Category: Kisaragi

Meme Monday #7

3/16/2020

Wash your hands, people!

The Corona virus pandemic has led many to alter their
behavior as a means of stopping its spread. Her Majesty is
said to be reviewing up-coming events with an eye to whether
they will need to be cancelled or postponed. There is also a
plan in place for her quarantine should the out-break
worsen. This is prudent as, despite Her Majesty's seeming
immortality, she is in fact 93. And despite the urge to panic it
is important to remember we have been here before. Be
sensible about your plans and be prepared to change them.

It might be helpful to look back to the pandemic known as the
Black Death. We have interesting accounts of the different
reactions to the disease's spread. Of note is that while there
were members of the royalty who fell to the plague there is
only one known reigning monarch who died; Alfonso XI of
Castile. While besieging Gibraltar in 1350 the plague broke
out in his camp. He refused to abandon the siege, fell ill, and
died. This resulted in the Castilians withdrawing.

So I will leave you all with some simple advice; wash your
hands, don't go places if you are sick, and avoid large
gathering for the immediate future (sieges or otherwise).

Loyally Yours,
A Kisaragi Colour

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Conservative Leadership Candidates and the Monarchy: Marilyn Gladu

3/3/2020

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Today I'm sharing the survey response
received from Marilyn Gladu via
Facebook. She is the MP for Sarnia—
Lambton and was first elected in
2015. Mrs. Gladu's response was the
last received before the reminder
emails went out. So far the response
rate has been better than expected. I
will be posting an index of them soon.
Now, on to survey results.

What are your views on the monarchy?

"I love the Queen."

As prime minister would you make use of the
Advisory Committee on Vice-Regal Appointments
that was active between 2010 and 2015?

"I haven’t heard about this program, but will look into it."

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?

"Yes"

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?

"Yes."

Let me start off with what was good about Mrs. Gladu's reply;
It was broadly supportive and she committed to carrying out
two of the policies outlined above.

While Mrs. Gladu stated that she loves the Queen this does
leave unrevealed what she thinks of the institution as a whole.
Her lack of knowledge about the Advisory Committee on Vice-
Regal Appointments is perhaps best explained by her election
having occurred after the committee ceased to be used. And
of course I'd prefer longer replies (but I always prefer longer
replies so that is neither here nor there).

Checking the Parliament debate records did turn up an
interesting quote:

"Our Westminster style of Parliament is based on allegiance to the Queen. How
then can we allow someone who has lived in Canada for 13 years, who has seen
how our government is based, who knows this and wants to be a Canadian citizen,
to swear their oath pledging allegiance to the Queen one day and then the next day
revoke that allegiance and still retain their citizenship? Will we also allow
individuals to revoke the other part of the oath where they pledge to obey Canadian
law? My view is that, when people take the pledge to join this great country, they
should not be able to pick and choose which parts they like. It is not a buffet."

This is probably a reference to this practice. No further
comments were found via google search.

Loyally Yours,
A Kisaragi Colour

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February 17th marks 50 years since the Monarchist League of Canada was Founded

2/17/2020

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It is hard to believe it really has been five years since I was
writing about the League turning 45. This blog wasn't even a
year old at that point and I was in the process of moving back
home to New Brunswick.

League meeting held in Toronto yesterday

The League has sent out a statement reflecting on its golden
anniversary which I have included below in its entirety:

Fifty years ago today the League was founded.

1970 was incalculably different from 2020, both in terms of
Canadian society, generally - what we think of as “the
sixties” had really hit the nation more in the early 1970's -
and specifically, in “official” Ottawa's attitude towards the
Monarchy.

Royal nomenclature was disappearing throughout
government bodies. A Cabinet Minister felt free to say that
no one would know the difference between his substituting
on post offices for the Canadian Royal Arms a Schenley
liquor bottle’s “arms.” The Royal Anthem was rarely
included at official functions - SecState propagated the myth
it should only be sung in the presence of the Sovereign!
Rideau Hall was beginning a long slide to portray the
Governor General as “head of state.” Deference to The Queen
and Royal Family was markedly absent in the media. Paul
Hellyer’s unification of the Armed Forces brought with it the
deracination of many of the three Services' Royal
associations. A sense of inevitable change hung in the air.

Pierre Trudeau would come to appreciate a remarkable
Sovereign, and in time, the institution she personifies. But he
had predicted in his first years in office that “the new values
of the up-and-coming generation might cause Canada to
give up her connection [sic] to the Monarchy.” Whoever
would have imagined that in a little more than a decade he
would conclude a deal on the Constitution which would -
probably forever - entrench the Monarchy as our form of
government!

There was no Internet in those days to facilitate easy and
inexpensive communication. However, that, remarkably,
some 600 would turn out to pack one of the little-publicized
first League meetings, this one in Ottawa on a warm June
evening, was perhaps a harbinger that there was greater
loyalty, and a deeper concern for the future of the Canadian
Crown, than anyone could have imagined.

League badge

With that concern came no
inconsiderable burden, as some
monarchists sought to use the
cause of the Crown - and the
League - as a hobbyhorse on
which to ride into battle for a
variety of causes which
were linked in not a few minds
to the need to preserve the
Crown. These included but
were not limited to individuals
who wanted the League to fight
to hold fast to the
‘British connection', to oppose
official bilingualism and to
restore the Red Ensign, not to mention that it should support
the restoration of monarchies in a host of former kingdoms.

And with those views came a rich cast of characters, many
sincere, others whom one might kindly dub as ‘curious’ and
in a few cases, positively crazy. It would take some decades
for the membership to be as sensible as it is today, when it
much more closely reflects the many diversities of
contemporary Canada.

Another societal change was occurring in the decade of the
League's founding: it sprung into existence in the final days
of those remarkable, talented women who did not hold "a
job" but whose sacrificial hard work on behalf of voluntary
associations had for generations formed a thread of
community and good works across the country. Monarchists
are not alone in missing them sorely: they constituted the
lynch-pin of the League's early life and success. So it is well
to remember some of them by name today: Molly Ingram,
Margaret Mace, Dene Mainguy, Gladys Killip, Grace
George, Rosemary Campbell, Loveday Cadenhead, Jean
Greene, Felicity Burton,"Gusty" Roulston and Elizabeth
Horlock, to think of but a few. They were every bit the equal
of those who stand beside them in the memories of members
who survive and still recall those brave days. that formative
time: men, devoted and loyal, such as Bob Coates, Strome
Galloway, Al Boyd, John Hendricks, Michael Jackson, Stan
Schumacher, Stan Sinclair and Alex Paton.

Amidst the inevitable false starts and challenging
organizational issues during those early days, one decision
would prove fateful and ultimately give the League a
credibility which it otherwise would never have enjoyed: its
insistence that its sole cause would be the education of fellow
Canadians in the rational advantages of the institution of the
Constitutional Monarchy in Canada, and the defence of that
institution against attacks and misrepresentation.
Gradually, the media came to treat the League as a
legitimate source of news and opinion, Lieutenant Governors
felt they could give it their Patronage, and so over the years
two sitting Governors General and a former occupant of
Rideau Hall attended League functions, as did a number of
members of the Royal Family.

Occupying a niche in the body politic, and sticking to it, was
a good judgment, but not always easy, and not altogether
supported by many members. The “big tent” philosophy -
and the concept of “the Aboriginal Circle widening to include
us all” as so aptly put by Governor General Adrienne
Clarkson - would take the League some time to sort out.
Common sense, good humour and respect for others can
sometimes be problematic even today, when one unfortunate
over-zealous comment online can misrepresent our work,
and tar individuals and causes alike.

This year of celebration may provide the opportunity to
enlarge upon past history, present accomplishments and
future agenda items of and for the League - with new
programs, fundraising activities and the like. Suffice it to say
that the League has “gagné ses epaulettes” and its chief
enemy today is complacency. This is perhaps
understandable at a time when many battles have been
won, easy targets have largely disappeared and three of the
four major federalist party leaders support the institution of
Monarchy. So it is all the more important that we do not
allow the League to become a victim of our own success, nor
of “clubby” institutional self-satisfaction.

So too it is with reason that we may look back with no small
pride on the energy of our early days, and enjoy the calmish
waters of the present, while ever keeping in mind the
challenges to come: si vis pacem, para bellum.

Thus tonight we might feel we can, with that pride, look
inward for just a moment and at our supper tables raise a
glass to “the League.”

And whatever our own beliefs might be, we may remember
the fervent supplication of the psalmist known to two of the
great Abrahamic faiths, whose prayer - set so memorably to
music by Ralph Vaughan Williams - formed the last words
spoken at our 25th Anniversary celebrations in 1995:
“Prosper Thou O Lord the work of our hands...O prosper
Thou our handiwork.”

Our dear Queen - “whose fortress is a faithful heart” - will
continue to do her duty.

God willing the League will continue to do its duty.

Fidelitate Conjuncti ~ La loyauté nous lie ~ Loyalty binds us.

League flag

Il y a cinquante ans aujourd'hui, la
Ligue était fondée.

L’année 1970 était incalculablement
différente de 2020, tant du point de
vue de la société canadienne en
général - «les années soixantes»
avaient vraiment plus frappé le pays au début des années de
970 - et plus précisément de l’attitude «officielle» d’Ottawa à
l’égard de la monarchie.

La nomenclature royale disparaissait dans tous les
organismes gouvernementaux. Un ministre du Cabinet n’a
pas hésité à dire que personne ne connaîtrait la différence
entre le blason canadien et le «blason» d’une bouteille
d’alcool Schenley. L’hymne royal était rarement chanté lors
de réceptions officielles: SecState a propagé le mythe qu'il ne
devrait être chanté qu'en présence du Souverain! Rideau
Hall commençait une longue glissade pour présenter le
gouverneur général comme un «chef d'État». La déférence
envers la Reine et la famille royale était nettement absente
dans les médias. L’unification des forces armées par Paul
Hellyer a entraîné le déracination de nombreuses
associations royales des trois services. Un sentiment de
changement inévitable était en suspens.

Pierre Trudeau en viendrait à apprécier une Souveraine
remarquable et, avec le temps, l'institution qu'elle
personnifie. Mais il avait prédit, dans ses premières années
au pouvoir, que «les nouvelles valeurs de la génération
montante pourraient amener le Canada à abandonner son
lien avec la monarchie». Quiconque l'aurait imaginé dans un
peu plus d'une décennie, il conclurait un accord sur la
Constitution qui - probablement pour toujours - consacrerait
la monarchie en tant que notre forme de gouvernement!

Il n'y avait pas d'Internet à cette époque pour faciliter la
communication facile et peu coûteuse. Cependant, il est à
noter que quelque 600 personnes se préparaient à organiser
la première réunion peu médiatisée de la Ligue à Ottawa un
soir de juin, annonçant peut-être une loyauté accrue et une
préoccupation plus profonde pour l'avenir de la Couronne
canadienne que quiconque aurait pu imaginer.

Cette préoccupation a entraîné un fardeau considérable, car
certains monarchistes voulaient utiliser la cause de la
Couronne - et de la Ligue - comme un cheval de bataille sur
lequel se battre pour une variété de causes qui étaient liées
dans de nombreux esprits à la nécessité de: préserver la
couronne. Ceux-ci incluaient, mais ne se limitaient pas, aux
individus qui souhaitaient que la Ligue se batte pour
maintenir le lien "britannique", s'opposer au bilinguisme
officiel et restaurer le Red Ensign, sans oublier qu'elle
devrait soutenir la restauration des monarchies dans une
multitude de pays, anciens royaumes. Celles-ci partageaient
un riche éventail de personnages, certains sincères, d’autres
que l’on pourrait aimablement qualifier de «curieux» et,
dans certains cas, de fous. Il faudrait plusieurs décennies
pour que les membres soient aussi diversifiés qu’aujourd’hui,
alors que cela reflétait beaucoup mieux les nombreuses
diversités du Canada contemporain.

League coat of arms

Un autre changement de société
se produisit au cours des dix
années de fondation de la Ligue:
il apparut dans les derniers jours
de ces femmes remarquables et
talentueuses qui n’exerçaient pas
"un emploi" mais dont le dur
labeur sacrificiel accompli au
nom d’associations bénévoles
constituait depuis des générations
un fil de la communauté et de
bonnes œuvres à travers le pays. Les monarchistes ne sont
pas les seuls à les manquer: ils ont constitué le pivot de la
jeunesse et du succès de la Ligue. Il est donc bon de rappeler
quelques-uns de leurs noms aujourd'hui: Molly Ingram,
Margaret Mace, Dene Mainguy, Gladys Killip, Grace
George, Rosemary Campbell, Loveday Cadenhead, Felicity
Burton, "Gusty" Roulston et Elizabeth Horlock, pour ne
penser qu'à peu. Ils étaient tout à fait égaux par rapport à
ceux qui se tiennent à leurs côtés dans la mémoire des
membres qui ont survécu et se souviennent encore de ces
jours courageux. ce temps de formation; ces hommes,
dévoués et loyaux, tels que Bob Coates, Strome Galloway, Al
Boyd, John Hendricks, Michael Jackson, Stan Schumacher,
Stan Sinclair et Alex Paton.

Parmi les inévitables faux départs et les problèmes
organisationnels difficiles de ces débuts, une décision
s'avèrerait fatale et donnerait finalement à la Ligue une
crédibilité dont elle n'aurait jamais bénéficié autrement: son
insistance que son unique cause serait l'éducation de ses
concitoyens canadiens dans un esprit rationnel. les
avantages de l'institution de la monarchie constitutionnelle
au Canada et la défense de cette institution contre les
attaques et les déclarations inexactes. Peu à peu, les médias
ont fini par considérer la Ligue comme une source légitime
d’informations et d’opinions. Les lieutenants-gouverneurs
estimaient pouvoir donner leur patronage. Ainsi, au fil des
années, deux gouverneurs généraux en exercice et un ancien
occupant de Rideau Hall ont assisté aux fonctions de la
Ligue, comme aussi un certain nombre de membres de la
famille royale.

D'occuper une niche dans le corps politique et s'y tenir était
un bon jugement, mais pas toujours facile, et pas
entièrement soutenu par de nombreux membres. La
philosophie de la «grande tente» - et le concept «d'élargir le
cercle autochtone pour nous inclure tous», ainsi que l'a si
justement exprimé la Gouverneure Générale Adrienne
Clarkson - prendraient un peu de temps à régler. Le bon
sens, la bonne humeur et le respect d'autrui peuvent parfois
être problématiques même aujourd'hui, lorsqu'un
commentaire malheureux et trop zélé en ligne peut déformer
notre travail et tarir les individus et les causes de la même
manière.

Cette année de célébration pourrait être l’occasion d’exploiter
l’histoire passée, les réalisations actuelles et les points à
l’ordre du jour futurs de et pour la Ligue - avec des
programmes spécifiques, des activités de collecte de fonds et
autres choses de ce genre. Qu'il suffise de dire que la Ligue a
«gagné ses épaulettes» et que son principal ennemi
aujourd'hui est la complaisance. Cela est peut-être
compréhensible à un moment où de nombreuses batailles ont
été remportées, les cibles faciles disparues en grande partie
et trois des quatre chefs de partis fédéralistes soutenant
l’institution de la monarchie. Il est donc d'autant plus
important que nous ne permettions pas à la Ligue de devenir
victime de notre propre succès, pas plus que de notre propre
satisfaction institutionnelle.

C’est aussi avec raison que nous devrions regarder en arrière
avec fierté l’énergie de nos débuts et profiter des eaux calmes
du présent, tout en gardant toujours à l’esprit les défis à
venir: si vis pacem, para bellum.

Ainsi, ce soir, nous pourrions avec cette fierté regarder en
nous pour un instant et à nos tables du souper lever le verre
à «la Ligue».

Et quelles que soient nos propres croyances, nous pouvons
nous souvenir de la fervente supplication du psalmiste connu
de deux des grandes religions abrahamiques, dont la prière -
mise en musique de manière mémorable par Ralph Vaughan
Williams - a formé les derniers mots prononcés lors de la
célébration de notre 25e anniversaire en 1995: "Prospére O
Seigneur l'oeuvre de nos mains ... O prospère notre oeuvre".

Notre chère Reine - «dont sa forteresse est un cœur fidèle» -
continuera de faire son devoir.

Et si Dieu le veut, la Ligue continuera de faire son devoir
Fidelitate Conjuncti ~ La loyauté nous lie ~ Loyalty binds us.

Congratulations to the League on reaching this important
milestone!

Loyally Yours,
A Kisaragi Colour

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Conservative Leadership Candidates and the Monarchy: Erin O'Toole

2/10/2020

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I had a chance to meet with leadership
candidate Erin O'Toole this morning
during his campaign stop in Moncton. This
is Erin's second attempt to become the
leader of the Conservative Party. I have
contacted Erin before but due to how
the last survey was conducted it ended up
causing us both a headache. As such I
really wanted to get his reply in-person this
time. The results of the Q&A are below.

What are your views on the monarchy?

This was the one question I didn't have to ask in-person as he
answered it the last go around:

"I was very proud to have received The Queen's Commission in the Canadian
Armed Forces, and it hangs in my office. I have worked indirectly with the Royal
Family on the True Patriot Love Foundation - a military charity I co-founded - and
for which I received Her Majesty's Diamond Jubilee medal. The photo book of
Prince Harry's visit to Canada House for this charity sits on the coffee table in my
Hill office. And it was this organization that successfully bid for Canada to host this
year's Invictus Games, led by Prince Harry. There is nobody in the race who has
more of a direct association with the monarchy, nor, I believe, is there anyone in
the race who has been more publicly supportive of the monarchy than I. One of my
most widely reported policies during this race is all about working closer with our
Commonwealth allies. I have raised the monarchy and its strengths in my many
discussions about the CANZUK policy, which would create a trade and security
pact for Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the UK. The above is a snapshot to
give you a flavour of my track record and consistent and steadfast support for the
monarchy as a foundational element of our parliamentary democracy and a
positive force in our society." (2017)

A quick check of openparliament.ca brought up a couple
examples of Mr. O'Toole's regard for the monarchy.

As prime minister would you make use of the
Advisory Committee on Vice-Regal Appointments
that was active between 2010 and 2015?

Erin stated that he supports the reactivation of this
committee.

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?

Erin stated that he would reinstate this program and that he
was critical at the time of the decision by the government.

While I couldn't find his opposition to ending the program
online he did link to an article on his MP page about the
problems in regard to ending it.

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?

Erin stated support for this idea in principle. He only
hesitated to fully get behind this idea due to not being entirely
sure how much space was available. He mentioned it has been
several years since he was last in that building.

I would like to thank Mr. O'Toole for taking the time to
answer my questions.

Loyally Yours,
A Kisaragi Colour

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Green Party Leadership Candidates and the Monarchy: Judy Green

2/5/2020

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Photo Credit: Judy Green

The Green Party is the second federal
party holding a leadership race this
year after the lovely Elizabeth May
announced in 2019 that she was
stepping down. In truth I am paying
somewhat more attention to this race
than I am to the Conservative one for
the simple fact Elizabeth May has been
one of the most vocal monarchists in
Parliament of the last decade and it
would be nice for her to have a worthy
successor. Today I received a reply from
the aptly named Judy Green. The
questions Mrs. Green was asked for reference:

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?

Her reply: "Hi James, We are a constitutional monarchy. I
do not have strong personal preferences one way of another.
As with all GPC policies it is not the leader or president who
makes those decisions. I would encourage you to follow the
process for creating policy and present your plan to the
membership at the BGM. Personally, I would look at the
reasons that this was changed, what are the pros and the
cons and what do the people want, before taking a position
on it."

Overall, a neutral response. Previous Green politicians have
noted that the leader has no control over policy and used this
to avoid saying anything about their personal stance. So in
that regard Mrs. Green gets points for saying she doesn't care
either way. Her suggestion on submitting questions 4 & 5 as
policies was also helpful. Sadly, this survey isn't seeking to
measure helpfulness but it is nice to see regardless.

Judy Green has not been elected and therefore has no
presence in the Hansard. Her online presence seems limited
to the announcement of her candidacy.

Loyally Yours,
A Kisaragi Colour

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Conservative Leadership Candidates and the Monarchy: Aron Seal

2/4/2020

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Photo Credit: Aron Seal

Hard to believe that it has been
three years since I last surveyed
the prospective leaders of the
Conservative Party of Canada. As
in 2017 there is a large number of
candidates. Also, like 2017, there is
a second race later in the year for
a different federal party (this time
it is the Greens). I am sending an
expanded list of questions this
time around:

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?

First up is Aron Seal who replied the same day the questions
were sent. While I appreciate promptness in this instance it is
because he didn't have to think the questions over very hard:

"Sir - I believe this tweet
should answer your
questions. I am afraid we
are at odds on this issue.
Best wishes, Aron"

As Mr. Seal has not held
public office the Hansard
cannot be checked for any
additional comments.
However, he has tweeted
a similar sentiment at
least once before.

Overall, a disappointing
start to this overview of
the candidates as the last
one found none of the
contenders harbored any
republican sentiments.
Both the sentiments
expressed (and factual
errors in his tweets) do
not leave me with much to
commend.

Loyally Yours,
A Kisaragi Colour

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Is it a Good Idea for Prince Harry to Become Governor General of Canada?

1/14/2020

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The Duke & Duchess of Sussex

A recent poll found that 60% of
Canadians would be supportive
of Prince Harry becoming
Governor General of Canada. The
poll result is interesting in its
own right with younger
Canadians being just as
supportive of the idea as middle-
aged Canadians. But would this
even be a good idea?

This question is really two separate questions: 1. Would it be
good for the office of the governor general, and 2. would it be
good for Prince Harry and Meghan themselves? For once the
question of constitutionality doesn't butt in; pretty much
anyone can be Governor General of Canada.

Sussex, NB. Photo Credit: Rangeley

So lets start with what the
hypothetical appointment
would bring to the position of
governor general. For starters it
would bring to the position
someone who is experienced in
doing the job. This doesn't
count for nothing as many of the early missteps taken by
Julie Payette were the result of her not being properly
prepared for what she was getting into. There aren't many
jobs that prepare you to be governor general after all. Being a
member of the Royal Family is one of them. Prince Harry
would also bring a greater degree of attention to the activities
of the governor general. This is needed as governors general
advocate for many causes and charitable organizations and
acts to try and bring Canadians together. This role is neutered
when no one knows what the representatives of the Crown are
doing. This leads to a final point: the office of the governor
general is also a more effective counter to the prime minister
of the day when the person in that office is well-known. While
we have had many good governors general over the years the
combination of relative pre-appointment anonymity, media
neglect, and unfounded suspicions of partisan appointment
have often left the governor general in a prestige deficit
compared to the prime minister of the day. A prime minister
that is a little less sure they have the public's support to push
the governor general around would be a positive
improvement.

Flag of Sussex (England)

But all that said, would it be good for
Prince Harry and his young family?
This is where the idea falls apart
because I don't think it would be.
Prince Harry has a complicated
relationship with the media. In order
to do his job as a royal he needs the
media but as a son, and now as a husband and father, he has
seen the media hurt those he cares about. Prince Harry was
unable to protect his mother from the British tabloids and he
has begun to see the limits to how much he can protect his
wife and son. His situation evokes enough pathos to strangle
an elephant. To put him in a position which greatly needs
more media attention would be cruel. For her part Meghan
would be thrust back into the position of trying to balance
being a new mother, having a career, and being a royal. It is
hard enough to pull off two of those things at the same time
without adding a third. And Prince Harry and Meghan have
only been married a short time. It very well could put too
much strain on their marriage. And the last thing the Royal
Family needs is another messy divorce.

Invictus Games Logo

So Prince Harry should never be
Governor General of Canada?
Well, I didn't say that. The
problems I mentioned above are
mostly temporary considerations.
Archie will grow up. Prince Harry and Meghan will hit their
stride. And the media in Canada will continue to be a bit
tamer than their British cousins (I credit the cold winters).
While not a good idea in the immediate future I think in about
ten to fifteen years it would be welcome to hear of the
appointment of 'His Excellency, Prince Harry, Governor
General of Canada'.

And to a certain extent events could
nudge everyone in that direction. Prince
Harry and Meghan want a reduced role
as members of the Royal Family. The
simplest way would be to have their
portfolio of duties centred on Canada
which would cut down on international
travel a bit (and keep the British tabloid
bottom-feeders far away). Prince Charles' Canadian charities
would be a good fit for this. Living here, working here, and
(dare I dream) potentially seeking Canadian citizenship would
all increase support for such an appointment. Because as
much as people talk about Canadians being apathetic about
their monarchy that is only true when members of the Royal
Family aren't here. The awkward situation of the governor
general being over-shadowed by a member of the Royal
Family doing much the same job as them part-time but
getting more traction could only go on so long before the idea
of going through with this appointment comes up again.

And who knows where it would end? If Prince Harry breathes
new life into the position why replace him after the customary
five years? Or ten years? Or ever? Maybe we would actually
have a governor general that gets enough time to really make
the position shine.

Loyally Yours,
A Kisaragi Colour

2 Comments

The Canadian Monarchy in the Year Ahead

12/26/2019

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While 2019 has been an exciting year politically, the Canadian
Monarchy has been low-key in a lot of ways. The Governor
General seems to have adapted to her new role and put her
mark on it. The government's questionable decision to cancel
the free royal portrait program was balanced out by the recent
appointment of a new Canadian Secretary to the Queen. Of
course the Queen finished off the year with her Christmas
message as she always does. That one of Her Majesty's themes
was reconciliation is apropos to Canada.

But as we inch towards the New Year I wanted to take a
minute to look at what is known to lie ahead and what can
with some certainty be predicted.

Leadership Races

Elizabeth May

Both the Conservatives and the Greens
will have leadership races in 2020. As is
my tradition I will be submitting a list of
questions to all the candidates. Both of
the out-going leaders are monarchists
with Elizabeth May being very vocal
over the years about this and Andrew
Scheer being the leader of Her Majesty's
Loyal Opposition. So I am sad to see
their time as leaders come to an end.
But at the same time there is a silver
lining to be seen.

Either by accident, or design, Mr. Scheer repelled Maxime
Bernier from the Conservative Party. Long-time readers may
recall that Mr. Bernier did not score highly on the last
survey I conducted. That the man who came in a close second
last time has zero chance in the up-coming contest is a relief.

I have greater concerns about the Green Party which seems to be at a cross-roads of sorts. Elizabeth May has been a strong
influence within the party for so long that I can't make any
predictions about what her successor would be like.

The New Democrats

I still have concerns about Mr. Singh's republicanism but
the party itself looks better going into 2020. Declared
monarchist Randall Garrison kept his seat in a reduced
caucus and the minority government situation should keep
the NDP from putting forward any damaging proposals.

Polls

At some point there will be an opinion poll on the monarchy.
The poll will show Canadians love the Queen more than our
politicians, are evenly divided on the monarchy itself, and are
ambivalent about Prince Charles. Reporters will conveniently
forget that ambivalence is actually an improvement and fret
about the future of the monarchy. Having finished this
pantomime for another year we will give ourselves a pat on
the back and agree to meet again in another 8-12 months.

Royal Homecomings

While none have been announced to my knowledge with the
appointment of a New Canadian Secretary to the Queen we
may hope that one is in the works.

Monarchy in New Brunswick

Just this week a group in New Brunswick launched a court
action over the recent appointment Brenda Murphy as the
province's Lieutenant-Governor. This case will likely play out
over the coming year. My gut feeling is that it won't go
anywheres but you never know. Something to watch closely.

Monarchist League in New Brunswick

Personally, I have finished out my first full year as Chairman
of the New Brunswick Branch of the Monarchist League of
Canada. Out-reach and educational activities were largely confined to the South-East. This is a situation that I will be
working to address.

Loyally Yours,
A Kisaragi Colour

2 Comments

My Reply to John Boyko

12/4/2019

0 Comments

On December 1st the Toronto Star published an opinion
piece by John Boyko, an author of seven books on
Canadian history and politics. In this opinion piece John lays
out his views on abolishing the monarchy (he is for it). I found
myself angrier than I expected upon reading his take on the
issue which required some reflection on my part.

As someone who happens to like his biography of R.B.
Bennett I was somewhat disappointed by his stance. In the
same way you might be disappointed to find out that someone
who's talents you admire has an unexpected character flaw.
But reading the article there was a more basic reason for my
anger: A historian should know better.

And so as a bit of catharsis I am going to dissect what John
wrote. And, in fact, the opinion piece nearly demands it be
dissected due to the surprisingly low quality of the argument
put forward.

Prince Andrew on 29 January 2013, Photo Credit: Titanic Belfast

"Canadians should be grateful
to Prince Andrew. His allegedly
reprehensible behaviour and
disastrous interview invite
Canadians to consider our ties
to the monarchy. It’s time to cut
them."

Mr. Boyko does not make it past the
first paragraph before he stretches
reason beyond its breaking point.
Why should Prince Andrew's alleged
acts (or barring that, his pretty questionable decisions
regardless) invite Canadians to consider our ties to the
monarchy? When it was revealed that Justin Trudeau had did
blackface on more than one occasion I don't recall any
hand wringing over the 'need' to abolish the prime minister's
office. Likewise, when a federal judge (only an appointment
away from the Supreme Court) made a disgusting comment
during a rape trial the reaction was not op-eds on how it was
time we put the Supreme Court to bed. In both of these cases
we recognize that the institution is bigger than the temporary,
fallible, person who occupies it (or could, maybe, occupy it if
the stars aligned correctly). So, why is no such consideration given to the institution of the monarchy? Mr. Boyko does not
say. His failure to address this question leaves the impression that Prince Andrew's alleged actions are mentioned solely to
put his audience in the right mood to accept the rest of his argument. While this is great use of rhetoric it is hardly an
argument.

"The severance would not be a radical act but the
final step in our long stroll to sovereignty. It began
with Queen Victoria signing the British North
America Act. It was a baby step with Britain still
controlling all that mattered. But we kept walking."

Amazing. Everything John wrote here is wrong. For starters it
conflates Canada's ties to Britain with Canada's ties to the
monarchy. It also manages to ignore that the political history
of all of Canada's founding peoples is largely monarchical, be
it the French ancien regime, English limited monarchy, or
Aboriginal hereditary chief traditions. No part of Canada
has ever been a republic. I think Mr. Boyko is downplaying
just how radical this act would be.

In an subtle way this section undermines his argument.
Queen Victoria supported Confederation and helped get it
across the finish line. When John A. Macdonald had his
audience with the Queen it is recorded he declared,"We have
desired in this measure to declare in the most solemn and
emphatic manner our resolve to be under the sovereignty of
Your Majesty and your family forever." John A. made no
such declaration regarding Britain.

Queen Victoria, Mother of Confederation

"The first steps involved saying no."

Mr. Boyko then proceeds to go off on a tangent detailing
about how Canada slowly moved away from British influence
over its affairs. But I want to instead detail the history of
Canada saying yes to the monarchy. We said yes when the
details of Confederation were being worked out. Indeed, the
monarchical character of Canada was agreed to more readily
than any other measure.

The main result of the King-Byng Affair was that the governor
general would henceforth be the monarch's representative,
not the representative of the British government. Once again
we said yes.

When the Statute of Westminster was passed in the 1930s we
said yes again. The Canadian government began advising the
monarch directly. King Edward VIII's dedication of the
Canadian National Vimy Memorial was the first act advised
and supported by his Canadian ministers alone.

"Two years later, the prime minister appointed our
first Canadian-born governor-general. Our head of
state would never again be another left-over lord."

Our head of state is the monarch, not the governor general. A
wizard, er, historian should know better!

"That step would have us confess that titular power is
a sham; that we and not the Crown owns our public
land, and that in a mature democracy, it has no place
in our courts or on our money."

As someone currently in the process of trying to get the
property of an old railway line currently owned by the Crown
transferred to my family I can assure you we do not own the
Crown lands and I highly doubt becoming a republic is going
to change that. Indeed, certain research suggests republics
are less respectful of property rights than would otherwise be
the case.

The appeal to democracy is amusing. Many monarchies are
also mature democracies. There is no inherent contradiction
between the two. And arguably, having a monarchy is better
for democracy.

But more disturbing is that Mr. Boyko doesn't touch on what
happens to the Crown's reserve powers if he actually gets his
wish. Better to ignore such a difficult question, I suppose.

"In a nod to fiscal responsibility, we could end the
Governor General’s $289,000 salary and all the other
attendant costs that exceed $50 million a year."

This is brought up repeatedly by republicans while ignoring
that presidencies have tended to be more expensive and that
we would likely have a president. But since Mr. Boyko doesn't
mention establishing a presidency we are again left with the
nagging question of the reserve powers. But a bigger issue is...

Quick! What is the size of the Canadian federal budget? If you
said $355.6 billion then congratulations on looking that figure up on Google. I don't think Mr. Boyko did. $50 million is the tiniest nod to 'fiscal responsibility' the government could
possibly make (assuming no presidency is established).

Rideau Hall, Photo Credit: Concierge.2C

"We could sell or re-purpose
the Royal housing across
Canada, beginning with
bulldozing the shamble on
Sussex and moving the prime
minister into Rideau Hall."

Let's start by pointing out that the
reason 24 Sussex Drive is in such bad repair is that successive
prime ministers have balked at the idea of fixing it. Not
popular with the people, you know. Even in the Trudeau
family's temporary home at the Rideau Cottage the kitchen
needs work. I see no indication that giving Rideau Hall over
to the tender mercies of an endless stream of prime ministers
uninterested in upkeep will do Rideau Hall any favours.

"Our new democracy could dispense with most of the
Governor General’s ceremonial duties and leave the
rest to a deputy prime minister; a person elected and
not selected."

Our newly degraded democracy is looking shabbier all the
time. Joyless and dull. Many of the governor general's
ceremonial duties have to do with helping the people know
the government gives a damn or encouraging Canadians to
aim higher. But perhaps some of those duties will be saved for
the deputy prime minister. A person whose name does not
immediately come to mind. But you see, them being elected is
the problem. Mr. Boyko started off his article wanted to drop
the monarchy because of the alleged actions of one man. Here
he supposes that an elected official will behave better than a
selected or hereditary one? We have too many contemporary
examples proving this to be false. Or perhaps Mr. Boyko
believes that as long as they are elected it doesn't matter of
what quality the person is carrying out these duties?

"Our last step to independence would necessitate a
constitutional conference. Embrace it. Let’s ape our
founders and ensure that delegates are the leaders of
our federal, provincial, and territorial governments
and their opposition leaders. Indigenous
representatives must be at the table. Let the
conference begin by declaring a republic and then
addressing the claims of Quebec’s Bloc and the
prairie’s Wexit."

This is the point where I question whether Mr. Boyko's entire
exercise has been a clever satire. Not only will a constitutional
conference have all the provincial governments, the federal
government, territorial governments attending but also
indigenous representatives and opposition representatives
from each legislature. How will such a group come to any sort
of agreement? The original conferences were a success
because there was some agreement to build on (starting with
a shared sovereign). And even then not every colony got on
board with Confederation right away.

And it will solve regional grievances too! And everyone gets a
pony!

"Let us welcome Prince Andrew’s invitation, seize the
moment, and engage in a serious national
conversation."

Serious national conversations start with a serious voice to set the tone. Let me know when such a person appears because it certainly was not the writer of the Toronto Star article.

Loyally Yours,
A Kisaragi Colour

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Donald Booth Named Canadian Secretary to the Queen

11/15/2019

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The Canadian Secretary to the Queen is the primary means of
communication between the cabinet and the monarch. They
have important roles in advising the monarch and helping to
organize royal tours.

The role has been vacant since 2017 when the last CSQ, Kevin
MacLeod stepped down. A vacancy of a couple years is not
entirely unusual for this position. The longest vacancy was
actually between 2005 and 2009. For the last couple years the
roles of the office have been exercised by the Department of
Canadian Heritage.

Donald Booth has previously worked in the Privy Council.
There is little other information about him at this time.

According to the Monarchist League of Canada the Prime
Minister was the 'moving spirit' behind this appointment. It
is good to hear that among the many priorities of running a
minority government Justin Trudeau hasn't let the monarchy
slip through the cracks. This could also indicate that future
royal tours are in the planning stages as the CSQ has an
important role in that regard.

Loyally Yours,
A Kisaragi Colour

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<<Previous

Meme Monday #7

Conservative Leadership Candidates and the Monarchy: Marilyn Gladu

February 17th marks 50 years since the Monarchist League of Canada was Founded

Conservative Leadership Candidates and the Monarchy: Erin O'Toole

Green Party Leadership Candidates and the Monarchy: Judy Green

Conservative Leadership Candidates and the Monarchy: Aron Seal

Is it a Good Idea for Prince Harry to Become Governor General of Canada?

The Canadian Monarchy in the Year Ahead

Leadership Races

The New Democrats

Polls

Royal Homecomings

Monarchy in New Brunswick

Monarchist League in New Brunswick

My Reply to John Boyko

Donald Booth Named Canadian Secretary to the Queen

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