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Another potential union that gets the occasional mention is CANZUK - a union of Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the UK. [0] Practically, and legally, they all share the same head of state and similar cultures (although culturally Quebec is the outlier) so perhaps it would be an easier fit.

[0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CANZUK

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I’ve been a proponent of CANZUK for 20 odd years now. My support comes from the cultural side of things. I spent 15 years working and living at ski resorts in Canada, Australia and New Zealand (and worked with a lot of young adults from the UK and Ireland). You can basically swap out anyone from the CANZUK+IE countries and get someone similar in language/culture/work ethic/etc and only have a slightly different accent.

I also know dozens of international couples who met and fell in love with someone from one of the other countries and have seen countless relationships forced to part ways because of stupid visa issues.

I’d like to see the free movement of people come first, a military agreement second (a la NATO) and then whatever free trade agreements that make sense.

Personally I'm a lot more interested in us (Canadians) joining an existing successful union than us trying to start up a competitor. The two actions don't seem particularly similar in potential costs/benefits/drawbacks/...

In practice, our head of state here in Australia is the governor-general.[1] That role is largely ceremonial too.

Anyway, I tend to agree with the sentiment that, in ascending order of silly accents, Canadians, English, Irish, Australian, and Kiwis, share a common culture and work ethic.

I dunno how anyone can take New Zealanders seriously, if you’ve ever heard one speak you’d surely agree.[2] I’m gonna blame the Dutch, the silly bastards.

1. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monarchy_of_Australia

2. https://youtu.be/V4E1cfOE7P4?si=54xm1gttEG-AGLJ1

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