2020 Conservative Party Leadership Race: Views on the Monarchy

Andrew Scheer

This article is a collection of every 
candidate response received thus far to 
my questions regarding the monarchy. 
It will continue to be updated as more 
replies roll in. 

I have again included a scoreboard for 
the candidates as well as a section for 
notable quotes. 

This leadership race is to replace out- 
going tory leader Andrew Scheer. 

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Questions & Replies

​The questions posed to each candidate:

1. What are your views on the monarchy? 
2. As prime minister would you make use of the Advisory Committee on Vice-Regal
Appointments that was active between 2010 and 2015? 
3. During the previous parliament the government cancelled a program that
mailed physical copies of the Queen's portrait to any Canadian who asked free of
charge. Would you restore this program?
4. The government also removed the Queen's portrait from the lobby of the Foreign
Affairs Office and replaced it with paintings by Alfred Pallen. Would you find a
way to have both paintings and portrait share the ample wall space of the Foreign
Affairs Office lobby?

Below are links to each candidate's reply and a short look at
any previous comments they may have made in regards to the
monarchy. Candidates who failed to qualify or withdrew are
included for historical reference.

Qualified to appear on the ballot
Leslyn Lewis
Peter MacKay
Erin O'Toole
Derek Sloan

No longer in the race
Marilyn Gladu
Aron Seal

Crown & Cap Scoreboard

Here I have ranked the candidates support for, or opposition
to, the monarchy. Keep in mind this is only my assessment
and your mileage may vary. Also, note that changes may occur
as the campaign goes on.

The crown score is out of five crowns with each candidate
receiving one crown for stating support for the monarchy
in their reply, one crown for having defended the monarchy
in Parliament, two crowns for outlining how they would
improve the monarchy's role in the future, and one crown for
having spoken in support of the monarchy outside of 
Parliament. 

The cap score is likewise out of five caps with one cap given to
a candidate for being opposed to the monarchy in their reply,
one cap for desiring a referendum on the monarchy, one cap
for opposing the monarchy in Parliament and two caps for
making the establishment of a Canadian republic a part of
their policy platform. 

Marilyn Gladu

Ms. Gladu scored well with only a lack
of dialogue about the monarchy
outside of parliament holding her
back.

Score:

Erin O'Toole

Mr. O'Toole improved his score from
2.5 to 5 crowns from the last
leadership race.

Score:

Aron Seal

Aron Seal is the first tory candidate
surveyed to hold strong republican
views. I believe the only thing that
kept his cap score as low as it is was
his lack of public office.

Score:

Leslyn Lewis

Dr. Lewis' score suffered from not
having much to say about the
monarchy outside of her email reply
and no plans that deal directly with
it.

Score:

Peter MacKay

Score suffered most from never
having defended monarchy outside of
Parliament. However, he was the
minister who in the past restored the
royal moniker to the navy.

Score:

Derek Sloan

A dearth of comments regarding the
monarchy inside or outside of
Parliament lowered Mr. Sloan's
overall score.

Score:

​Loyal Quotes

"The heavy burden of public service and constitutional duty
devolved on the Queen when she was only 25 years old and
the mother of two was an awesome and daunting task. For
half a century she has, with grace and complete and total
integrity, discharged her constitutional obligations to the
people of this country and throughout the Commonwealth."
~Peter MacKay, 2002

"My own personal view is that we should embrace this
particular link...to our very origins, and embrace the fact
that the Queen has continued, in a very diligent and
forthright way, to continue this lineage, this connection to
our country. It is something that I as a Canadian feel very
proud to continue.... I am proud to say... that the constituents
in my riding have expressed to me, and members of the
Monarchist League of Canada have expressed quite clearly,
that they are satisfied to continue the traditions of
recognizing the Queen as the official head of Canada. They
wish to continue the symbolism and history that comes with
it, and the Governor General as Her official representative in
Canada. It is something that is inextricably linked to our
country's past and something that we should proudly
embrace."
~Peter MacKay, 2002

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​I would like to thank all of the candidates for getting back to
me. While I might disagree at times with the replies I receive
it is at least good to know that politicians still take the time
to reply to ordinary Canadians.

Loyally Yours,
A Kisaragi Colour