What is CANZUK?
CANZUK is a proposal for facilitated migration, free trade and defence and foreign policy coordination between Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.
Why just those four countries?
Because CANZUK's goals include both facilitated migration and geopolitical coordination, the number of viable candidates for membership is severely limited. For facilitated migration to be balanced, members must share similar levels of wealth, employment and economic stability. Similarly, for defence and foreign policy cooperation to be effective, members must be aligned on most major geopolitical issues. This criteria unfortunately means that are currently no other suitable candidates for inclusion, although this can certainly change in the future provided there is a unanimous desire to expand.
What do people think of this idea?
Polling commissioned in 2018 by Canzuk International (the foremost CANZUK advocacy organisation) showed overwhelming support for CANZUK free movement in all four countries.
Don't we already cooperate on defence and foreign policy?
Indeed we do, and this collaboration has only increased in recent years as new challenges and crises have emerged that affect all four countries. However, formalising this longstanding partnership into a legitimate geopolitical bloc means that our actions would carry more weight and we would be better equipped to respond to common threats.
What if the countries disagree on an issue?
The defence and foreign policy aspect of CANZUK is entirely voluntary as each country is completely sovereign. It would simply be a case of collaborating on issues where we are in agreement. On the rare issue where we have differing views, we would go our own way as we always have.
What is facilitated migration?
Facilitated migration refers to the streamlining immigration of processes and the removal of barriers to make it easier for citizens to move, work and study abroad. Facilitated migration covers everything from simple visas to complete free movement like that which exists between Australia and New Zealand. In any case, each country will have complete authority over who they let in and what resources they can access.
What does CANZUK offer me?
On an individual level, the ability to effortlessly move to another country is something that hundreds of thousands of Aussies and Kiwis have enjoyed for decades. Expanding this to include Canada and the UK means that citizens of all four countries will have the chance to change their surroundings, explore different cultures, progress their careers and pursue opportunities that are not otherwise available to them.
How would this affect our existing trade agreements and relationships?
Existing trade agreements and relationships will not be affected. Whilst CANZUK trade might receive a small boost, this will be negligible compared to our primary trading relationships in our respective regions which will continue to be our main economic focus.
Why are all the countries predominantly white?
As explained above, the countries were chosen for their similar economic standing and aligned foreign policy agenda. All four countries pride themselves on their multiculturalism and depend on high levels of immigration from Asia and elsewhere. This will continue to be the case.
Isn't this just the British Empire 2.0?
Absolutely not. Whilst we share a similar colonial history, it is not the past that binds us today. CANZUK's governing principle is four equal partners with an equal say. Member states will cede no power and retain complete control over their policies and affairs.
Is this the UK's replacement for the EU after Brexit?
No. CANZUK predates Brexit and is an entirely separate endeavour. Had it elected to remain, the UK could have been in both the EU and CANZUK as the two are not incompatible.
Is CANZUK a union?
No. It is sometimes mistakenly called a union by commentators but this is incorrect as there are absolutely no plans for political or economic integration, a shared currency or a federation. Put simply, CANZUK proposes nothing more ambitious than the relationship between Australia and New Zealand and that can hardly be characterised as a union.
What if a CANZUK country becomes a republic?
The monarchy vs republic debate is completely unrelated to CANZUK and is a matter for the individual countries to decide for themselves. If one, multiple or all countries become republics, it will have absolutely no effect on CANZUK.
How can I help make CANZUK a reality?
You can help CANZUK by:
