the problem you mention re buy-to-let landlords.