The Case Against the Monarchy

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The Monarchy in Canada is not a subject often up for debate. Largely due to the vast minority of Canadians that bother caring about it at all - both monarchists and anti-monarchists number in the relative few, with it rarely if ever being an issue outside of Quebec, “surprisingly” the hotbed of anti-monarchist sentiment. Unlike some of our fellows in the commonwealth, Canada has never even flirted with the idea of abolishing our head of state. I have always looked forward to the day where I might make the case that it is overdue.

Quick! Ask yourself who the Governor General is. Now stop, did you have to ask yourself what a Governor General is? (Fellow Canadian political junkies, you don’t count), chances are you’re not alone. While I couldn’t find a poll from the last ten years to back up my claim, even if you know what I’m talking about, try to count how many people you know that can answer the first two questions. It was when I made my second ever short film in college, featuring a fictional Governor General as one of the main characters, I found out there were exactly zero people in not only my year but the senior year of the program that had a clue what that was, and my film left everyone rather confused. With this experience being a common one, have we ever stopped to ask ourselves why we spend tens of millions of dollars preserving an institution that few even bother knowing about?

In case you didn’t know, the Governor General is our symbolic acting head of state when the monarch themself is not present in the nation (which is exceedingly rare), and they hold the ceremonial power to officially call elections, swear in the PM and Cabinet, etc. In other words, a very expensive rubber stamp. Now enough on the Governor General (I’m sure this is plenty more coverage than they’re used to anyways) you likely clicked on this article for the people you have heard of, like His Royal Highness King Charles III. The man chosen by the Christian God to lord over us all for as long as he may live. While I’m sure you can gather my thoughts on such dated nonsense, I'm not here to discuss the personal side of it, as while many casual anti-monarchist sentiments, in my experience, stem from a personal dislike of his majesty or the royal family as a whole, I maintain mine is a practical one. Canadians have long outlived being royal subjects. You can pick from 1926 (King-Byng), 1947 (Canadian citizenship established), or even 1982 (New constitution), but Canada and Canadians have long been meaningfully independent from the Crown and mother Britain. There is but one string left to cut. Why bother cutting it? You may ask. Because I find it to be an outdated piece in our system’s puzzle, no longer core to the Canadian identity, nothing more than the faraway symbol our politicians and new citizens pledge their undying loyalty to. A symbol Canadian by technicality, rarely by practice, a symbol of ultimate British superiority over the French and Indigenous peoples, and a symbol no longer reflective of a multicultural modern nation, but a dominion it once was and will never return to, equally proud of its three founding peoples, though it has outgrown them thus.

It is often said the monarchy is the very essence of what it means to be Canadian, and while historically so, I don’t find that to be true in the modern day. Canada ended a race-based system of immigration in the 60s, and with that came a flood of new people seeking better opportunities, including my own family, with no connection to the crown whatsoever. These people were not united by a faraway monarch but by a welcoming culture of hard work and mutual respect. I am not a monarchist because I was raised in a country where I was different, but when surrounded by endless different others I found myself belonging. That affirmation is the essence of our culture, for hundreds of years Canada has welcomed the world and made us so much more than simply one thing or another. A Canadian is a Canadian is a Canadian, not simply a subject of the British royal family, a symbol of systemic superiority over all peoples who have called this land their home.

It is often said the monarchy is the very essence of what it means to be Canadian, and while historically so, I don’t find that to be true in the modern day. Canada ended a race-based system of immigration in the 60s, and with that came a flood of new people seeking better opportunities, including my own family, with no connection to the crown whatsoever. These people were not united by a faraway monarch but by a welcoming culture of hard work and mutual respect. I am not a monarchist because I was raised in a country where I was different, but when surrounded by endless different others I found myself belonging. That affirmation is the essence of our culture, for hundreds of years Canada has welcomed the world and made us so much more than simply one thing or another. A Canadian is a Canadian is a Canadian, not simply a subject of the British royal family, a symbol of systemic superiority over all peoples who have called this land their home.

Thank you to Nathan for agreeing to present the Case For the Monarchy, a democracy is a dialogue, so make sure you check out his article!

P.S A common rebuttal to the idea of abandoning the monarchy is that of a replacement. A symbolic head of state is a common thing to be found around the world, and though I’m sure Canada would survive without one, for an easier transition one could absolutely be on the table. After all, a replacement could be used to solve the main problems I cited. One that is generally inexpensive, relevant, and above all, Canadian. A British born and raised King, who conducts a majority of his affairs and business in a foreign country is not the ultimate representation of Canada. It is time for us to truly define that ourselves. Thus, I turn it to you dear reader, what would you propose we change, if you support change at all? Be sure to let us know your thoughts!

P.P.S This issue is not remotely relevant to the world we’re living in right now, and serious consideration on something as relatively unimportant as this should be treated as a luxury to be enjoyed during times of relative stability. I would also like to clarify I believe this is a debate that requires a thorough national conversation and be ultimately decided by referendum. Who knows, maybe I’m wrong and there are more Mary May Simon fans out there than I could’ve guessed!