Canada's Monarchy and the Succession: A Time for Reflection or AgonyLater?

The recent news of Queen Elizabeth's impending transition of the crown has sparked discussions about Canada's relationship with the monarchy. The question at hand is whether Canada should now be discussing its relationship with the monarchy or wait until Charles becomes king. To answer this, we need to explore the importance of the monarchy in Canada and the reasons for maintaining it.

Why Should We Discuss It at All?

Many argue that the relationship with the monarchy is a settled matter. As Canada's head of state, the monarch holds a symbolic position. Moreover, Charles' experience with the monarchy was influenced significantly by his mother, Queen Elizabeth. This fact alone suggests that the monarchy is unlikely to undergo significant changes in the near future.

Historical Context and the Perth Agreement

Canada and the other 15 Commonwealth Realms discussed the future of the monarchy at the Commonwealth Heads of Government conference in Perth, Australia, in 2011. The outcome of this discussion was the Perth Agreement, which has been enacted into law by the 16 parliaments. The agreement consisted of three main points:

The replacement of male primogeniture with absolute primogeniture, meaning Princess Charlotte is next in line, ahead of her younger brother, Prince Louis. The removal of the prohibition against a monarch being married to a Catholic. The limitation of the number of individuals who must seek permission from the monarch before getting married to the six closest to the throne.

With these changes in place, there is little need for further discussion about the future of the monarchy in Canada.

Internal Priorities and the Stability of the Current System

Canada has more pressing internal issues to address. There is no significant support for changing the entire constitutional and governmental system to replace the monarchy. Furthermore, changing the system would come with high costs and logistical challenges, especially considering the need for consensus among all provinces. Replacing the monarchy would require Either the establishment of another governmental structure or retaining the current system, neither of which is cost-effective.

Opinions on Post-Eujuan Era

While it's never too early to start gathering public opinion, immediate discussions about the monarchy after the transition are premature. It's unlikely that a significant proportion of the Canadian public will agree on a replacement that works for everyone.

Theoretical Considerations

Even if the monarch's position becomes less symbolic as Charles steps in, the need for constitutional changes is questionable. The argument that replacing the monarchy would cost more than the monarchy itself is a common point of contention. Additionally, the proposal that every province would bring their grievances to the table underlines the complexity of any constitutional change.

However, it's never a bad idea to inquire about public opinion on what might follow the monarchy. While current sentiment might not favor significant changes, it's always good to listen to the people's desires and concerns. Nonetheless, it is clear that the constitutional monarchy serves Canada well, and changing it without a solid reason and plan would be premature and potentially disruptive.

Keywords: Canada monarchy, Succession, Constitutional Monarchy