It's about bloody time: Canadian support for monarchy drops dramatically

Finally. Some great news.

It’s been pretty hard being a Canadian of late.

Not only do we have a right-wing buffoon for a prime minister, but the progressive majority here has been left with no attractive, electable alternative.

Then there’s the fact that Canada is one of the world’s worst environmental degraders. The oil sands of Alberta is a bigger pox on the land with each passing day –a pox not only on the environmental landscape but also on our country’s once-stellar international reputation.

Furthermore, our justice system is a joke. We’ve got bishops in charge of sex abuse compensation claims caught with child porn. And Celine Dion continues to record music.

And, on top of all this misery, we still inexplicably have some foreign, overseas, in-bred family serving as this country’s monarchy and head of state. A reality that becomes more and more pathetic as Canada moves further away from its distant colonial past.

But this is where the good news comes in. A new poll suggests that 60 percent of Canadians think that the monarchy is outdated and irrelevant to the modern world.

Well, what the hell took you so long, Canada? I mean, seriously, is anything more ridiculous than having someone on the other side of the world as this country’s head of state? It’s nothing personal Queen Liz, but your institution is simply archaic. Archaic, asinine, and absurd.

As I wrote in an earlier piece on this subject, The God Save The Queen Rant, the whole notion of a monarchy–that is, the whole notion of some people being born with a right to rule due to some ridiculous idea of superior blood lines or what have you–is not just out of step with modern day Canadian values, it’s actually antithetical to everything Canada is supposed to stand for.

Those who say that it’s all just tradition and that such symbolism means nothing are, in my mind, akin to those in the Deep South who want to fly the Confederate flag over their state houses. Symbolism does, in fact, matter.

No Longer A British Nation
Besides, modern day Canada is no more a “British nation” than it is a country that needs feudal European forms of governance.

Does anyone really think the majority of Canadians who now trace their roots to someplace other than Great Britain–places such as Ireland, Italy, Scandinavia, China, India, Haiti, Ukraine, North America (First Nations), and the Philippines, not to mention France–are really all that tied to this archaic British institution? Is it really supposed to make them feel Canadian?

There are actually people who claim that without the monarchy, Canada would just be another American state, as if what makes Canada a distinct nation from the U.S. is nothing more than our antiquated and obsolete ties to the Queen and Chuck and Di and the boys. Seriously, anyone who really believes such nonsense should probably just move down to the States themselves because they have no idea what, in fact, makes Canada the wonderful nation that it is.

A Modern Nation
So, once again, it’s great to see that the number of Canadians who are ready to say goodbye to the old gal (and her family) across the sea has become such a clear majority. Hopefully, someday very soon, Canada can finally become a fully-independent nation with enough confidence and sense of self-respect to have its own head of state.

Think about it: A head of state who actually lives right here in Canada.

Hell, not only could we have a Canadian for head of state, but–imagine this–we could also have someone who has actually accomplished something of some relevance with their life.

Sure, we may have more pressing issues to deal with in this country–none more so than those hideous oil sands. However, I’d say that becoming a fully-modern, self-reliant nation with its own head of state is also, without a doubt, something that’s long overdue and must finally be addressed.

It’s time to cut the umbilical cord, Canada. It’s time to finally move on and become a modern republic.

Mike Cowie is a freelance writer who writes about politics, music, film, travel, and much more. You can read more of Mike’s views on his Web site.

Comments

61 Comments

Denis

Oct 27, 2009 at 7:20pm

We will be a modern nation when we drop folks like Harper as PM. The Queen and most of her immediate family pull their weight. A number of the males have served their country, two in very dangerous situations in the last number of years. When I see Canadian politcians sending their kids to Afghanistan, lets then discuss some more, the role of the Monarcy. I swore allegience to her, way back when and she is still my Queen and Charles will be my king eventually.

0 0Rating: 0

leaftones@shaw.ca

Oct 27, 2009 at 8:50pm

I'm with you - 45 and finally see society here start being representative of reason.

0 0Rating: 0

John Cox

Oct 27, 2009 at 10:32pm

To suggest that one poll indicates a dramatic drop in support for the monarchy is not only unjustified - it is a falsification. One poll does not show a trend, or any reduction. Without other polls to compare it with there is simply no basis for reaching the conclusion that the writer has reached.

Of course the extremely zenophobic and racist tone of the article suggests that the absence of logic wouldn't stand in the way of viciously attacking our Sovereign.

0 0Rating: 0

RodSmelser

Oct 27, 2009 at 11:27pm

If this piece were on The Tyee, it would have been written by Vanessa Richmond. Enough said.
Rod Smelser

0 0Rating: 0

Susan

Oct 28, 2009 at 2:39am

I am a Canadian living in England and what I've realised is that people like Denis are more committed to the Queen and England than they are to him. Saying we need the Queen as a head of state is saying you have no confidence or self-esteem in our own nation. We do not need a Queen to define ourselves, or differentiate ourselves from Americans. Trust me, outside of watching Coronation Street we have very little in common with the British. Very little. And to the majority of the British, we are seen as a colonial nation - a term and status that, I believe, is a relic from colonial days better left in the past. Canada gives the British a lasting taste of those glory days when the sun never set on their empire but those days have longed past -- except for in a few remaining countries like ours, that have been too passive and perhaps, unsure of our own identities to shake them off. But Great Britain now is a vastly changed nation than it was then -- a shadow of itself, yet we cling on. The ties to the crown were relevant once, and helped us to build our great country, but we're all grown up now and don't need to hide behind the Queen's apron strings any more -- especially since she is having enough trouble running her own household.
Canada has asserted itself on the world stage in many ways, but to be taken truly seriously at that level, we need to have a Canadian as our true head of state and then we will stand as equals with nations like Great Britain.
I also believe that cutting the British monarchs out of our national identity would also serve as an important gesture in smoothing English Canada's relations with French Canada. This is an important debate and I hope every Canadian will think hard about what makes them a Canadian, and whether they feel the Queen or future King, or even the appointed GG have any relevance in that identity.

0 0Rating: 0

June

Oct 28, 2009 at 10:29am

Why, someone's got a massive chip on their shoulder. As for, "accomplished something of some relevance with their life."---even the most ardent republicans usually, providing they have the intelligence, recognise that the Queen has faultlessly represented the commonwealth realms for over half a century. What people recognise, what makes them feel Canadian-is all so subjective andyour naive idealism is no match for the sheer pragmatism of the monarchy: There is no perfect expression of represetative and constitutional power (show me a system that truly is qithout its absurd sides) but this one can command far greater affection (as well as legitimacy as reigns stretch into decaes, outlasting government after government) than some ceremonial president or alternative system ever can. Long live "Queen Liz!"

0 0Rating: 0

Stephen

Oct 28, 2009 at 12:08pm

The author's diatribe is typical of the attacks launched every so often by this country's miniscule band of self-styled republicans. While finding fault with the idea of monarchy, they never acknowledge the versatility of the institution or the creditable performance of constitutional monarchy both here and abroad. Monarchy is the oldest continuously existing political institution in Canada. It has survived by evolving to meet our changing political needs, including our emergence as a fully independent state under the Statute of Westminster of 1931. Today, some of the most stable, prosperous, and, yes, egalitarian societies combine parliamentary democracy with constitutional monarchy (e.g., Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands, Spain, Belgium, New Zealand, and Australia).

For the most part it seems to work well. And it provides a tangible connection to a political history that long pre-dates Confederation. Speaking of history, I wish those who so blithely dismiss our collective history as "irrelevant" would first take the time to learn it. They might be less quick to disparage it. At the same time, they should ponder the wisdom of replacing a non-partisan head of state with an elected party politician.

I would agree with critics of the crown in Canada to this extent: we should take a more active role in seeking needed reforms to the monarchy. Working with other Commonwealth countries who share QEII as their head of state, we should seek agreement on the abolition of the bar on Roman Catholic accession to the throne and to the law of primogeniture that privileges male heirs. The Scandinavian monarchies provide a good model in that regard. We might also insist that Governments in Canada exercise better judgement in selecting Governors General. Since the crown plays a crucial constitutional role in our system of government--a point that was powerfully underscored by the political turmoil on Parliament Hill last December--we ought to have a GG who is learned in the practices and conventions of parliamentary government.

0 0Rating: 0

John R

Oct 28, 2009 at 2:21pm

I agree with Steve. He makes a great ponit about the advantages of a constitutional monarchy, of which there are many. But why the British Monarchy? We are a noble nation with our own noble history. To pledge allegiance to a nation with so much blood and bigottry on its hands (sorry about the mixed metaphor) seems ridiculous.

So how 'bout a Canadian Monarchy?! Trudeau's kids have nothing but time on their hands. Na, they smoke too much pot; it'd never work. But we could settle on a royal family with, say, a hockey game. You know, a measure of merrit equally innane as the British being "born into" nobility. Ha, you monarchists are a hoot.

God save us from the Queen!

sticky wicket

Oct 28, 2009 at 5:05pm

I would like a little stipend each month , to get me nails polished, to have a massage ! The very cheek of the lot that agree with sending money to support the Monarchy! Canadians pay more to support a system that has long since been passe' in this Country, than the Brits do ! Happy Halloween Mike. I'm going out this year as Prince Phillip, forty percent of Canadians will put some of that candy in my goody bag, not a bad return for very little effort.

0 0Rating: 0

puzzled earthling

Oct 28, 2009 at 7:47pm

The symbolism of the monarchy does untold damage to the Canadian psyche. Canadians have traditionally been a group of people who have very little confidence in their own abilities. Over the years, as we have adopted Canadian institutions in place of imperial ones -- O Canada instead of Good Save the Queen, the Canadian flag instead of the red ensign, Canadian citizenship instead of the status of subject of the British Empire, a Canadian constitution instead of the British North America Act --- our confidence has slowly been growing and our contributions to the world have been increasing along with it.
The replacement of the British monarchy with a Canadian head of state is a logical and healthy final step in that evolution.

0 0Rating: 0