SoVote

Decentralized Democracy

House Hansard - 117

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
October 25, 2022 10:00AM
Context: House Hansard - 117 - Oct/25/22
Mr. John Nater
  • Oct/25/22 5:19:03 p.m.
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Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the member for Saint‑Hyacinthe—Bagot for his question. I believe that I spoke about the monarchy in Canada in my speech. I spoke about the two parts of cabinet and the monarchy in Canada. That is important. Yes, I am proud to be a Conservative who sees the importance of our traditions, like the monarchy, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, and now King Charles III. Of course, it is important that we recognize the challenges of the monarchy. In the House, we heard stories and negative things about the monarchy and past kings. That is important, especially for indigenous people and for reconciliation with first nations.
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Context: House Hansard - 117 - Oct/25/22
Mr. Pat Kelly (Calgary Rocky Ridge, CPC)
  • Oct/25/22 5:23:20 p.m.
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Madam Speaker, it is a shame that it seems my colleague is required to deliver such an eloquent education on some of the basics of the Constitution of Canada, including the Canadian monarchy. I am glad that he did so and had a chance to wax Walter Bagehot. I felt he did not quite get to the end of where he wanted to go with that part of his speech, so I will give him a few moments to expand on any point that might have been lacking for lack of time.
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Context: House Hansard - 117 - Oct/25/22
Ms. Elizabeth May (Saanich—Gulf Islands, GP)
  • Oct/25/22 5:24:53 p.m.
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Madam Speaker, it really is a pleasure to put a question to the hon. member for Perth—Wellington, who is, as ever, knowledgeable and thoughtful in putting forward his views. I am very grateful to him for stressing that when we take our oath as members of Parliament to His Majesty, we are taking an oath to Canada, not to any one person. In the past, I took my oath to Her Majesty the Queen. I was not making an oath to one individual but to Canada, and that oath is important. I also think it was very helpful to canvass what it would mean if we changed our system of government, which is what this motion proposes. Briefly, I will say that I grew up in the United States and watched what I think is human nature to elevate even elected people to royal status and to venerate not just the elected president but his wife as the first lady and even the whole family and the royal dogs. I note that it has always been to this point the pronoun “his”. Would the hon. member agree that human nature is better served by having a monarchy that is ceremonial rather than venerating average human beings who are elected?
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Context: House Hansard - 117 - Oct/25/22
Mr. John Nater
  • Oct/25/22 5:26:07 p.m.
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Madam Speaker, there is the ceremonial element of the monarchy that allows it to be separate and apart from the political day-to-day hustling we see in this place and across the country. I think it is important that we have a distinction between the head of state and the head of government. It allows political actors to do their jobs while remaining a dignified part of the monarchy, represented here in Canada by the Governor General.
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