History of issue Republicanism in Canada

reformists began emerge in canadian colonies during 19th century , 2 decades century had begun cohere organized groups, such upper canada central political union. idea of political party viewed number of british north americans innovation of united states, being anti-british , of republican tendency. colonists warned few individuals, unfortunately, led those, hostility british constitution such, sacrifice , every thing pull down, in order might build republic on ruins. believed persons agitating republican change , supporters of american origin , had been taught admire republican government best in world , ridicule monarchism.

william lyon mackenzie, founder of republic of canada, , later advocate of canadian annexation united states

the first open uprisings in canada against monarchical system came in 1837, lower canada rebellion—led louis joseph papineau , parti patriote—and upper canada rebellion—led william lyon mackenzie. though main motives more representative government in respective colonies, mackenzie inspired american model , wished establish same in canada. papineau expressed loyalty crown in ninety-two resolutions, turned when british parliament instead adopted earl russell s ten resolutions, ignored 92 of requests parti patriote. colonists, however, did not espouse break crown , rebellions failed. mackenzie fled toronto 200 supporters , established, of american sympathizers, short-lived , never recognized republic of canada on navy island, while papineau , other insurgents fled united states , proclaimed republic of lower canada.

after living in in order avoid arrest in canada, mackenzie became dissatisfied american republican system , gave plans revolution in british north american provinces, though theorized, near end of life, on canadian annexation united states, should enough people in former country become disillusioned responsible government. similarly, 1849, papineau advocating absorption of province of canada (formed in 1840) american republic south. echoed significant minority of conservatives in upper canada critiqued canada s imitation of british parliamentary constitutional monarchy both democratic , tyrannical, theorizing simultaneously destroyed independence of appointed governor , legislative council , further concentrated power in cabinet. instead, these republican conservatives preferred american federal-state system , constitution, seeing american model of checks , balances offering canada more fair , conservative form of democracy. debated constitutional changes included elected governor, elected legislative council, , possible union us, within republican framework.

louis riel, president of provisional government of red river

some decades later, in 1869, rebellion in red river area of rupert s land erupted under leadership of louis riel, established in red river settlement provisional government under john bruce president, intent of negotiating provincial relationship federal government of canada. negotiations proceeded, riel elected president provisional government s council. delegation ottawa successful in having federal crown-in-council in 1870 found province of manitoba same parliamentary constitutional monarchy existed in other provinces.

post-quebec sovereignty movement

the parti québécois rose power in quebec on support of nationalists, views towards monarchy ranged hostility indifference. in february 1968, during constitutional conference in ottawa, delegates union nationale-governed quebec indicated provincial president might suit province better appointed viceroy. 2 years later, parti québécois (pq) members of national assembly refused recite constitutionally mandated oath of allegiance sovereign before taking seats in legislature. sovereignists protested queen s role in officially opening 1976 montreal olympics, rené lévesque asking elizabeth refuse advice prime minister pierre trudeau , not open games. republican options discussed following election of sovereigntist parti québécois government in quebec, in relation province.

continuing talks of constitutional reform led role of monarchy in canada coming under scrutiny in lead patriation of canadian constitution in 1982. however, proposals change thwarted provinces, including quebec.

the notion of republic raised publicly in 1990s, when peter c. newman wrote in maclean s monarchy should abolished in favour of head of state reflect our own, instead of imported, values. then, in 1997, deputy prime minister john manley echoed newman when expressed @ end of television interview opinion canada should abolish monarchy, citing australia s contemporary discussions around australian crown. then, in december of following year, prime minister s press secretary, peter donolo, complained monarch made canada appear colonial outpost , unaccountably announced through media story prime minister s office considering abolition of monarchy millennium project, though no definitive plans had been made. donolo later supported manley when, on victoria day 2001, manley said on cbc radio believed hereditary succession outdated, , country s head of state should elected. then, prior queen s pan-country tour celebrate golden jubilee following year, manley (at point designated minister in attendance sovereign s arrival in ottawa) again stated preference wholly canadian institution replace present monarchy after reign of queen elizabeth ii; rebuked other cabinet members, former prime minister, , leader of opposition, number of prominent journalists.

in 2002, group citizens canadian republic established promote abolition of canadian monarchy in favour of republic, @ approximately same time globe , mail newspaper began campaign against monarchy, 3 republican journalists on staff – margaret wente, jeffrey simpson, , lawrence martin – though editorial board argued canada dispose of monarchy without becoming republic. tom freda, chairman , co-founder of citizens canadian republic, called replacing monarchy governor general, saying s not in favour of destroying canada s identity or cultural institutions: re advocating link monarchy, in our constitution, severed. our governor general past 60 years has performed duties of head of state, , there s no reason shouldn t make our governor general our official head of state.

at approximately same time, editors of globe , mail began calling governor general made head of state under guise of patriating monarchy , , arguing canada rid of crown without becoming republic, , backing journalist jeffrey simpson s preference companions of order of canada choose head of state in canadian republic.

lawrence martin called canada become republic in order re-brand nation , better standings in international market, cited sweden – constitutional monarchy – example followed.

then, weeks later, quebec sovereignty again collided monarchy, when quebec separatists threatened mount demonstrations should queen in attendance @ ceremonies 400th anniversary of founding of quebec city; mario beaulieu, vice-president of société saint-jean baptiste announced queen s presence catalyst action, saying: can sure people demonstrate in protest... celebrating foundation of new france, not conquest. monarchy remains symbol of imperialism , colonialism. presence not welcomed , , gérald larose, president of quebec sovereignty council, stated monarchy despicable, appalling, anti-democratic, imperial, colonial symbol against social , individuals rights obtained through course of history.

the liberal party of canada debated whether sever ties monarchy when met in ottawa in january 2012. decided not so.

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