CANZUK International

CANZUK International, previously known as The Commonwealth Freedom of Movement Organisation, is a non-profit international organisation which aims to achieve the free movement of citizens, free trade agreements and foreign policy cooperation between Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom through intergovernmental action and the formation of a proposed diplomatic union known as CANZUK. The organisation aims to achieve similar free movement and trade arrangements that exist under the Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement and the Closer Economic Relations trade agreement between Australia and New Zealand, with Canada and the United Kingdom eventually joining these arrangements[4].

Not to be confused with CANZUK.

CANZUK International
Founded2015 (2015)
FounderJames Skinner
TypePolitical Organisation
Location
Area served
Canada, Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom
Key people
Websitecanzukinternational.com
Formerly called
Commonwealth Freedom of Movement Organisation

History

The Commonwealth Freedom of Movement Organisation (CFMO) was founded in January 2015[5] by executive director, James Skinner, who conceptualized and popularized the idea of developing migration, trade and foreign policy agreements between Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom by initially developing political interest for CANZUK among supportive MPs in Canada.[6][7] Skinner founded the CFMO after experiencing his own difficulties immigrating to Australia and Canada as a UK citizen.[8]

On 17 March 2015, Skinner appeared on The Early Edition with Rick Cluff as part of CBC Radio One's breakfast programming in Vancouver, where he detailed the reasoning for the CFMO's campaign regarding free movement between Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the UK:

The four countries we propose are very similar in numerous ways. For example, we share the same head of state, the same language, the same Westminster style parliamentary system, the same common law legal system, similar economic growth rates, [and a] similar respect for human rights. What we're advocating is not something out of the ordinary. This is something that has been done within the EU, between virtually 30 countries with a population of 500 million citizens, who have the right to live and work freely between each other, and it's also been done between Australia and New Zealand with the Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement ... so what we're proposing with 4 Commonwealth countries, who have very close Commonwealth ties, is not something completely "out there".[9]

In January 2017, the CFMO was renamed CANZUK International with greater interest in campaigning for free trade and foreign policy cooperation between the four countries in addition to freedom of movement.[10]

Policies
A map of CANZUK countries and their dependencies

CANZUK International's proposals focus specifically on three key areas: freedom of movement, free trade and foreign policy co-operation.[11]

Freedom of movement

The organisation has campaigned publicly for the national governments of Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom to remove visa restrictions and work permits between their citizens,[12] similar to the current arrangements that exist between Australia and New Zealand.[13] In April 2015, 7 News Australia interviewed former director, Alice Moran, in which she reiterated the organisation's stance regarding free movement:

"Those four nations are so similar to each other [and] have so much in common; we feel like we should be able to move around as freely as possible".[14]

Although the four countries compose what was sometimes referred to as the "white" Commonwealth, Skinner told CBC News in March 2015: "This has nothing to do with race."[15]

However, although supportive of freer movement, the organisation has also drafted restrictions which may apply to citizens if free movement legislation is ratified between Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. Such restrictions include prohibiting those with infectious health conditions and criminal records, similar to the terms of the current Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement.[16] In an interview with Dan Riendeau for the "At Night" radio show on News Talk 770 in March 2015, Skinner emphasised that any future free movement initiative would need to learn from the flaws within the European Union free movement system, and therefore, certain restrictions would likely need to be considered by the respective governments for the initiative to work effectively.[17] This was also emphasized in an interview with Global News in January 2018, where Skinner stated that freedom of movement for citizens of each country would be "controlled" with certain health and security restrictions in place if people wanted to travel or work between the CANZUK countries. Those on a terror watch-list or with serious criminal convictions would not qualify under free movement provisions.[11]

Although CANZUK International's main objective is freedom of movement between Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, the organisation has also prioritised increased visas between the countries. In an Interview with ABC News (Australia), Skinner stated "In the interim, a five-year work visa could be introduced for anyone below the age of 31...this visa could then be expanded to those below the ages of 35 or 40. Progress could then be made towards increasing the five-year work visa to seven or ten years, and then eventually to full free-movement by negotiating an accession agreement for Canada and the United Kingdom to join the Trans-Tasman Travel Agreement".[18]

Free Trade

In addition to free movement of citizens, the organisation has also called for open trade between Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom,[19] claiming that such trading relations would provide the CANZUK countries with "more collective bargaining power in dealing with large trading partners such as the United States, China, India and the European Union".[20] When speaking with Justin "Drex" Wilcomes on Global News's late-night talk show "The Shift with Drex" in January 2018, Skinner emphasized that trade between Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom would equal $3.5 trillion, and accumulated Gross domestic product of the four countries would equal $6.5 trillion, thereby providing advantageous circumstances for free trade to be established.[21]

The organization has publicly campaigned for Canada and the United Kingdom to join the already existing Closer Economic Relations Trade Agreement (CER) that exists between Australia and New Zealand - not only for increased trade in goods, but also for mutual recognition of skills between the four countries, so skilled migrants can work in each country without the requirement of professional re-examination or additional skills assessments.[22][23]

Foreign Policy

The organization has also advocated foreign policy cooperation between the CANZUK countries due to similar cultural and historical ties, specifically working together regarding constitutional matters such as human rights and educational developments.[24] In February 2017, Skinner interviewed for TVO's The Agenda with Steve Paikin where it was emphasised that despite closer diplomatic cooperation, CANZUK International would not advocate closer political union between Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom as seen within the EU, but that it would continue as a campaign "for free movement between four, independent, sovereign countries, and it will remain that way, to work together towards free trade and foreign policy".[25]

Public response

CANZUK International has received mixed opinions from academics, journalists and the general public.

As of September 2016, CANZUK International's online petition advocating free movement between the four countries received over 162,000 signatures. Australian Foreign Minister, Julie Bishop, acknowledging that free movement between the UK and Australia could be part of a future free trade deal once the United Kingdom leaves the European Union.[26]

However, critics have voiced concerns over the logistics of introducing free movement legislation across international borders. Emily Gilbert, an associate professor of Canadian Studies and Geography at the University of Toronto stated: "I think it's an intriguing proposal, but I think chances are it will be some years in the making if it's ever to be realized", while Jeffrey Reitz from the University of Toronto's Munk School of Global Affairs stated: "it's unclear why Canada would pursue a proposal with New Zealand, Australia and U.K. instead of the U.S. and Mexico, countries that are already part of a free trade agreement."[27]

Polling conducted by the Royal Commonwealth Society in 2016 revealed that 70% of Australians said they were supportive of the CANZUK proposal, with 10% opposed to it; 75% of Canadians said they supported the idea and 15% were opposed to it and 82% of New Zealanders stated that they supported the idea, with 10% opposed. A YouGov poll of 2015 showed 58% support and 19% opposition.[28] The YouGov research also found that British people valued free mobility between the UK and Canada, Australia and New Zealand higher than they did with free mobility between the UK and EU ( 46% for and 35% against).

Further polling conducted by CI in January 2017 found support for free movement of people and goods with certain limitations on citizens claiming tax-funded payments on entry across the UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand to be 64% in the UK, 72% in Australia, 77% in Canada and 81% in New Zealand, with undecideds included.[29]

In January 2018, CANZUK International's online petition, calling upon the governments of Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, achieved over 200,000 signatures with the intention of submitting the petition to each of the four respective governments.[30]

Governmental and organizational support

In May 2016, Australian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Alexander Downer expressed support for "freer movement" between Australia and the United Kingdom, stating: "Over time we would like to continue to talk to the British government about arrangements we could make to liberalise movement between Australia and the UK, if not have completely free movement...".[31]

In March 2017, the leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, Andrew Scheer, stated his support for a CANZUK free trade deal at a leadership debate in Vancouver, British Columbia. Scheer stated: "I very much support a trade deal with those countries. Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom have a similar basis of law, they have a common democratic system, they have the same types of legislation and regulations around investment and trade. Those are the types of things we don't enjoy with China".[32]

On 18 May 2017, Canadian member of parliament, Michael Chong, declared support for post-Brexit free movement between the CANZUK countries, saying it was "a good idea to explore a new trade deal with Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, particularly in light of the Brexit vote".[33]

In January 2018, neoliberal British think-tank the Adam Smith Institute adopted the expansion of migration from CANZUK nations as a policy priority for 2018,[34] declaring CANZUK International's platform as "an idea whose time has come".[35]

In August 2018, the Conservative Party of Canada voted almost unanimously to incorporate the organization's proposals as party policy following its annual convention, held in Halifax.[36]

In January 2020, Conservative Party UK Member of Parliament for Peterborough, Paul Bristow, expressed his support for CANZUK International on Twitter.[37]

In February 2020, both Conservative Party of Canada MPs, Erin O'Toole and Marilyn Gladu tweeted support for CANZUK International's proposals following the United Kingdom's official departure from the European Union.[38][39]

Research

In addition to its free movement campaign, CANZUK International also conducts research into socio-economic issues affecting Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the UK, and occasional research into other Commonwealth countries regarding their candidacy for a future free movement initiative. Research conducted has varied in subject, including general elections,[40] the cost of living in differing cities throughout the four Commonwealth countries,[41] and the 2016 referendum regarding the UK's membership of the European Union.[42]

See also

References
  1. "Push for free movement of Canadians, Kiwis, Britons and Australians gains momentum". GlobalNews.ca.
  2. "L'anglosphère, la planète des " brexiters heureux "". Le Monde.fr.
  3. "Group hoping for open work, travel through Commonwealth". 26 September 2016.
  4. "The Future of Post-Brexit Britain" (PDF). CANZUK International.
  5. "About Us". CANZUK International.
  6. "Britain's plan for post-Brexit union with Canada, Australia and New Zealand REVEALED". Sunday Express. Retrieved 3 February 2020.
  7. CANZUK International (5 February 2020). "CANZUK International interview live with CBC News". CBC News. Toronto. Retrieved 06 February 2020.
  8. "Some 70,000 sign petition to end immigration controls between Canada, Australia, New Zealand and U.K." 20 April 2015.
  9. "Group calls on free movement between Canada, U.K., New Zealand and Australia". 17 March 2015.
  10. "Home". CANZUK International.
  11. "Push for free movement of Canadians, Kiwis, Britons and Australians gains momentum". Global News. Retrieved 28 May 2018.
  12. "'Commonwealth' petition inches up". BBC News. 18 March 2015 – via www.bbc.com.
  13. "Commonwealth Freedom of Movement".
  14. CANZUK International (21 October 2015), CFMO on 7 News Australia, retrieved 28 May 2018
  15. Hembrey, Jon (20 March 2015). "Free Movement Between Canada, U.K., Australia And New Zealand Unlikely". Huffington Post (Canada). Retrieved 25 January 2017.
  16. "A No-Deal Brexit Might Just Be a Golden Opportunity". Foundation for Economic Education. 24 July 2019. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
  17. CANZUK International (21 March 2015), News Talk 770 Interview - Dan Riendeau & James Skinner - March 20th, 2015, retrieved 28 May 2018
  18. Haynes, Jessica (27 September 2017). "Is it time for the UK to relax visa restrictions for Australian workers?". ABC News (Australia). Retrieved 4 October 2017.
  19. "Group calls for free movement between Canada, U.K., Australia and New Zealand". CTVNews. 7 February 2018. Retrieved 28 May 2018.
  20. "Our Mission". CANZUK International. Retrieved 28 May 2018.
  21. "The Shift with Drex - Borders and Walls -James Skinner - The Shift with Drex - Omny.fm". omny.fm. Retrieved 28 May 2018.
  22. "Brexit has thrust Commonwealth summit out of the shadows and into the spotlight". Retrieved 28 May 2018.
  23. "Increased push for free movement between Canada, U.K., Australia, New Zealand". Retrieved 6 February 2020.
  24. "Global Trade After Brexit, Business Daily - BBC World Service". BBC. Retrieved 28 May 2018.
  25. CANZUK International (8 February 2017), CANZUK International - "The Agenda" on TVO, retrieved 28 May 2018
  26. "Free movement advocates claim high-level support". NewsComAu. Retrieved 28 May 2018.
  27. "Free movement between Canada, U.K., Australia and New Zealand likely a pipe dream | CBC News". CBC. Retrieved 28 May 2018.
  28. "UK public strongly backs freedom to live and work in Australia, Canada, and New Zealand" (PDF). Royal Commonwealth Society. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 January 2017. Retrieved 21 April 2016.
  29. Sheppard, Jenni (15 January 2018). "Petition for free movement between Canada, UK, Australia and New Zealand gets 200K signatures". Daily Hive. Retrieved 28 May 2018.
  30. William-Ross, Lindsay. "Petition advocating 'free movement' between Canada, Australia, New Zealand, UK hits 200K+ signatures". Vancouver Courier. Retrieved 28 May 2018.
  31. Bourke, Latika (21 May 2016). "Alexander Downer flags 'freer movement' for Australians emigrating to Britain". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
  32. "CBC News". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 28 May 2018.
  33. Mowat, Laura (18 May 2017). "Visa-free movement across UK, Canada, Australia and NZ? Campaign boost as 200,000 sign up". Express.co.uk. Retrieved 28 May 2018.
  34. "Policy Priorities in 2018: Boosting Productivity". Adam Smith Institute. Retrieved 28 May 2018.
  35. "Happy Australia Day!".
  36. Bateman, Sophie (28 August 2018). "Canada Conservatives vote for free movement, trade with New Zealand". newshub.co.nz. Retrieved 28 August 2018.
  37. Paul Bristow MP [@paulbristow79] (22 January 2020). "#CANZUK is an idea whose time has come. I have joined the All Party Groups on Canada, Australia and New Zealand, the Commonwealth and CANZUK. As we leave the EU, lets prioritise our relationship with our historic friends @CANZUK" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  38. Erin O'Toole [@ErinOTooleMP] (1 February 2020). "PM Boris Johnson and I agree. Post-BREXIT, Canada needs a new trade agreement with the UK. I've been pushing for CANZUK for years, but as Prime Minister, I'll work with Boris Johnson and our allies in Australia and New Zealand to make it happen" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  39. Marilyn Gladu [@MPMarilynGladu] (31 January 2020). "With #Brexit done, the UK is free from the red tape of Brussels. I'll seize this opportunity to deliver @CANZUK, a strategic multilateral deal with our 4 closest Commonwealth allies, which was overwhelmingly voted for by #CPC grassroots members. #canzuk #cpcldr #cdnpoli #ukpoli" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  40. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 31 January 2016. Retrieved 21 April 2016.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  41. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 24 April 2016. Retrieved 21 April 2016.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  42. "How Would CANZUK Free Movement Differ From The EU?". CANZUK International.
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