Category: Barry MacKenzie

Celebrating Our Queen

9/8/2015

Cross-posted from monarchistnb

Tomorrow, September 9th, our Queen will become the
longest-reigning Sovereign in modern Canadian history, and
the longest in all of British history. For nearly 64 years,
Elizabeth II has reigned over a diverse and sometimes
troubled Commonwealth of Nations, and somehow she has
only become more beloved over time.

For her part, Her Majesty seems not likely to mark this
historic milestone in an official way. That said, celebrations
are taking place across the Commonwealth. In Canada, we
have a particularly unique set of celebrations scheduled in
municipalities from coast to coast. Thanks to the tireless
efforts of our Dominion and Branch officers, and with the
cooperation of municipal representatives and employees, well
over 125 towns, cities and villages will be hosting a simple
commemoration tomorrow in their communities. The
municipalities range in size from Flowers Cove, NL, to
Mississauga, ON.

In New Brunswick, at least nine municipalities will be hosting
celebrations, and at Government House in Fredericton several
events, including a stunning exhibit on the province’s
connection with the Crown, will highlight the significance of
the day.

Elizabeth II has given her entire adult life in service to her
people. In her 90th year, she seems well poised to continue, as
long as her excellent health should continue. May she
continue to reign, gloriously, over each and every one of us.

God Save the Queen!

Loyally Yours,
Barry R. MacKenzie

Graydon and Beth Nicholas Essay Prize Launched

3/22/2015

Cross-posted from monarchistnb

Press Release

The provincial Branch of the Monarchist League of Canada recently launched an exciting new essay prize for high school students in Anglophone West School District.

The prize is named in honour of Hon. Graydon Nicholas and his wife, Beth, who for five years, from 2009 to 2014, served the Sovereign and the people of this province with great distinction. As Lieutenant Governor and Chatelaine of Government House, His Honour and Mrs. Nicholas brought great dignity to the Office and were enthusiastic promoters of the Crown in New Brunswick.

“In honour of their unfailing support of the Crown and of our organization, of which His Honour was Patron, the NB Branch designed this award as an ongoing tribute to His Honour and Mrs. Nicholas,” said Barry MacKenzie, Co-Chairman of the Branch. “Because of their commitment to education, we were doubly confident that a prize encouraging high school students in their learning process was a most fitting farewell gift for our esteemed friends.”

The contest runs until May 1st and is open to all students in grades 9-12 in Anglophone West School District. In 2016, the League plans to open the contest up to students across the Province. Entries must be in the form of a formal research essay (at least three pages, and not to exceed five pages, in length) on any topic of the student’s choice which relates to the Monarchy in Canada. Suggested topics and resources can be offered to students and their teachers by the Branch. The winner will be announced and the prize presented around the Victoria Day holiday weekend, when Canada celebrates the Queen’s Birthday.

All entries must be submitted by May 1st, 2015, by email to communications@monarchistnb.ca, or by regular mail to the P.O. Box 133 Station A, Fredericton, NB, E3B 4Y2

Loyally Yours,
Barry R. MacKenzie

Blog Update: Two New Contributors

1/1/2015

Happy New Year everyone,

The Maple Monarchists are pleased to welcome two new contributors to the site. First we have Kevin Gillespie who also runs his own blog (Until Philosophers are Kings...). A law student with an interest in constitutional law, Kevin brings a new perspective to the blog. A little birdy tells us he has also recently been awarded the Monarchist League's Silver Badge of Service. Congratulations, Kevin!

Our other new contributor is Mr. Windsor of Alberta. He is a member of The Young Monarchists. We look forward to seeing his contributions to this blog.

There is a tradition in some legislatures and parliaments of placing importance on the first speech delivered by a member. This is called their maiden speech. In imitation of that tradition listed below are the 'maiden articles' of each member of the Maple Monarchists.

Mr. Windsor
Princess Alberta

Kevin Gillespie
The Royal Appeal of a Vice-Regal Decision

Barry R. MacKenzie
Cost of Crown Survey Released!

A Kisaragi Colour
Profiles of the Canadian Royal Family: Prince Edward, Duke of Kent and Strathearn

Let us all redouble our efforts to defend our Canadian Monarchy in the New Year.

Loyally Yours,
The Maple Monarchists

The Hanoverian Succession: 300 Years On

8/6/2014

Cross-posted from monarchistnb

A significant royal anniversary recently passed us by, and I did not want to let it go by completely unnoticed or without comment. I don’t find as much time to post on this blog as I might like to do, but this is an important milestone for our Monarchy.

The 1st of August 2014 marked the three hundredth anniversary of the death of Queen Anne of Great Britain, the last of the unfortunate Stewarts to reign over Scotland and England. The reigns of her predecessors, stretching back to her great-grandfather, James VI of Scotland and I of England, were often marred by ill relations with Parliament. Few others are more well-known for their dealings with the House of Commons than Anne’s grandfather, Charles I, whose head was among the many things rent asunder by Cromwell and his cronies. And James II, Anne’s unfortunate father, was driven from his kingdom for his Catholicism. James’ ‘abdication’ paved the way for the accession of his daughter and son-in-law, Mary and William, the champions of “The Protestant Succession”, and later his second daughter, Anne.

Charles II and James II

By the time of Queen Anne’s death, however, relations between Sovereign and Parliament were somewhat improved, but it was at the expense of the Royal Prerogatives and Powers. It would the next several Sovereigns who succeeded Queen Anne who completed the process of evolution towards Constitutional Monarchy in Britain and thus also in Canada.

Queen Anne was succeeded by Georg Ludwig, Elector of Hanover, who was a descendant of James I through his daughter Elizabeth, Queen of Bohemia, and who became King George I. Queen Anne had far less distant relations who could have become the next Sovereign (a wikipedia list gives a list of 55 individuals who had a better claim to the throne than Georg Ludwig at the time of the Queen’s death in 1714) but the Act of Settlement, 1701, barred them from the throne for their Catholicism. This discriminatory part of the British Constitution (and subsequently of the constitutions of the independent nations of the Commonwealth) was repealed prior to the birth of Prince George of Cambridge, along with male primogeniture and the 1774 requirement for all descendants of George II to ask the Queen’s permission to marry.

King George I in his Coronation Robes

The succession of the Hanoverian dynasty changed the course of British and Commonwealth constitutional history. That much is certain. It led to the two Jacobite Rebellions and all the associated unpleasantness between England and Scotland. There’s little point in speculating exactly how differently things would have turned out if King James’ son “The Old Pretender” has ascended the throne in place of the George I. Might the old Stewart belief in the Divine Right of Kings have reared its head and caused the downfall of the Monarchy? Or might the dynasty which established British rule over America have been more successful in avoiding the Revolutionary War? The “what ifs” are endless.

What we do know is the the reigns of the first four Georges, William IV and Queen Victoria ushered in the style of constitutional monarchy which we enjoy today. It was an era during which the Sovereign ceased to rule and instead reigned over his/her subjects. And it undoubtedly the flexibility of the Monarchy in Britain and the Commonwealth which has allowed it to survive in an era where Kings and Queens are far outnumbered by Presidents and Dictators.

Loyally Yours,
Barry R. MacKenzie

Cost of Crown Survey Released!

6/15/2014

Cross-posted from monarchistnb

Every three years, the Monarchist League of Canada commissions a survey on the cost of Canada’s Constitutional Monarchy. The survey provides a wealth of information about exactly where the money goes, and how much bang taxpayers are getting for their buck.

The most recent issue of this triennial survey came out last week, and the results are encouraging. The overall cost, per Canadian, of Canada’s monarchy in 2011-2012 was $1.63! That figure does not include the special one-time expenses incurred for the celebration of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, which, if factored in, bring the per capita total to $1.85.

These figures include everything from Royal Tours and security costs to salaries and vice-regal household expenses. Naturally, this includes no amount of money to cover the Queen’s expenses in the UK. It’s simply an old myth that Canadians cover part of the Queen’s bill anywhere outside of Canada.

Our hardworking Lieutenant Governor, Graydon Nicholas, shines in the section of Lieutenant Governors. He attends and hosts more events that most other provincial vice-regals, and does so for less than any of his colleagues (even his PEI counterpart!). His total all-inclusive expenses for 2011-2012 were $507,687.80 This includes a Provincial contribution of $318,500. The rest of the costs (including His Honour’s salary) were covered by the Federal Treasury.

New Brunswickers reading this know that His Honour seems to turn up at everything, and his house is often a flurry of activity. His total engagements for 2011-2012 numbered 550. That’s more than twice the number accounted for by his colleague’s in Quebec, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan!

In 2012, monarchists received a fair amount of flack about the costs associated with the Royal Tour by TRH The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall. The overall costs for that Tour came out to $649,538, or just 2 cents per Canadian! The 2011 Tour by The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge cost Canadians just 4 cents each, and the 2010 Tour by The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh, 6 cents each.

Overall, the cost of Canada’s constitutional monarchy compares favourably with expenses incurred by the House of Commons ($12.25 per Cdn), the Senate ($2.57), and the CBC ($32.52). It costs just a few cents more per Canadian than the Library of Parliament and the National Gallery. Our neighbours to the south paid an estimated $5.24 each for the running of the White House and the Office of the President in 2008! And they have 10 times our population.

All members will be receiving a copy of this survey in the mail very soon. Others are welcome to check out a digital copy on the Monarchist League's website.

Loyally Yours,
Barry R. MacKenzie

Blog Update: New Name & Contributor

6/15/2014

Greetings everyone,

Exciting news; Barry R. MacKenzie of monarchistnb is allowing his articles to be cross-posted to this blog. This will allow blog founder, A Kisaragi Colour, a chance to be lazy with posting.

...

What? It won't? Well, ok.

The blog's name has been slightly changed to reflect this as well. This does mean the old web links won't work now so here is a handy list of links (oldest to newest):

The Purpose of this Blog

Profiles of the Canadian Royal Family: Prince Edward, Duke of Kent and Strathearn

Monarchist Profile: Sir David Kirke

Women & Succession to the Throne

Canada's Royal Chapels & The Mohawks

This Week in Monarchy: June 1-7th

Monarchist Profile: Michael Valpy

This Week in Monarchy: June 8-14th

A reminder that the blog is always looking for writers. Have an interest in the monarchy? Like writing? Don't want to go through the trouble of starting your own blog? Here is the perfect opportunity.

Loyally Yours,
The Maple Monarchists

Celebrating Our Queen

Graydon and Beth Nicholas Essay Prize Launched

Press Release

Blog Update: Two New Contributors

The Hanoverian Succession: 300 Years On

Cost of Crown Survey Released!

Blog Update: New Name & Contributor

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