Since the Maastricht Treaty of 1993 and the Schengen Agreement of 1985, the European Union has enjoyed open borders, shared citizenship and unrestricted labor movement.
Using this model, the United States and Canada should form their own union.
To start, Canada and the U.S. have been like two peas in a pod sharing a similar culture. For instance, both countries indulge in the same popular sporting events. So much so that they share the same hockey, basketball and baseball leagues.
Since the end of the War of 1812, both nations have also held close diplomatic and economic ties. Today, they are members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and consistently rank as top trading partners.
Currently, the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement allows for free trade between the member nations. However, the treaty does not allow for the free movement of people and labor.
As a Canadian international student at Miami Dade College, I pay out-of-state tuition that is three times what in-state students pay. I’m also limited to working minimum wage work-study jobs.
These limitations would be liquidated if the U.S. and Canada formed a union embracing open borders and unlimited work opportunities. Thousands of students like me would have new opportunities to grow and give back to our communities.
Both nations would also benefit economically. Without travel restrictions, tourism would increase and the transportation of goods would become even more efficient.
Currently, I’m hoping a company will hire me and sponsor a permanent residency card for me. Doing so would allow me to continue living in the U.S. until I’m eligible for citizenship.
The process is long and difficult. So much so, that it’s forced me to study computer science, a major I’m not the most passionate about to increase my chances of being sponsored.
Sean Fraser, the Canadian Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced recently that Canada is developing new pathways for international students to become permanent residents.
Allowing free movement between Canada and the U.S. would acknowledge decades of strong cultural bonds while promoting evenly shared prosperity.
