
is at the forefront of the
promotion, education, and non-
partisan defence of the Canadian
Crown. It was founded in February
of 1970 by supporters of the
monarchy who were concerned about "creeping
republicanism" by successive governments at the federal &
provincial level.
The first League meeting in Ottawa attracted over 600 people
to discuss ways to counter Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau's
moves to weaken the monarchy. Since then the League has gone from strength to strength in its defence of the Canadian Crown. The Monarchist League of Canada maintains its own
chronology of activities but here are some highlights:
1971 Campaigned successfully for Royal Arms of Canada to
remain on Canadian passports. Campaigned successfully to
retain the Crown on Ontario licence plates.
1973 Pressure from the League resulted in Canada Post
issuing two large stamps of the Queen for a Commonwealth
Conference held in Ottawa.
1975 After campaigning, received assurance from Ontario
Premier Bill Davis of his government’s opposition to an
Ontario Advisory Committee report suggesting Queen be
dropped from Canadian Citizenship Oath. Branches
encouraged as six lieutenant governors become League
patrons.
1976 Lobbied and ran advertising to make sure that the
Queen opened 21st Olympics in Montréal as Canada’s head of state.
1977 Newfoundland Branch obtained signatures of over
three-quarters of the province’s population on a Declaration
of Loyalty for the Silver Jubilee.
1978 Testified before Joint Committee of Commons and
Senate against the republican provisions of Bill C-60 (a new
Constitution for Canada), waged a large public opinion
campaign helping to secure unanimous provincial opposition
to the bill and its eventual withdrawal.
1982 Sponsored a national speaking tour by British MP and
Monarchist Sir John Biggs-Davison.
1984 Assisted the CBC in production of video history of
Canada’s monarchy, The Maple & The Crown. Co-hosted
study conference on monarchy held at the University of
Toronto. Toronto Branch participates in Royal Tattoo in
presence of The Queen.
1985 Submitted to the new Mulroney government a brief,
Canada’s Monarchy, Authentic Evolution, containing
department-by-department recommendations for full
expression of the nation’s monarchical identity.
1987 Defeated attempt by Secretary of State David Crombie
to remove Queen from Canadian Citizenship Oath.
1988 Began research and lobbying activities to encourage
MPs to request, and Government to erect, the Equestrian
Statue of The Queen on Parliament Hill (unveiled in 1992).
1989 Assisted Alberta Provincial Museum in mounting
exhibit on the 1939 Royal Tour.
1990 Issued first bilingual pamphlet about the value of the
monarchy and the work of the League.
1991 Blocked announcement of government’s new Gallantry
Decorations which would have eliminated the Victoria Cross
as a Canadian decoration. Subsequently waged successful campaign resulting in Queen’s creation of a Canadian Victoria Cross in 1993.
1993 Contacted every member of new House of Commons to solicit responses of loyalty to Crown and offer material on the
monarchy for MPs’ offices and constituents.
1996 Becomes first loyal society site on the internet at
www.monarchist.ca; free trial memberships attract many
new supporters.
1997 Established nationwide Red Box program to furnish
monarchical materials and teaching aids at no charge to
school and youth groups. Supplied first annual summer
student intern to Lieutenant Governor of Ontario. Assisted in
presentation of the Five Hundred Years of Royal Canada
mural to The Queen at Rideau Hall.
1998 Campaigned successfully for Oath of Citizenship to
remain Oath to Queen. Testifies before Senate Legal and
Constitutional Affairs Committee on proposed Royal Assent
changes.
1999 Released first comprehensive Survey on Cost of the
Canadian Crown (74 cents per citizen yearly). Exposed
Premiers’ near-unanimous opposition to leaked prime
ministerial millennium project to make Canada a republic.
2000 Received Armorial Bearings containing two Royal
Crowns by the Queen’s permission, presented by the
Lieutenant Governor of Ontario acting on behalf of The
Governor General and proclaimed at Accession Day service.
Testified before the House of Commons Committee and
Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee on
Citizenship Oath.
2001 Joined commentators and his Cabinet colleagues in
rebuking Foreign Affairs Minister Manley’s call for a republic.
Testified before Senate Rules, Procedures and Rights of
Parliament Committee on Royal Assent procedures. Ottawa
branch successfully campaigned to prevent designer logo from replacing Armorials in amalgamated city.
2002 Revised and updates survey on Cost of Canadian
Crown: $1.10 per Canadian yearly. Bilingualized main League
website. Teen and Young Adult Monarchist interest groups
formed in response to surging youth membership.
2003 Campaigned against Bill C-25 to remove allegiance to
Queen from Public Service Oath.
2004 Defended Governor General in media over spending
and travel controversy. Ontario members participated in
Lieutenant Governor’s book drive for First Nations
communities. Exposed federal government's confusion as to
the roles of The Queen and the Governor General, as
demonstrated at Canadian 60th anniversary of D-Day
commemoration in Normandy.
2005 Mounted national campaign in opposition to deletion
of Queen’s name from Canadian diplomatic Letters of
Credence and to demonstrate dangers of creeping
republicanism vested in a Governor General nominated,
advised and budgeted by the Prime Minister. Released third
comprehensive study of the Cost of the Canadian Crown: $1.54 per Canadian annually.
2006 Produced The Canadian Monarchy, full-colour
educational booklet about the Maple Crown, and began distribution to parliamentarians, schools and youth groups.
Revised website to incorporate contemporary education
section.
2007 After decades of lobbying, Canada Post issued the first
permanent (non-denominated) definitive stamp of The Queen for first class letters.
2008 Lead successful public and media campaign to reverse
BC Ferries’ decision to remove pictures of Queen from its
vessels. Protested downgrading of Royal portrait at Rideau
Hall.
2009 Becomes first organization to Tweet a Royal Visit.
Issues fourth triennial study, The Cost of the Canadian
Crown: $1.53 per Canadian yearly.
2010 Celebrated 40th anniversary of founding with complete revamping of website. Campaigned for restoration of “Royal
Canadian Navy” title.
The League has had a proud history. Whether in victory or
defeat it will continue to loyally support our Canadian
sovereign and fight against those who would undermine it.
Congratulations on 45 years!
Loyally Yours,
A Kisaragi Colour