CANZUK is a proposed alliance of Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom to form an international organisation or confederation similar in scope to the former European Economic Community. This includes increased trade, foreign policy co-operation, military co-operation and mobility of citizens between the four states. This is tied together by similar economic systems, social values and political and legal system, a shared head of state being King Charles III, in addition to the majority population of each country speaking English. The idea is lobbied by the advocacy group CANZUK International.CANZUK International (November 2020). "CANZUK International: Policies & Campaign Proposals" . Toronto: CANZUK International. Retrieved 24 January 2020. Other supporters include think tanks such as the Adam Smith Institute,Adam Smith Institute (July 2019). "CANZUK — A BRIGHT FUTURE GETTING CLOSER" . London: Adam Smith Institute. Retrieved 24 January 2021. the Henry Jackson Society,Henry Jackson Society (February 2019). "Global Britain: A Twenty-First Century Vision" . London: Henry Jackson Society. Retrieved 6 February 2020. Bruges GroupBruges Group (11 August 2020). "Kiwis and CANZUK: A Bridge Too Far No More?". London: Bruges Group. Retrieved 29 August 2020. and politicians from the four countries.
History The term The term CANZUK was first coined by William David McIntyre in his 1967 book Colonies into Commonwealth in the context of a "CANZUK Union".Colonies Into Commonwealth , William David McIntyre, Walker, 1967, page 375 The idea of increased migration, trade and foreign policy cooperation between the CANZUK countries was created and popularized in 2015 by CEO and Founder of CANZUK InternationalGlobal News (21 January 2018). "Push for free movement of Canadians, Kiwis, Britons and Australians gains momentum" . Global News. Canada. Retrieved 30 November 2020. (formerly the Commonwealth Freedom of Movement Organisation), James Skinner.The Express (2 February 2020). "Britain's plan for post-Brexit union with Canada, Australia and New Zealand REVEALED" . The Express. London. Retrieved 30 November 2020.The Spectator (28 October 2020). "Erin O'Toole on CANZUK: A bolder, bigger, and better Union? | The Spectator's Alternative Conference" YouTube. Retrieved 30 November 2020.
In the wake of the 2016 United Kingdom European Union membership referendum and the decision made by Britain to leave the European Union, writers such as Andrew Lilico and James C. Bennett, along with academics such as the historian Andrew Roberts, also advocated that Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom merge and form a new entity in international politics.Andrew Lilico (7 August 2016). "From Brexit to CANZUK: A call from Britain to team up with Canada, Australia and New Zealand" . Financial Post. London. Retrieved 24 November 2016.James C. Bennett (2016). A Time for Audacity: New Options Beyond Europe. Pole to Pole Publishing. ASIN: B01H4U7FAQ. Retrieved 24 November 2016. Roberts suggested that such a bloc could slot into the international order as a third pillar of the West (alongside the United States and the European Union). Beyond this, Roberts argues that due to its territorial scale, geographic scope and advanced economy that it would qualify as a "great power" and potentially a "global power" (or emerging superpower).
Some advocates such as Roberts favour a federal or confederal union. Others, such as Lilico, describe the objective as being the creation of a "geopolitical partnership" akin to the European Economic Community. In the version favoured by Lilico, by the advocacy group CANZUK international and by the Conservative Party of Canada, the proposal would involve the creation of a free-movement zone, a multilateral free trade agreement and a security partnership. The more general concept of deepening trade ties (with or without a multilateral agreement) has many advocates, including figures such as former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison,Press release. "PM meeting with PM Morrison" (1 December 2018). British Government. Retrieved 2 June 2019. former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau,BBC News. "Justin Trudeau wants 'seamless' UK trade deal after Brexit" (18 April 2018) former British Prime Minister Theresa MayBBC News. "New Zealand happy to forget the UK's 'betrayal'" (24 May 2018) and former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.
Relationship
Canada, Australia and New Zealand are former dominions of the British Empire where people of British ethnic origin came to constitute the majority of the population. Today, the four CANZUK countries maintain a close affinity of cultural, diplomatic and military ties to one another. The Australian and New Zealand national flags contain the Union Flag in their canton. The Union Flag is a ceremonial flag in Canada (referred to as the Royal Union Flag), and the previous national flag and three current provincial flags include a Union Flag.
Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom are also Commonwealth realms which share Charles III as their constitutional monarch and their head of state. The countries share a number of institutional, linguistic and religious similarities such as the use of political systems based upon the Westminster parliamentary system of government, and common law. The CANZUK countries form part of the English-speaking world and share a number of Anglosphere military initiatives with each other including the Fincastle Trophy, Five Eyes intelligence, ABCANZ Armies and AUSCANNZUKUS, which are concerned with increased military and naval co-operation. Canada and the United Kingdom are allied through the North Atlantic Treaty Organization while Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom are allied through the Five Power Defence Arrangements. Canada, Australia and New Zealand have been founding members of the larger Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) trade bloc since 2018, and the United Kingdom joined the CPTPP in 2024.
All four nations have diverse, multicultural populations, free and open presses, and are closely aligned on key social issues. Public relations are extremely warm between the four countries, with consistent evidence that people in Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom regard each other's countries as their own country's closest friends and allies in the world, including the countries joining the United States of America in the Five Eyes intelligence sharing community.
Since 1983, Australia and New Zealand have had formal trade ties with the Closer Economic Relations (CER) agreement.
In 2021, Australia and the United Kingdom agreed to one of the broadest trade agreements in Australia's history, only comparable with a similar deal between New Zealand and Australia. Greatly liberalising free movement of goods and people, the new agreement will reduce technological and digital barriers between the two nations. It is intended that lawyer degrees in Australia and the United Kingdom will have the same legal framework, making it easier for lawyers in both nations to apply for work in each other's countries. The new agreement will reduce visa requirements for unskilled farmworkers and other regional work sectors.
Country comparison
United KingdomCanadaAustraliaNew ZealandFlagCoat of armsPopulation()40,769,890()26,966,789()5,356,700()Area km29,984,670 km27,741,220 km2268,838 km2Population density/km23.9/km23.5/km218.3/km2Exclusive Economic Zone6,805,586 km25,559,077 km28,505,348 km24,420,565 km2Capital cityLondonOttawaCanberraWellingtonLargest cityTorontoSydneyAucklandForm of governmentUnitary parliamentary constitutional monarchyFederal parliamentary constitutional monarchyFederal parliamentary constitutional monarchyUnitary parliamentary constitutional monarchyMonarch Charles III Prime MinisterAndy BurnhamMark CarneyAnthony AlbaneseChristopher Luxon Official languages English Religions (As of 2021/22) (As of 2021) (As of 2021) (As of 2023) Currency Pound sterling (£) Canadian dollar ($) Australian dollar ($) New Zealand dollar ($)
Economic comparison Using data from 2019, below is a table comparing the CANZUK countries to each other, as well as their combined size as a percentage of the world. CountryPopulationAreaExclusive Economic Zone (2017)Military Expenditures (USD billion - 2020)Nominal GDP (billions USD)Nominal GDP per capita (USD)PPP GDP (billions USD)PPP GDP per capita (USD)National Wealth (billions USD)National Wealth per capita (USD)Human Development Index (2021)67,886,004243,610 km26,805,586 km255.10$3,960$56,660$4,450$63,760$14,073$212,6400.929 (very high)38,014,1849,984,670 km25,559,077 km222.50$2,280$54,930$2,720$65,500$7,407$202,2400.936 (very high) 25,741,5007,741,220 km28,505,348 km226.30$1,830$65,950$1,980$71,430$7,329$299,7480.951 (very high)5,356,700268,838 km24,420,565 km24.30$262$49,380$297$55,780$1,162$240,8210.937 (very high)Total136,998,38818,238,338 km225,290,576 km2108.2$8,332$56,730$9,447$64,117$29,971$226,9130.938 (very high)Total as % of World1.7%11.7%18.3%5.4%7.1% –4.5% –10.7% – –
Dependencies and overseas territories Canada
Canada has no external territories, but maintains three internal territories alongside the provinces of the Canadian mainland. Unlike the provinces, the territories of Canada have no inherent sovereignty and have only those powers delegated to them by the federal government. They include all of mainland Canada north of latitude 60° north and west of Hudson Bay and all islands north of the Canadian mainland (from those in James Bay to the Queen Elizabeth Islands).
Australia
In addition to the six Australian States, Australia also comprises ten territories, whose existence and governmental structure (if any) depend on federal legislation. The territories are distinguished for federal administrative purposes between internal territories, i.e. those within the Australian mainland, and external territories, although the differences among all the territories relate to population rather than location.
Two of the three internal territoriesthe Australian Capital Territory (ACT), which was established to be a neutral site of the federal capital, and the Northern Territoryfunction almost as states. Each has self-government, through its legislative assembly, but the assembly's legislation can be federally overridden. Each has its own judiciary, with appeal to a federal court. The third internal territory, the Jervis Bay Territory, is the product of Australia's complex relationship with its capital city; rather than having the same level of autonomy as the other internal territories, it has services provided by the ACT.
There are also seven external territories, not part of the Australian mainland or of any state. Three of them have a small permanent population, two have tiny and transient populations, and two are uninhabited. All are directly administered by the federal Department of Infrastructure, Regional Development and Cities (or the Department of the Environment and Energy in the case of the Australian Antarctic Territory). Norfolk Island, which is permanently populated, was partially self-governing until 2015.
TerritoryFlagCoat of ArmsCapital(largest settlement)Population(Jun 2019)Area (km2)External territoriesAshmore and Cartier IslandsNone (offshore anchorage)0750Australian Antarctic TerritoryNone (Davis Station)Less than 1,0005,896,500 kmChristmas IslandFlying Fish Cove135Cocos (Keeling) IslandsWest Island14Coral Sea IslandsNone (Willis Island)4780,000Heard Island and McDonald IslandsNone (Atlas Cove)372Norfolk IslandKingston35
New Zealand
The Pacific islands of the Cook Islands and Niue became New Zealand's first colonies in 1901 and then protectorates. From 1965 the Cook Islands became self-governing, as did Niue from 1974. Tokelau came under New Zealand control in 1925 and remains a non-self-governing territory.