should monarchy be abolished in canada or not?
2006-10-10 12:38:04 · 9 answers · asked by falzy jay 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Government
The advantages of monarchy:
Gives us a politically neutral system on which the political element of government can pivot. For instance the queen, through the governor general, does not govern Canada, makes no laws, enforces no laws... however each party can refer to the governor general as far as rules of governing are concerned. The PM can ask the governor general to dismiss parliament, and the when the GG does so, he (she now) is not doing a political action, but simply fulfilling the constitution. If the Prime Minister did it himself, he could be accused of manipulating the system.
Also, if there were a deadlock in parliament as what once happened in Australia - the party in power had a minority government, and the other parties together were consistently preventing the party in power frompassing any laws, but the party in power refused to resign. The Governor General had the power - and used it - to fire the prime minister and call an election- then, in order to keep his positoin a-political, the governor general resigned himself. An elevction was called, and the power that won the election was able to govern.
That would be perfectly legal in Canada even though it would be an extremely rare happening (Australia is the only country I've heard of it happening).
The monarchy is also a beautiful tradition.
Disadvantages? -
It is expensive. - Although if we didn't have monarchy we would have another system to replace it that would be at least as expensive.
It is not elected - but if it were we would lose the advantagbe of having a non-political institution in the middle of our political turmoils.
My remarks are obviously implying that no, we should not abolish it. Perhaps some reforms would need to be made, but not abolish it.
As far as remaining in the Commonwealth of nations is concerned, we could remain in it even without having a monarchy (see India).
2006-10-10 17:03:16 · answer #1 · answered by Mr Ed 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I like the historical link that we have with Britain personally. It's kinda useless, but what do we really gain out of abolishing the monarchy? Austrailia rejected their proposal to abolish the monarchy because they came up with a crappy alternative. They figured it would be ok for Parliament to elect the president, give him/her no powers, and keep the people uninvolved. That was why it was rejected and I can't help but think the same thing would happen here. The last thing I would want to see is some political hack being appointed as the new "president". I'd much rather have the Queen be there despite whatever image problems her family may have.
2006-10-12 18:26:05 · answer #2 · answered by Johnny Canuck 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes there is a monarchy. Our head of state is the queen with the Governer-General as her representative. But it is more pecedural than anything the constitution of 1982 which was just an addition to the BNA of 1867. It established that only a majority of Canadians can change our constitution, and no permission is needed by the queen anymore. The only disadvantage of the commonwealth that we have here is the political system, our PM being chosen of the membership of the political party in power. But you asked monarchy, we are still part of it we have not abolished it, but as i said more for symbolic of our history than anything. Technically the Queen has no say over here. So yes to keeping it as part of our heritage.
2006-10-10 16:58:39 · answer #3 · answered by tordor111 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The queens is just a figure head and really plays no role in Canadian politics. Even through the Governor general is technically more powerful than the Prime minister.
As for abolishment. Why? Being part of the Commonwealth gives us an automatic alliance with all other members of the Commonwealth. We get one England related stat holiday. Go Victoria DAY. And in all fairness, would you want Brian Mulroney on a coin?
Being a part of the Commonwealth has little to no impact on the politics or policy of Canada.
2006-10-12 07:14:46 · answer #4 · answered by smedrik 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Practically, there are not really any disadvantages.
The monarchy plays such an infinitessimally small part in the operation of our government that in a poll, 95% of our citizens weren't even aware that we are living in a monarchy!
Should it be abolished? Nah, not right now anyway. It's nice to have friends. Being in the British Commonwealth, we definitely have friends.
2006-10-10 12:50:46 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
There hasn't been a monarchy in Canada since the Constitution Act, 1982 was passed.
2006-10-10 13:13:17 · answer #6 · answered by fergy_1967 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Being in the Commonwealth is completely different from having a foreigner (who rarely visits) as our official head of state. Don't you realize how embarrassing this is? We simply, with the stroke of a pen, remove the Sovereign as head of state. The Gov Gen, renamed President become official head of state but with more non-partisan roles, such as becoming official strong head of a revamped Senate. We stay in the Commonwealth (like India which is a republic). Nothing else needs to change. Lastly the oath some government folks take will be rewritten...such as the armed forces oath : : " I swear that I will bear true allegiance to Canada and its Armed Forces. I will defend my country and I will do my lawful duty to the best of my ability, so help me God."
2015-10-29 03:44:08 · answer #7 · answered by Logicalguy 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
huh? there is no monarchy in canada. canada is part of the british commonwealth
2006-10-10 13:50:22 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
She is pretty much just a "Figurehead" She is on our money.
2006-10-10 12:52:14 · answer #9 · answered by Fleur de Lis 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋