The impending visit of Britain’s Prince Charles and his wife, Camilla, prompts a call now made urgent as Queen Elizabeth grows more feeble: We reject having another British monarch reign over Canada.
“Our nation deserves a head of state who is Canadian and lives in this country, not someone from another continent, chosen by birthright, and on the basis of their religion,” says Republic Now director Ashok Charles. “We are not a colony of a long-ago empire.”
Poll after poll shows an absolute majority of Canadians do not want an imported monarchy to continue. Most also reject both Charles and William as king, but support is especially low for Charles. Fully 2/3rds (67%) of Canadians oppose him becoming “King of Canada”, according to an Angus Reid poll released three weeks ago. Camilla’s numbers are even more acute: Over three-quarters (76%) are against recognizing her as queen.
Yet here they come to mark Queen Elizabeth’s 70 years on the throne, and at Ottawa’s invitation. That’s puzzling, because we already have a stand-in for the queen. Perhaps Governor General Mary Simon isn’t British enough. Or perhaps the government wishes to condition us so we acquiesce to Charles’ face on every coin, stamps, and the $20 bill.
Maybe Ottawa hopes that, when the time comes, we won’t bristle at the oaths required of new citizens, city councillors, legislators, judges, police, the armed forces (and more) which insist we “be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, King of Canada”, instead of to the nation, itself. How absurd.
“With Queen Elizabeth in decline, and a huge margin against Charles as “our king”, it’s imperative that Canada patriate our head of state,” adds Ashok Charles. “We urge the prime minister and federal and provincial leaders to demonstrate the same patriotism and leadership their Commonwealth peers have shown in recent weeks.”
Barbados became a republic six months ago. Royal visits elsewhere this year have galvanized republican movements, and become platforms for change:
- Belize: a royal visit spawned a commission to become a republic
- Jamaica: an open letter from 100 prominent citizens rejected royalty, prefacing PM Andrew Holness’ declaration that the country will become a republic, echoed by the governor general
- Antigua & Barbuda: PM Gaston Browne says monarchy’s days are numbered
- St. Kitts & Nevis: deputy PM Shawn Richards announces the country is parting from the crown
- Bahamas: Prince William indicates the royals expect and embrace the coming changes
- Grenada: royal visit cancelled amid opposition
Meanwhile, in Canada…
Despite solid numbers in favour of a home-grown head of state, only one major federal leader has come out in support of a republic. Yet even Jagmeet Singh’s NDP platform does not include it. In Quebec, support for ending the monarchy exceeds 70%. Premier François Legault has committed to it, but taken no action.
“The Canada of 1952, when Elizabeth began her reign, is not the Canada of 2022,” affirms Ashok Charles. “We have grown in confidence, independence, and diversity. And we have awakened to the sins of colonialism, of which the crown is a symbol.”
This upcoming royal visit offers an opportunity to seriously consider the advantages of an office of head of state which is truly ours and ours alone, and which embodies our democratic, egalitarian values.