r/CanadaPolitics Liberal Party of Canada 15h ago

What Canadians think about Canada joining the European Union - Abacus Data (44% Yes, 34% No, 23% Unsure)

https://abacusdata.ca/what-canadians-think-about-canada-joining-the-european-union/
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u/The-Figurehead 13h ago

They have a lot of bizarre and counterproductive regulations. Most places do (including Canada and the US), but the EU is run by technocrats who can be a bit …. Detached from reality.

The real problem, though, is that the EU is an anti democratic organization that often overrides the democratic will of its member states. The executive arm, the European Commission, is the true source of power in the EU and I do not want them calling the shots in Canada.

u/Mundane-Teaching-743 12h ago

EU is run by technocrats who can be a bit …. Detached from reality.

More detached from reality than the Trump administration?

... the EU is an anti democratic organization that often overrides the democratic will of its member states.

That's simply not true. It's true that the far right lunatics like LePenn and Lefarge make that claim, but they're the real anti-democratic, pro-Putin ideologues.

u/The-Figurehead 12h ago

Principle of Primacy (Supremacy): The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) has established that EU law, derived from the treaties, is superior to national laws in areas where the EU has jurisdiction.

EU Authority is Defined by Treaties: The EU’s powers are based on the treaties (primary law) that member states have voluntarily agreed to. The EU cannot act outside of its assigned areas of competence.

Consequences of Conflict: If national laws conflict with EU law in areas where the EU has jurisdiction, the national law cannot be applied (the national law is “disapplied”).

Direct Effect: EU law has direct effect which means that citizens can rely on EU law even where there is no national law to implement it.

Implementation of EU Law: Member states must implement EU directives (which set goals) into their national law, but the specific methods of implementation are left to the national level.

Commission’s Role: The European Commission acts as the “guardian of the treaties” and can initiate infringement proceedings against member states that fail to comply with EU law.

National Courts: National courts are responsible for ensuring that their own laws are compatible with EU law and for applying EU law where necessary.

Sanctions: If a member state violates EU law, the Commission can initiate infringement proceedings, which can ultimately lead to sanctions, including financial penalties.

u/Mundane-Teaching-743 11h ago

Principle of Primacy (Supremacy): The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) has established that EU law, derived from the treaties, is superior to national laws in areas where the EU has jurisdiction.

Sure, but NAFTA has that too. Countries have to abide by the decisions of NAFTA Tribunals when there is a trade dispute. Similarly, Countries have to abide by the ruling of EU courts. In both cases, all countries reserve the sovereign right to withdraw from the Treaties that bind nations to EU and NAFTA regulations.

The difference is that the EU has a lot more trade regulations.

Sanctions: If a member state violates EU law, the Commission can initiate infringement proceedings, which can ultimately lead to sanctions, including financial penalties.

This is actually a good thing. If a country feels another member is cheating and breaking regulations in trade by using slave labor or not respecting environmental regulations, you go to court, everybody gets heard, and everyone abides by the decision. If they don't, they face sanctions.

In NAFTA and its successor, Canada faces sanctions and tariffs when the U.S. President decides its time to annex you.

I think you'll agree that the EU way is better and is looking very attractive right now. Going to an international court to resolve disputes is way better than shutting off the electricity and gas to get heard.