The Monarchy Debate CLN4U

The role of the Monarchy Government organized as a Federal System, and run as a parliamentary democracy We are also a Constitutional Monarchy Monarch (i.e. Queen Elizabeth II) is official head of state, but within the confines of a constitution

What does the Queen actually do? The constitution gives the Queen (or more specifically her representative, the Governor General), the responsibility for summoning and dismissing parliament, calling elections, and appointing governments New laws require Royal Assent These are more or less ceremonial – the GG basically does what parliament says

The Debate The monarchy as a system (i.e. costs associated with the GG) costs Canadians somewhere between $40-$50 million/year Revenues associated with monarchy? Some argue that since we are an independent country, and it’s the 21 st century, we should abolish the monarchy

The Debate Pros/Cons of Monarchy?

Some Stats (EKOS 2002) 52% of Canadians think that "the monarchy is an outdated and regressive institution that has no real relevance to most of Canadians today." The poll did find, however, that 55% of Canadians think "the monarchy is one of those important things that provides Canadians with unique identity separate from the U.S,"

Some Stats (Léger Marketing 2002) 50%, of Canadians believed that the connection with the monarchy should be preserved, while 43% disagreed

Some Stats (COMPAS 2002) 63% of Canadians "believe the monarchy should retain or strengthen its role in Canada,“ 12% felt moderately that the monarchy should be abolished 18% felt strongly about the same

Some Stats (Strategic Counsel 2005) 47% supporting and 47% opposed to retention of the British monarchy

Some Stats (Léger Marketing 2009) 45% of Canadians consider the monarchy to be useless to Canada and feel that the country should sever all formal ties with the Queen 44% considered the monarchy to be a tradition that should be maintained

Some Stats (Angus Reid 2010) 69% of Canadians would like to see a Canadian serving as Canada's head of state 52% support reopening the constitutional debate to discuss replacing the monarchy with an elected head of state 33% preferred Canada to remain a monarchy

Some Stats (Ipsos-Reid 2010) 2/3 of Canadians agree the royal family should not have any formal role in Canadian society 58% of Canadians want Canada to end ties to monarchy when Queen Elizabeth II's reign ends

How would we do it? 1. Hold a national referendum on a Yes-or-No question: “Should Canada sever ties with the British monarchy?” 2. If the majority says “yes”, a federal commission should examine how we could select a head of state (ex: direct election or appointment by the federal Parliament) 3. A second referendum would be held on the commission’s top two recommended methods of choosing the next head of state Bob Hepburn. The Queen: Three Step to Replace the Monarchy. The Toronto Star. May

More details See handouts Summarize strongest arguments Class vote