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Most importantly, we have a sovereign Parliament that makes these decisions in the national interest; a Parliament that is responsive to the Canadian electorate and does not need permission from unelected, supra-national bureaucrats to make changes to our laws. And we here in Canada would never consent to forming a political union with the United States and Mexico, with a supreme Parliament in New York that we would have to consult on day-to-day government decisions, and an open border with those countries.

Local decisions by local representatives — that’s the core of the Westminster system of responsible government that we inherited from Britain. Yet that’s no longer what’s practised in the U.K. The supremacy of Parliament — the will of the people expressed through their elected representatives — is increasingly being replaced by the dictates of EU bureaucrats in Brussels. The consequence is less self-determination, less local decision making and less economic dynamism. Britain’s foreign economic relations with historic partners such as Canada are now subject to an effective veto from countries such as Romania and Bulgaria. Then there’s the host of EU regulations covering everything from hair dressers to vacuum cleaners and olive oil.

The British people will make their decision on Thursday, as we here in Canada look on with great anticipation. A stronger, more independent and economically dynamic United Kingdom would not only be good for the country itself, it would also be good for Canada and the entire world.

Many Canadians marvel at the U.K.’s proud history and rich intellectual and political legacy. But it’s more than that. We share in an abiding confidence in the future — one that draws on our best ideals and traditions. The future is bright. It’s up to Britons to write it.

National Post

Andrew Scheer is the MP for Regina-Qu’Appelle and former speaker of the House of Commons.