EU gets pass impasse and heads towards new treaty

After much negotiations and threats by both Poland and Britain to block a new treaty if it didn't heed certain demands, it appears a deal has been reached and a new treaty will go ahead. This off course assumes it doesn't get defeated in a national referendum as the European constitution did in 2005 by both the French and Dutch voters. Technically, only in Ireland is a national referendum required and the Irish have generally been more pro-EU than most member-states. Although the EU has plenty of problems that need fixing, I believe it is more a force of good than negative one and therefore believe efforts to make it function are important. More importantly, the EU started out with only six members, but now has 27 so achieving consensus with 27 members is very difficult, so changes are needed. I am a strong supporter of the EU as it has promoted cooperation, understanding, and prosperity in Europe never mind the fact travelling in Europe without changing currencies and going through customs everytime you go across a national boundary is very convenient. However, I do not support the creation of a European superstate as each country remains its own unique identity and must be able to preserve this. I also believe a strong EU could act as a counter-balance to the United States, which is definitely in Canada's interest. As someone who has just recently visited Europe and has a strong interests in seeing a new power emerge whose values are similiar to Canada and rejects the more right wing elements of American society, I have taken a keen interest in the EU and its development. I should also note I am dead set against a North American Union similiar to the EU being created as I believe such union is unnecessary and would not work as it would be dominated by one country rather than be based on several countries working together cooperatively. In addition areas of common interests between Canada and the United States can be addressed through bilateral cooperation, whereas with 27 members, an actual governing body that makes laws is necessary.

In order to make the EU function more smoothly and to re-build confidence amongst an increasingly skeptical public, I suggest the following reforms be made.

1. Make the EU more democratic. Legislation should be written and introduced by either the Council of Ministers (who are national representatives) or the European parliament (who are directly elected by its citizens), not the European Commission. These two bodies should also have the power to repeal any previous laws that are ineffective. In a democracy, governments who pass bad laws must be able to be held accountable and since the EU takes on many nation-state like characteristics and has far more power than it did 50 years ago, when created or any other international organization, it needs to be made more democratic.

2. Laws should be introduced by whichever level of government is best able to deal with the issue. This may mean the EU in expanding its powers in some areas, such as immigration where greater cooperation is needed, but also returning some to national governments in areas that are better handled by national governments. Qualified majority should be used in all areas relating to the single market and its smooth functioning, but unanimity should remain in sensitve areas such as foreign policy and areas vital to national sovereignty.

3. A two speed Europe should be introduced. It is wrong to force countries such as Britain to give up more sovereignty than its people are comfortable with, but equally wrong to hold back countries such as Belgium from pursuing greater integration as its citizens want. As done with the Euro and Scheghen Agreement, opt outs in sensitve areas should be allowed so those who want greater integration can do so and those who don't aren't forced to give up more sovereignty than they want.

4. Finally any treaty or constitution that involves giving up significant amount of sovereignty should be decided via national referendum. Minor housekeeping treaties can be ratified through parliamentary approval. Simply speaking, sovereignty is derived from its people, not the government, so the EU increasing its powers can only gain legitimacy if it is the will of the people.

Back on the domestic front, I was shocked to hear Belinda Stronach was diagnosed with breast cancer. I hope she makes a speedy recovery and my best wishes to her. It appears Joe Comuzzi will be defecting to the Conservatives. I will wait until the decision is officially announced before commenting. Stephen Harper has said he will not extend the Afghanistan mission without parliamentary approval. Hopefully he follows through on this and the opposition continue to hold to account on this. Harper has also said he will ignore the Kyoto implementation bill. While he had every right to make it a confidence motion and then go to an election if it passed, it is now the law of the land and the government must follow it. The government is representative of all MPs, not just the PM or governing party.