| Oh... Canada. |
| |
Phillip Hong
|
| |
|
An old girlfriend and I, in one of our numerous stormy, tumultuous rifts, had a major debate over
the "kindness" of Canadians. "My classmates who reside in Toronto as foreign students always feel
left out of the social fabric", she claims from her residence in Mainland China, "you Canadians
don't welcome us enough".
|
| |
|
She was mistaken to believe that somehow, we'd hold spontaneous welcoming parties every time a
foreign citizen arrives at Pearson. Is that what our image is perceived to be? Well, one Toronto
lawyer believes the monarchy (an integral part of the country's identity) is racist.
|
| |
|
He's a model citizen, immigrating from the kind Caribbean country of Trinidad and Tobago. The man
would be a Canadian citizen if he swore an oath to the Queen (like everyone obtaining citizenship
does over 14), but says she represents inequality and racism. A court allowed him, along with a
group of others, to argue that swearing the oath would be "against their charter rights". He adds
"anyone should be able to serve as head of state".
|
| |
|
Swearing to the monarch has been a constant part of this country's history, and so is opposing the
oath. Folks in Acadia were shunned and deported for not doing this exact deed a few centuries ago.
But in the ever changing image of Canada, the constitutional monarchy is a quality that keeps us
together in our otherwise diverse individual identities.
|
| |
|
We were monarchists right from Confederation; the only reason why we weren't named the "Kingdom of
Canada" was because of fears of provoking our American neighbours. The monarchy might not be open
to everyone (unless you marry into it), but it serves as a rock; a figurehead who is above the
circumstances of politics and the ills of taking one side over another.
|
| |
|
The lawyer is right to provoke the situation, but he is essentially providing views over two issues:
The reputation of the monarchy, and the republican debate.
|
| |
|
The Charter of Rights and Freedoms functions under the authority of the monarch of Canada. There's
a reason why the Queen came to sign over the constitution back in 1982; our head of state makes the
charter possible in the first place. An oath to the moral head of this country is a verbal
acknowledgment of the Canadian system of self-governance, not as an homage to past failures and
blunders.
|
| |
|
By suggesting that we all can't have a chance to be the head of state, it begs the question - in
what way? In current circumstances, this could only be achieved by becoming a republic. But how can
we ensure anyone could have the chance to govern in any position in government, especially with
political parties and lobby groups? And how will this right the issue of past wrongs and racism?
|
| |
|
Like other countries, modern or not, developed or undeveloped, we have wronged on a number of
issues. But a verbal commitment to the ultimate institution that unites us as a confederation is an
integral part of our identity, however tarnished it has been.
|
| |
|
Phillip Hong, a resident within suburban Toronto, is an avid tourist. Check
out the interesting experiences of his journeys on The Travelling
Briefcase. |
|
