Despite strong historical ties to Britain and fondness for the queen, an increasing percentage of Canadians do not want a foreign monarch to represent them; nonetheless, the dangers associated with constitutional reform mean that there is little political momentum for change.
Beginning in the late 1500s, Britain began to occupy Canada, and the nation technically belonged to the British empire until 1982.
It now belongs to the Commonwealth, a group of former imperial states where the British monarch serves as head of state. Numerous Canadian city names, including Windsor and London, are a reflection of the strong ties.
However, a study from the Angus Reid Institute in April found that 51% of Canadians, up from 45% in January 2020, do not want the monarchy to remain as the country’s ceremonial leader. Only 26% of those surveyed agreed that it should, while 24% were undecided.
In addition, a Leger poll released on Tuesday found that 77% of Canadians have no loyalty to the British monarchy. According to Flavio Volpe, president of the Canadian Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association, Canada is the only G7 nation whose head of state is a citizen of another nation.
Although there was a tremendous outpouring of love in Canada after Queen Elizabeth passed away last week, most people find dealing with a foreign monarch uncomfortable.
The British King Charles’ coronation was announced at a ceremony on Saturday in Ottawa. “The monarchy is archaic and irrelevant to our system of administration.
John Nielsen, a 61-year-old contractor in Ottawa, said, “I think it’s time we just stand on our own.”
Quebecers, a majority-French-speaking province, have even less affinity for Britain; 71% of them said monarchy is no longer necessary in an Angus Reid poll, and 87% said they have no feelings of loyalty to the royal family in a Leger poll.
