It doesn’t seem to matter that Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall are landing in Canada to celebrate the country’s 150th anniversary, half of Canadian’s wish to see the end of the monarchy after Queen Elizabeth dies.
A poll done for Ipsos for Global News determined that after Her Majesty passes on, 61 percent of Canadians don’t think the Monarch and Royal Family should play a formal role.
Sean Simpson, vice-president of Ipsos Public Affairs spoke to Global News about the poll: “The question is do we continue with the monarchy and that’s a more divisive issue. We have Canadians split down the middle, and demographics are important for this – Quebec is anti-monarchist,
“It’s split down the middle and pits Quebec against the rest of the country. That’s a disaster for Canada.”
That disaster may be averted though as explained by Emmett Macfarlane, assistant professor of political science at the University of Waterloo.
“Any change we made of that nature that would really disrupt if not abolish the office of the Queen requires a constitutional amendment with unanimous support of the provinces. So all provinces would have to agree in addition to the federal Parliament,” as the monarchy is written into the constitution.
In the unlikely event that all the provinces get on the same page, the monarchy still might be completely out.
“On the one hand maybe what offends people about the monarchy in Canada is that the royal line of succession is really housed across the pond in Great Britain,” said Macfarlane.
“A more modest reform would be we retain the Crown, but we constitutionally entrench the embodiment of that crown in someone who is physically in Canada and we appoint them much the way the Governor General is appointed now.”
So I am looking at you fellow Canadians, anyone with a squeaky clean record who wants to step up to the plate?
Or things could go the other way and Canada could become a republic with “an elected head of state who would functionally be a president instead of a king or queen,” clarified Macfarlane.
“That would be a fundamental change to our constitution and how our politics work because you can imagine that someone who has all those formal powers and is elected would decide that they have the democratic legitimacy to act on their own discretion in exercising those powers.”
A republic would also cost Canadian’s way more than a monarchy as an elected head of state would need a larger staff than the current Governor General.
Although there is no need to worry yet, both Macfarlane and Simpson agree that the Monarchy isn’t really on Canadian’s “to-do list” so if it isn’t broke, why fix it?
Do you think Canada should keep the Monarchy as is, become a Republic, or Crown a Canadian (if so, who?)? Let us know in the comments.
Doesn’t the Prime Ministerr count for something, or is he a ‘figurehead’, too?
He’s an elected representative of the peasants.
Who are the peasants of Canada?
His position is temporary and he is not part of the Nobility.
Although the British Nobility is a fucking joke anyways.
Alays one has to resort to foul language!!
When you´re talking to genocidal assholes who killed 180,000,000 humans on earth in the past 200 years like the English, of course, what the fuck is wrong with you fucking slut?
forgot to take you meds again?? GO AWAY!!
You’re this fucking close to another terrorist attack hitting London because of your dirty fucking mouth.
PETs brat is an embarrassment.
And a new found friend of Donald Trump’s according to a tweet DT posted in wishing Canadians a happy Canada Day.
As a American, all I can say is that, at the present time, with Trump as U.S. president and a polarized Congress, Canada’s parliamentary system, whether figurehead monarch or figurehead president, is preferable to the American presidential/congressional system. In terms of the monarchy, Elizabeth II has served well as a Canadian head of state despite her being “across the pond.” She is one of the most admired heads of state in the world. However, despite the monarch’s physical distance (aside from royal tours), the monarchy in Canada has gradually become “Canadianized” through the offices of governor-general and the lieutenant-governors. Canada doesn’t have to end “The Crown.” It is an effective concept of sovereignty that rises above the political maelstrom and provides a focus of unity. If Canada ever does opt for a presidential head of state (and I don’t see the need for one), he or she should be worthy of respect, not a reality-TV star-cum-politician. So far, the Canadian monarchy, even with Prince (King) Charles “across the pond,” the Canadian Crown, from monarch to governor-general to lieutenant-governors, fits the bill for symbolic leadership better than a political hack or “celebrity.”
Well said, the Monarchy and its institutions have well served Canada and Canadians. In fact before Canada “was” the institutions were protecting and building the land. I too don’t accept the statistic quoted and even it was so, it doesn’t matter. The Monarchy is Canada and cannot be voted out.
Nicely said.
The Queen’s eldest great-grandchild is Canadian! Savannah Phillips is the daughter of Autumn Kelly who is herself from Quebec. This could be a solution that may just fit like a white glove!
As a Canadian, I really question this statistic – this is not the statistic which has been posted here in Canada – many more Canadians want the monarchy than 50%
First of all, someone should spell check this article, it should be Canadians’
Of course, keep the monarchy and continue to follow Canada’s long tradition. Both Queen Elizabeth II and her Father, King George VI loved the canadian people and represented them very well.
QEII’s mother loved Canada too, sayIng to her great grandchildren: ‘Canada made us’ according to Prince William on his and Duchess Kate’s visit 6 years ago,
The attacks will continue on you fucking barbarians.
I think having a separate Head of State and Head of Government makes a lot of sense. If you start there then the only question is who should be Head of State. Since it’s likely to be a largely ceremonial role and holding certain authority denied to the Head of Government it should be someone above politics and someone with gravitas. The Queen fits the bill perfectly given her link to history.
This “article” is utter nonsense written by a republican idiot. 61%, only if you did the entire poll in Montreal. Next time try reporting facts instead of contrived garbage.
I agree with the pro-Monarchy statements. Our ties with the Crown makes Canada that more special and unique. It is unfortunate we do special work visa agreements in place with the UK as Commonwealth Citizens.