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Home , Constitutional monarchy, The Crown

THE MONARCHIST LEAGUE OF LA LIGUE MONARCHISTE DU CANADA monarchist.ca PO Box 1057, RPO Lakeshore West, Oakville, ON L6K 0B2 [email protected] THE CASE FOR THE 9 Key advantages

NATIONAL IDENTITY, STABILITY & PRIDE: GUARANTOR OF FREEDOM: – 1Easy travel to and from the USA, trade and 3The Queen, the Senate, the elected . military alliances and American media can No , regulation or spending is authorized muddle Canada’s distinct identity. Our governance without the . Parliament is summoned focuses loyalty via allegiance to a rather and dissolved in The Queen’s name. Also in her name, than to a politician or ideology. This difference public officials and diplomats are appointed, treaties underlies our distinct culture, energetic and yet approved, cabinets commissioned. Normally, this is a tranquil. Constitutional – the Canadian formality. However, “the ” ensures way – provides stability. This is confirmed each year that the rules of law prevails, and provides a non- in the United Nations’ Human Development Index, , non-violent safeguard – a constitutional which regularly ranks Canada high up in the fire extinguisher as political scientist Frank countries the world. Change is inevitable, and MacKinnon has put it – should usual democratic much of it good; political leaders also come and go. processes ever be threatened. For example, even a Canadians have voted in 22 federal elections during popular could not simply dispense The Queen’s reign! provides constancy with holding an election! amidst so much change. The Sovereign has the REFEREE OF : ELEVEN experience of decades, without the taint of a – Canada is a federal : our personal agenda. Such continuity constitutes 4 gives law-making power in an important anchor in our society. certain areas to Ottawa, others to the provinces. HEAD OF THE NATION VS HEAD exercise this authority in the name of 2OF GOVERNMENT: Day to day our The Queen. Thus 11 Crowns exist in Canada – legally democratically elected representatives referred to as “The Queen in right of Canada” or engage in healthy partisan debate on issues about “The Queen in right of” a province. The , which Canadians disagree. That is good. It encourages including the separatist René Levesque, underlined striving for partisan goals and personal success. the importance of the Crown in their key 1978 The Prime is our and Constitutional statement. Since the monarchy leader of a . As such, his actions are gives authority to each law-making entity, it also often controversial. The Sovereign, however, is a guarantees that the rule of law will be followed in force of unity as head of the nation, and with her dealing with disputes between Ottawa and the team of representatives is trusted by all Canadians. provinces. These facts explain the strong support by The monarchy protects and exemplifies the things the provinces for the institution of monarchy, which Canadians agree about, and remain constant, reconciles regional identity with national unity. regardless of an election: a notably tolerant, mature OATHS: USEFUL & PERSONAL: The deepest society, By presiding at events such as the Montréal loyalties of humans are to other human beings. Olympics and Canada Day celebrations on Parliament 5 Oaths are taken to The Queen by our new Hill, The Queen and her family emphasize the non- fellow Canadians, legislators, judges, CF members and partisan, unifying nature of great national occasions. many other public officials. Making their promise to Canada’s form of government. In 1982, Canada’s the Sovereign rather than to a politician shows their new Constitution entrenched the Crown so that ultimate loyalty is not to elected figures, but to the only unanimous federal-provincial agreement could laws that make up the fabric of civilized society. ever alter it. Parliament unanimously passing the Such Oaths underline that following the rule of law Succession to the Act in 2013 removed barriers applicable to all must prevail over partisanship – of gender in determining our future monarchs. acting to promote the well-being of a narrow COMMUNITY, VOLUNTEERISM, segment of society. Oaths to The Queen also reflect RECOGNITION – In their constant round Canada’s emphasis on the importance of the person, 8 of travels, The Queen, members of the Royal and of the dignity and equality of each individual: Family and her Canadian representatives bring the moment new citizens take the Citizenship Oath encouragement to the communities and volunteer they become full members of the Canadian family. sectors: a vital part of our national existence. They Each Canadian gives allegiance to The Queen, so inspire many to similar service. They create and reciprocating her decades of service to all Canada. award non-political honours to outstanding fellow A SHARED MONARCHY: Canadians are citizens. These Royal and vice-regal activities do not 6fortunate to have as our monarch an instantly often feature on national news programs. Opening a recognizable world figure. The Queen and new library, visiting a Legion Hall, speaking to a members of the link our diverse school class or lunching with a local service population to a far-flung Commonwealth, unique in club are not on the media’s radar. But they constitute that it seeks no military advantage. These nations – the basis of our civil society, and bring significant from New Guinea to , from to pride and assistance to Canada’s communities. – mirror the rich diversity of today’s Canada. A = DISTRACTING & In 2010, our Queen flew from to New York, UNDESIRABLE – No one has yet proposed an where she addressed the United Nations. The night 9 alternative system of government for Canada before, The Queen proudly told an Official Dinner in which would in the same way reflect our nation’s Toronto that “I shall be travelling from this Northern history and be superior to as Queen of Canada”. The General in terms of the day-to-day functioning of the and the Lieutenant represent The Queen Canadian state. Canadians remember the wrenching and perform most of the constitutional functions of constitutional debates of the last century . Such the Sovereign in her name. This arrangement allows arguments did nothing to help practical concerns: our country to share in the traditions of an ancient the environment, crowded classrooms, access to monarchy stemming out of Canada’s history, while at health care and support for single-parent and low- the same time we enjoy the services of distinguished income families. A would make fellow citizens – think of Major-General Georges Canada more closely resemble the United States, Vanier, Lincoln Alexander, David Lam and Lynda combining the role of with head of Haverstock, to name but a few – who served Crown government. As our American friends re-discovered and country with great distinction. during impeachment processes in the Trump A REFLECTION OF OUR HISTORY administration, this proves an unhappy combination. 7& DEVELOPMENT: Today’s monarchy stems Alternatively, the election of a president or governor from our history. Many of Canada’s first general would simply create another politician, chose chieftains whose role was much like offer another level of personal ambition, necessitate that of other leaders in ancient times. Settlement by another set of elections and make the holder of French and British brought to Canada their that office beholden to the interests of the different own experience of monarchy. Many subsequent factions and groups to which the result was owed. immigrants have also known the monarchical system of government. In 1867, the Fathers of monarchist.ca unanimously chose constitutional monarchy as