Monarchism in Canada

Fireworks at Toronto in 2008 celebrate Victoria Day, both the natural birthday of Queen Victoria and official birthday of the reigning Canadian monarch.
A skating party held in Montreal to celebrate a visit to the city by Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn.
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Canadian monarchism is a movement for raising awareness of Canada's constitutional monarchy among the Canadian public, and advocating for its retention, countering republican and anti-monarchical reform as being generally revisionist, idealistic, and ultimately impracticable.[1] Generally, Canadian monarchism runs counter to anti-monarchist republicanism, but not necessarily to the classical form of republicanism itself, as most monarchists in Canada support the constitutional variety of monarchy, sometimes referred to as a crowned republic.[2] These beliefs can be expressed either individually—generally in academic circles—or through what are known as loyal societies,[3] which include the Monarchist League of Canada,[4] legions, historical groups, ethnic organizations,[5] and sometimes police and scout bodies. Though there may be overlap, this concept should not be confused with royalism, the support of a particular monarch or dynasty; Canadian monarchists may appreciate the monarchy without thinking highly of the monarch.[6][7] There have also been, from time to time, suggestions in favour of a uniquely Canadian monarch, either one headed by a descendant of the present monarch and resident in Canada or one based on a First Nations royal house.[8][9]

In Canada, monarchism, though it is sometimes mocked by its opponents,[10] is driven by various factors: monarchists support the perceived practicality of popular power being ultimately placed in the hands of a non-partisan, apolitical individual, and see the Canadian monarchy as a modern link, via the Crown's shared nature, to ethnically and historically similar countries around the world.[6] It is also celebrated by monarchists as being a significant element of Canada's national identity,[11] stemming from the organization's 500-year deep roots in the country's tradition,[12] as well as having a pivotal role in maintaining Canada's independence from the United States.[13] David E. Smith asserted in 2017 that the Canadian Crown is not only the "keystone of the constitutional architecture of Canada", but also "an index both of the history of Canadian development as a federation and as an autonomous member of the Commonwealth."[14]

Though polling has traditionally suggested little interest in removing the monarchy during the reign of Elizabeth II, more recent polls conducted in 2022 and 2023 following the accession of Charles III, suggested that a majority of Canadians think there should be a referendum on the future of the monarchy and that more Canadians now favour becoming a republic than do retaining the monarchy.[15][16][17]

  1. ^ Valpy, Michael (May 1999). "Don't Mess With Success – and Good Luck Trying" (PDF). Policy Options. Montreal: Institute for Research on Public Policy. p. 26. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 June 2011. Retrieved 17 February 2009.
  2. ^ Valpy, Michael (13 November 2009). "The monarchy: Offshore, but built-in". The Globe and Mail. Toronto. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  3. ^ Gowdy, Douglas M. (18 October 1967). "Loyal Societies Dinner in Honor of Princess Alexandra. Remarks by Douglas M. Gowdy. The Loyal Societies Toast to Canada by Col. B.J. Legge.". In Empire Club of Canada (ed.). The Empire Club of Canada Addresses, 1967–1968. Toronto: The Empire Club Foundation (published 1968). pp. 107–113. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  4. ^ "Monarchist League of Canada". Monarchist League of Canada. Archived from the original on 7 July 2009. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  5. ^ "Royal Society of St. George, British Columbia Branch > About". Royal Society of St. George BC Branch. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  6. ^ a b Buchan, John (1969). Canadian Occasions: Addresses. Manchester: Ayer Publishing. p. 99. ISBN 978-0-8369-1275-3.
  7. ^ Lakritz, Naomi (28 October 2009). "Our ties to monarchy are bigger than the royals". Calgary Herald. Retrieved 2 November 2009.[permanent dead link‍]
  8. ^ Coyne, Andrew (13 November 2009). "Defending the royals". Maclean's. Toronto: Rogers Communications. ISSN 0024-9262. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  9. ^ Clarke, George Elliott (7 June 2005). "Speech to the University of Alberta Convocation". In Lingley, Scott (ed.). Clarke calls on grads to help achieve the ideals of Canada. Calgary: University of Alberta Senate. Archived from the original on 23 February 2012. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  10. ^ "The fight for the Republic of Canada". Ottawa Citizen. 16 November 2004. Archived from the original on 7 November 2012. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  11. ^ Michener, Roland (1971) [19 November 1970]. "The Empire Club of Canada Speeches 1970–1971". Toronto: The Empire Club Foundation. pp. 130–149. Archived from the original on 5 August 2009. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  12. ^ Valpy, Michael (2 February 2002). "Reasons to love the Queen: No. 1, she's funky". The Globe and Mail. Archived from the original on 26 May 2004. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  13. ^ Toffoli, Gary; Bousfield, Arthur. "The Monarchy and Canadian Independence". Canadian Royal Heritage Trust. Archived from the original on 1 July 2007. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  14. ^ Smith, David E. (2017), The Constitution in a Hall of Mirrors: Canada at 150, Toronto: University of Toronto Press, pp. iii, 135, ISBN 978-1-4875-0247-8
  15. ^ "Canadians Conflicted on Future Role of Monarchy as Half (54%) Say Canada Should End Ties to Monarchy". ipsos.com. Ipsos. 16 September 2022. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  16. ^ "New poll reveals why Canadians won't abolish the monarchy even though they don't like it". nationalpost.com. 3 May 2023.
  17. ^ Polls (LordAshcroftPolls.com), Lord Ashcroft. "LORD ASHCROFT POLLS : AHEAD OF CORONATION, NEW POLL FINDS CANADA WOULD VOTE TO BECOME A REPUBLIC - BUT MOST SAY OTHER ISSUES MATTER MORE". www.newswire.ca. Retrieved 16 October 2023.