The Maple Monarchists
  • Blog
  • The Monarchy In Canada
    • The Canadian Royal Family
    • Vice-Regal Representatives
    • Arguments For Monarchy
    • The Crown & You
  • Special Projects
    • Discussion Topics >
      • Pan-Monarchism
      • Terms of Support
      • A Canadian Knighthood
      • Anarcho-Monarchism
      • Natural Government
    • Leadership Surveys
    • Letters >
      • Regarding Context Article
  • Useful Links
  • Contact & Questions
    • About the Authors

Jagmeet Singh's Reply to the Monarchist League of Canada

12/7/2018

 
PicturePhoto Credit: Yvonne Bambrick
Recently, while doing an interview on the topic of the spending of the
former Governor General Adrienne
Clarkson, Mr. Singh stated that he
did not see the relevancy of the
monarchy and that he was a
republican. Various members of the
Monarchist League of Canada
sought clarification (and probably to
try and convince him to change his
mind). Below is the response that
they received and which the League
shared with its ​members at noon
today:

  Thank you for taking the time to write. We appreciate your views on
the monarchy.
 
  During a recent CTV interview, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh addressed
the concern over the excessive expenses of a former Governor General.
  When the discussion led to the role of the monarchy in Canada,
Jagmeet Singh spoke about its relevancy in the 21st century, adding,
that while it may not be a pressing issue for most Canadians, he’s open
to hearing the views of others. But, he clearly said that getting involved
with this issue is not a priority for him or our Party.

  Specifically, he said, “We’ve got a democracy and we’re proud of our
democracy, and I think that’s what most Canadians think is important
and I think we should focus on that.”

  Jagmeet and his NDP team are staying focused on what’s important to
the lives of everyday Canadians—like paying for groceries and heating
costs, their health issues and those of a family member, and having
enough money to retire. Jagmeet is hearing those concerns as he meets
with Canadians in communities across Canada, listening to what they
need to make life better for their families.

  And, he’s inviting all progressives to come together, to help make a
real difference—for more people today, and for future generations.

  Thanks again for writing. In the weeks and months ahead, we hope we
can find common ground on other concerns facing our country.

All the best,
Office of Jagmeet Singh
Leader, Canada’s New Democrats
I am going to focus in on a couple small sections of this quote.
"We’ve got a democracy and we’re proud of our democracy,
and I think that’s what most Canadians think is important
and I think we should focus on that.
" Yes, we should. And a
study from 2008 might interest him. It came to several
interesting conclusions including that "direct election is
associated with increased voter fatigue and decreased
turnout in parliamentary elections by about seven
percentage points
" and "because holding the presidency
provides parties with an electoral asset, direct and indirect
presidential elections can be equally contentious and
polarizing
". Neither of which are improvements to Canadian
democracy.

​Another study earlier this year found that,"We find strong
evidence that monarchies contribute to a greater protection
of property rights and higher standards of living through
each of the three theoretical mechanisms compared to all
republics. We also find that democratic-constitutional
monarchies perform better than non-democratic and
absolute monarchies when it comes to offsetting the negative
effects of the tenure and discretion of the executive branch.
"
So, yes, democracy makes a country function better but
monarchy makes a democracy function better.

The second section of Mr. Singh's reply I wanted to highlight
was his invitation to "
all progressives to come together, to
help make a real difference—for more people today, and for
future generations.
" All well and good. His stance on the
monarchy is a hindrance to that goal. Because many potential
NDP voters see Canada's monarchy has being helpful to that
laudable goal.

For instance during the NDP Leadership Race Jonathan
Banks noted 
"I am not myself a member of the New
Democratic Party, but often find myself more sympathetic to
many of its policies than I am to those of the Liberals when
concerning the rights and concerns of the working classes,
and the little guy, generally. However, one reason I always
find myself cringing away from being able to actually
support the NDP is certain members’ stances on the
monarchy... I know that I and many people like me would
feel infinitely more comfortable with the NDP if it took a firm
public stance in favour of the Monarchy.
"

Darren Brierley likewise wrote to me stating "After reviewing
Jagmeet Singh's comments against the Monarchy I became
deeply concerned. As a Federal NDP supporter since Jack
Layton, I do not have confidence in a leader who does not
understand that the Canadian Crown is completely
independent and unique from the British Crown and of it's
powerful force for national unity and Canadian identity. I
certainly don't support someone who doesn't respect or even
understand the Canadian Crown.
" 

​There is a slight irony that while repeated political quizzes
over many years consistently place me in the same ideological
camp as the NDP, I have never come close to voting for them.
I find his views on the monarchy highly regrettable but that's
just my view. You know...since he's open to hearing the views
of others and all that.
Picture
I wanted to take a second to talk about Patreon. I
write this 
blog for the sheer joy of it and will
continue to do so even if it 
doesn't make me a
cent. However, the Monarchist League of
Canada
 does have a (rather neglected)
Patreon
. They do a lot of the heavy lifting when it comes to
the defence of 
Canada's monarchy as this timeline and
various other 
examples can attest. If you are a regular
reader I would like 
to encourage you to donate to the League.
Every dollar 
donated helps educate Canadians about their
monarchy and dispel republican 
ignorance. And that is a
good thing.

Loyally Yours,
A Kisaragi Colour

New Democratic Party Leadership Race: Views on the Monarchy

8/16/2017

 
As I did with the Tory leadership race I have been
contacting the various leadership 
candidates for the New
Democratic Party of Canada to ascertain 
their views on the
monarchy. I have already posted individual 
articles on some
of the candidates. This post is to function as 
a sort of index
and supplement to the other articles.

​The Emailed Question & Responses

​The question posed to each candidate was simple:
"What are your views on the monarchy?"

Below are links to each candidate's reply and a short look at
any previous comments they have made in regards to the
monarchy. Names are in order of when they entered the race.

Cheri DiNovo (Withdrew From Race)
Peter Julian (Withdrew From Race)
Charlie Angus
Guy Caron
Niki Ashton
Ibrahim Bruno El-Khoury (Withdrew From Race)
Brian Graff (Candidacy Rejected)
Pat Stogran (Withdrew From Race)
Jagmeet Singh
David Berlin (Withdrew From Race)

Crown & Cap Scoreboard

Here I have ranked the candidates support for 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.

I have had to make a change since last time as some
candidates have views leaning towards republicanism. The
crown score is now joined by a phrygian cap score.

The crown score is out of five crowns and five caps 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.

​One cap is 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. 
Picture
Peter Julian
Mr. Julian has stated he has no strong
views on the monarchy but feels a
referendum on the issue might be
appropriate.
Score:
Picture
Picture
Charlie Angus
Mr. Angus is firmly opposed to the
monarchy but like many republicans
does not see replacing it as a priority.
Score:
Picture
Picture
Pat Stogran
Mr. Stogran's score suffered due to
a bit of vagueness. He seems to know
the monarchy is important but doesn't
​say it is important to him.
Score:
Picture
Picture
Brian Graff (No Photo)
Mr. Graff's reply was highly detailed
and greatly opposed to the monarchy.
This is unfortunate as he made clear
​he once supported it.
Score:
Picture
Picture
Ibrahim Bruno El-Khoury
Mr. El-Khoury's reply noted the
historical importance of the monarchy
while dwelling on Canada's ability to
change if it chooses to. In the end the
reply advocates nothing resulting in
​a low score on both sides.
Score:
Picture
Picture
Jagmeet Singh
In light of Mr. Singh's unfortunate
remarks during the Montreal debate
his score has ​been adjusted.
Score:
Picture

NDP Supporters and Monarchists Quotes

I have run across a few interesting quotes from people who
would like to support the NDP or a specific candidate but are
put off by the party's knee-jerk republicanism.

"After reviewing Jagmeet Singh's comments against the
Monarchy I became deeply concerned. As a Federal NDP
supporter since Jack Layton, I do not have confidence in a
leader who does not understand that the Canadian Crown is
completely independent and unique from the British Crown
and of it's powerful force for national unity and Canadian
identity. I certainly don't support someone who doesn't
respect or even understand the Canadian Crown."

~Darren Brierley

"I'd vote for him [Jagmeet Singh] if the NDP weren't so anti-
monarchy. Because of that, I now usually vote Green. But
Jagmeet might convince me to vote NDP next election, if he
can show that he doesn't plan to waste time with
constitutional amendments to remove/relocate the Crown in
Canadian governance."

~marnas86

"I agree that sharing our monarch with the other
Commonwealth realms has largely been beneficial to
Canada since 1867. It is for most Canadians both a Canadian
and international symbol of continuity, non-partisan
authority, and civic participation in an increasingly
globalized society. Canada’s colonial history has many
shameful memories, but they are primarily tied to the
policies of past governments and exploitative practices of
commercial interests. The monarchy is largely a reflection of
our times and it’s current incarnation should be used to
celebrate and cultivate the best that Canada has to offer."

~James Bromilow

"I am not myself a member of the New Democratic Party,
but often find myself more sympathetic to many of its
policies than I am to those of the Liberals when concerning
the rights and concerns of the working classes, and the little
guy, generally. However, one reason I always find myself
cringing away from being able to actually support the NDP
is certain members’ stances on the monarchy... I know that I
and many people like me would feel infinitely more
comfortable with the NDP if it took a firm public stance in
favour of the Monarchy." 
~Jonathan Banks 

"Republicanism is a failed governmental concept. Compare
the peace and relative stability of the United Kingdom with
the constant strife and unrest in France, or the unparalleled
quality of life and happiness in Norway, Sweden and
Denmark. It’s no coincidence that having a uniting symbol in
the form of a King or Queen helps bring people together and
creates a better life. Republicans often point to Monarchies
being undemocratic, but I see no lack of democracy in any
Constitutional Monarchy-led country. I would see Peter
Julian be the candidate that stands up for our Monarchy;
who says “There is plenty wrong with our government and
system of electing MP’s, but not in the Canadian Monarchy. I
see no reason to do away with the unity and stability that
having a Monarchy has brought Canada over the past 150+
years.”" 
~Brian Appel

​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

NDP Leadership Candidates and the Monarchy: Jagmeet Singh

8/16/2017

 
Picture
I have received another response in my effort
to learn what the candidates for leadership of
the NDP think about the monarchy. This time
the response is from Mr. Jagmeet Singh. I had
previously received a reply directing me to
look at Mr. Singh's platform. I decided to
pester a bit longer to get an actual answer and
late yesterday I received the following reply
​from a campaign staffer:

​"Jagmeet respects that Canada is a constitutional monarchy and the roles and
responsibilities that go hand in hand with that."
~Brian
Let's start with the good: its a statement supportive of the
monarchy. The only problem is that it is vague. It is rather
unclear what 'roles and responsibilities' are being referred to.
This may be a result of an aide only being able to get a very
brief reply from the candidate. Given how busy the candidates
are I am not surprised. The other policy questions I sent had
​answers that were similarly brief and to the point. 

As always I checked the internet to see if Mr. Singh had made
any comments about the monarchy. As he is a Member of the
Ontario Legislature I held out hope there might be one or two.
Unfortunately I wasn't able to find any. I did find one person
on Reddit who stated that they would vote for Mr. Singh and
the NDP if they were more supportive of the monarchy. This
sentiment has popped up quite a bit and I would hope all the
candidates are paying attention.

UPDATE: During the leadership debate in Montreal Mr.
Singh received a question on the monarchy. Below is a
translation of his reply:

"I don’t support the Monarchy at all. So I want Canada to
remain a democracy without having a link to the
Monarchy."


I also contacted his campaign team for an explanation. Here
​is the message I sent:
Greetings Brian,

During the debate in Montreal Mr. Singh received a question on the Canadian
Monarchy and gave an answer much different than the one you sent me:

As spoken: Je ne suis d’accord pas de tout avec la monarchie, donc je veux que le
Canada reste une démocratie sans avoir un lien avec la monarchie.

Translation: I don’t support the Monarchy at all. So I want Canada to remain a
democracy without having a link to the Monarchy.

This is greatly disappointing and displays a lack of understanding about the
benefits of the monarchy to the well-functioning of Canadian democracy.

This is unfortunate as monarchy has been shown to have advantages over
republics in a number of areas including the quality of democratic norms. In a
2008 study titled "Presidents with Prime Ministers: Do Direct Elections Matter?"
by Margit Tavits she found that directly-elected presidencies did nothing to lower
voter apathy and were in fact associated with increased voter fatigue and a 7%
drop in voter turnout for legislative elections. Likewise, she found that indirectly-
elected presidents were not as non-partisan as we tend to believe them to be (since
they are still an electoral asset). The recent Austrian election shows how a
essentially powerless presidency can become divisive with the far-right challenger
being barely defeated late last year. Further, a 2009 study titled "Constitutional
Power and Competing Risks: Monarchs, Presidents, Prime Ministers, and the
Termination of East and West European Cabinets" by Petra Schleiter and Edward
Morgan-Jones found that constitutional monarchies had a marked preference for
using elections when governments lost confidence of the legislature. Both legislative
and (especially) executive presidencies had a marked preference for shuffling the
people in cabinet and continuing to the end of term. If you feel the people should be
consulted when a government falls this is not a good thing.

A Canadian democracy without the monarchy would be a degraded democracy.

Regards,
[Name Redacted]
​I received this reply from Mr. Singh's campaign:

"Thanks for writing in. I respect your opinions on the matter
and your beliefs in what makes an effective democracy. This is clearly at odds with Jagmeet's opinions on the matter."

~Brian, Team Jagmeet

These new remarks are worrisome and completely change my
​assessment of Mr. Singh's stance on the monarchy. And not
for the better.

Loyally Yours,
A Kisaragi Colour

    About

    This website is intended to be a resource for those arguing in favour of Canada's monarchy, researching Canada's royal past, or wondering what the various vice-regal representatives of the Canadian Crown are up to currently. As well, articles about other monarchies may appear from time to time. 

    Archives

    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014

    Categories

    All
    Afghanistan
    Alberta
    Albert County
    Alexandra Mendès
    Alistair MacGregor
    Allison Lawlor
    Amita Kuttner
    Andrew Saxton
    Andrew Scheer
    Annamie Paul
    Archduke Franz Ferdinand
    Aria David
    Aron Seal
    Artwork
    Australian Monarchy
    Austria
    Barbados
    Barry MacKenzie
    Bloc Quebecois
    Blog Update
    Books
    Brad Trost
    Brazil
    Brian Graff
    British Columbia
    British Monarchy
    Canada Day
    Canada Post
    Canadian Monarchist News
    Canadian Monarchy
    CANZUK International
    Caribbean Monarchist League
    Carolingian Empire
    Charity
    Charlie Angus
    Charter Of Rights And Freedoms
    Chief Edward Machimity
    Chief John Thunder
    Chief Robert Joseph
    Chris Alexander
    Christian Bjørnskov
    Christmas
    Christ The King
    Citizenship Oath
    Clamavi De Profundis
    Commonwealth
    Communists
    Confederation
    Conservative Party
    Coronation Oath
    Costs Of The Crown
    Cricket
    Crown Jewels (of Canada)
    Dalton Camp
    David Johnson
    David Merner
    Deepak Obhrai
    Democracy
    Democracy Watch
    Denmark
    Derek Sloan
    Donald Booth
    Donald Trump
    Dr. Leslyn Lewis
    Duchess Of Cambridge
    Duchess Of Hohenberg
    Duke Of Cambridge
    Dylan Mainprize
    Dylan Perceval Maxwell
    Education
    Elizabeth May
    Elsie Wayne
    Emma Dent Coad
    Emperor Charles V
    Emperor Francis II
    Emperor Kangxi
    Emperor Nero
    Emperor Pedro II
    Emperor Qianlong
    English Monarchy
    Erin O'Toole
    FCP
    Fiji
    French Monarchy
    George Stanley
    Glorious Revolution
    Government House
    Governor General
    Gov Gen. Adrienne Clarkson
    Gov Gen. David Johnston
    Gov Gen. Julie Payette
    Gov Gen. Mary Simon
    Grand Chief Henri Membertou
    Green Party
    GTA Branch
    Hawaii
    Heraldry
    Hitler
    Holy Roman Empire
    Hudson's Bay Company
    Ibrahim Bruno El-Khoury
    Interview
    Invictus Games
    Iran
    Jack Layton
    Jacques Monet
    Jagmeet Singh
    Jamaica
    James Hawkes
    Jean Charest
    Jody Wilson-Raybould
    John A. Macdonald
    John Boyko
    Jordan
    J.R.R. Tolkien
    Judy Green
    Julienne Bay
    Justin Trudeau
    Kathleen Wayne
    Kellie Leitch
    Kevin Gillespie
    King Alfonso XI
    King Carl XVI
    King Charles I
    King Charles II
    King Charles III
    King Charles XI
    King Christian IV
    King Edward I
    King Edward VII
    King Edward VIII
    King George I
    King George V
    King George VI
    King Henry VIII
    King James VI & I
    King Juan Carlos I
    King Louis XIV
    King Louis XVI
    King Matthias Corvinus
    King William IV
    King Zahir Shah
    Kisaragi
    Labour Party
    Leona Alleslev
    Letters Patent
    Liberal Party
    Lisa LaFlamme
    Lisa Raitt
    Lord Ludichris
    Loyalists
    Lt. Gov. Brenda Murphy
    Lt. Gov. Elizabeth Dowdeswell
    Lt. Gov. Graydon Nicholas
    Lt. Gov. Jocelyne Roy Vienneau
    Lt. Gov. John Graves Simcoe
    Lt. Richard Wilson
    Mackenzie King
    Magnum Concilium
    Marilyn Gladu
    Mark Steyn
    Mary Lincoln
    Maxime Bernier
    Meme
    Meryam Haddad
    Michael Chong
    Michael Valpy
    Mike Holland
    Mi'kmaw
    Mirrors For Princes
    Mohawks
    Monarchist League Of Canada
    Morocco
    Mr. Windsor
    Native Kingship
    Nawanagar
    NDP
    Neil MacAlasdair
    Netherlands
    New Brunswick
    Newfoundland
    News
    New Year's Levee
    New York
    New Zealand
    Normandy
    Nova Scotia
    Oath Of Allegiance
    Olympics
    Omoba Aina
    Ontario
    PACT
    Papua New Guinean Monarchy
    Parliament
    Pat Stogran
    PEI
    People's Alliance
    People's Party
    Peter Julian
    Peter Kurrild-Klitgaard
    Peter MacKay
    Peter Russell
    Peter Stoffer
    Philippe Lagasse
    Pierre Elliott Trudeau
    Pierre Lemieux
    Playlist
    Pope Boniface VIII
    Prime Minister
    Prince Albert
    Prince Andrew
    Prince Arthur
    Prince Charles
    Prince Edward
    Prince Ermias Sahle Selassie
    Prince Felipe
    Prince George
    Prince Harry
    Prince Philip
    Prince Reza Pahlavi
    Prince Rupert
    Princess Anne
    Princess Louise
    Prince Victor
    Prince William
    Profiles
    Progressivism
    Quebec
    Queen Anne
    Queen Elizabeth I
    Queen Elizabeth II
    Queen's Counsel
    Queen Victoria
    Quotes
    Randall Garrison
    R.B. Bennett
    Referendum
    Religion
    Remembrance Day
    Republicans
    Restoration
    Richard Bassett
    Rick Peterson
    Right To Be Consulted
    Right To Encourage
    Right To Warn
    Robert Finch
    Robert Pichette
    Robertson Davies
    Rob Moore
    Romana Didulo
    Royal 22nd Regiment
    Royal Anthems
    Royal Christmas Message
    Royal Jubilee
    Royal Tour
    Royal Warrant
    Saskatchewan
    Saudi Arabia
    Science
    Scott Aitchison
    Scott Morrison
    Sir David Kirke
    Sir Samuel Leonard Tilley
    Six Nations
    Social Media
    Stephen Harper
    Succession
    Sultan Alauddin Riayat Shah
    Supreme Court Of Canada
    The Ceremonial Guard
    The Constitution
    The Enlightenment
    The Mad Monarchist
    The Phoenix Project
    Tim Besley
    Timeline
    Tim Thompson
    Tom Freda
    Tom Mulcair
    Tony Abbott
    Tony Clement
    Top 10 List
    United States
    Victoria Day
    Viscount Monck
    Wallis Simpson
    Walter Bagehot
    Wet'suwet'en
    Winston Churchill
    W. L. Morton
    Young Monarchists
    Yukon
    Zahedi Center

    RSS Feed

    Picture
    Proud Supporter of the Monarchist League of Canada
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Proud Supporter of Connecting Albert County
    Picture
    Elsie Wayne 1932-2016
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.