Dear MP or Senator,
The death of Queen Elizabeth has thrust our country into a period of transition, prompting many to question our continued ties to the British monarchy. Polls consistently show a majority of Canadians want a qualified citizen, not a British royal, as head of state. And that majority keeps growing, while support for the monarchy drops. Fewer than one in five (19%) wants the crown to continue, here. Our country now has an opportunity to explore ways to patriate our highest office, while remaining a parliamentary democracy. As a representative of the people, we believe you have a responsibility to reflect the widespread interest in achieving a head of state all our own.
Consider some of the myriad ways the British monarchy is incongruent with Canada:
i) Our independent nation should not depend on another country for its head of state;
ii) Our democratic country ought to fill its highest office democratically;
iii) An egalitarian state that rewards merit, regardless of where or to whom you were born, should not assign its highest position based on birthright;
iv) A pluralistic, multicultural federation cannot hold one family of a single race above all others;
v) Our secular nation further refutes its core values by insisting its top post cannot be filled by a Jew, a Catholic, a Muslim, or someone of no faith, but only by a Christian and head of a single church- the Church of England
Consider, too, how shifting away from the British crown holds special appeal for numerous groups long aggrieved by its imperialism: French Canadians, Irish Canadians, First Nations, those of Acadian heritage, many African- and Caribbean-Canadians, and more. Further, replacing the British monarch with a qualified Canadian could well enhance national unity by dissolving a major complaint of Quebec sovereigntists. (Support for ending the monarchy is highest in Quebec.)
Canada deserves a chief office that is a fitting symbol to both ourselves and the world. As a Member of Parliament, we call on you to advocate a federal effort to transition to a democratically-selected head of state. Making headway can be done by creating a special office (as Australia has done); by directing an existing office to lead the task (as Jamaica has done); or by forming a committee to report to Parliament, as we did to create our flag. It would also be helpful to caucus with colleagues at the federal and provincial levels in this historic endeavour to make Canada more democratic, egalitarian, and to complete our last great act of nationhood.
This effort will take time, so let the work begin now. We are confident that an astute amendment will win majority support in Parliament and across the country’s legislatures. While that process launches, other changes can be achieved more quickly:
- Amending the Citizenship Oath so it pledges allegiance to Canada, not a monarch;
- Transition our coins and $20 bill to honour historic Canadians;
- Stop issuing stamps featuring British royals;
- Offer military and other patronages to deserving Canadians;
- Give the Canadian flag precedence before royal & viceregal flags;
- Cease compulsory and suggested use of the British flag & anthem;
- Design a coat of arms free of colonial symbols;
- Create a Great Seal of Canada unencumbered by monarchical motifs
Many of these can be realized even without legislation by simply changing regulations or directing departments to act. We urge you to initiate and support these advances.
Our country’s history is marked by milestones that saw us emerge from an outpost of empire to become a proud nation spanning a continent. From creating citizenship to having our own flag; from asserting judicial sovereignty to assuming autonomy in global affairs; from drafting the Charter of Rights and Freedoms to taking command of the Constitution- ours has been a steady march to an independent, democratic country that is a beacon of hope to the world. It’s time our highest office evolved to reflect that.
We look forward to opening a discussion with you.
Sincerely,
Ashok Charles
Director, Republic Now