Category: Monarchist League Of Canada

Platinum Jubilee News

1/18/2022

We are officially in the 70th year of Her Majesty's reign.
While events won't likely get started till the summer I wanted
to go over what we know so far.

Event Funding

The Department of Canadian Heritage opened applications
for funding in November. I know that the manager of the
Albert County Museum applied for funding. Interestingly,
she stated that the window for applying for a grant was very
short. Whether it was abnormally short is not a question I
can answer.

Monarchist League of Canada Seal

The Monarchist League of Canada
has released its own seal to mark Her
Majesty's Platinum Jubilee. Mitch
Ramsay-Mader's design was chosen
from a number of submissions. Several
submissions had to be rejected as they
used elements such as the royal cypher
which are for the Queen's use alone.
Mitch explaining his design:

"The profile of Her Majesty with seven maple leaves - six in free fall and
one integrated into the 70 emblem - each representing a decade of Her
Majesty's reign. The maple leaf integrated into the 70 represents 70
years of service to Canada by Her Majesty. The emblem is designed in
Canada's national colours (granted by the Queen's grandfather, George
V) - red and white."

Mitch is originally from Nova Scotia but now resides in Her
Majesty's other realm of Australia.

The Platinum Jubilee Medal Saga

Since I last wrote on the efforts to have an official Platinum
Jubilee Medal program there has been some media attention:

It is probably worth noting that the original Platinum Jubilee
Medal article has been this blog's most commented on post
ever.

Efforts in Parliament continue with two tory MPs having
released a statement on January 13th:

Ottawa. January 13 – John Nater, Conservative Shadow Minister for Canadian
Heritage, and Pierre Paul-Hus, Conservative Shadow Minister for Public Services
and Procurement, are calling on the Liberal government to commission Queen
Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medals to celebrate the monarch’s 70th year as
Canada’s Head of State.

2022 marks a historic anniversary for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Seventy
years as Head of the Commonwealth and Canada’s Head of State is a remarkable
milestone that should be properly recognized and celebrated by the Government of
Canada. It is unacceptable that 2022 has already begun and the Department of
Canadian Heritage has not made any announcement regarding a Platinum Jubilee
Medal.

Should the Liberal government not proceed with the creation of a Queen Elizabeth
II Platinum Jubilee Medal, it would be the first time Canada failed to issue medals
for a jubilee. In 1977 and 2002, the Liberal governments of the day issued medals
for the sliver and golden jubilees. In 2012, the Conservative government issued the
Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.

To commemorate each jubilee, the Government of Canada awarded medals to
Canadians who made outstanding and exemplary contributions to their
communities or to Canada as a whole. During these unprecedented times, there is no shortage of Canadians deserving of recognition for their contributions to their communities and our country.

The Platinum Jubilee is not only a historic anniversary, but it is also an opportunity for the Liberal government to recognize Canadians. We believe that our front-line health care workers have shown remarkable courage and resilience throughout the last two years of the pandemic and deserve recognition for their service, courage, and sacrifice.

Canada’s Conservatives are calling on the Liberal government to take immediate action to commission Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medals and award medals to our front-line health workers who have stepped forward and answered the call. We believe their service should be formally acknowledged and the distribution of Platinum Jubilee Medals must go ahead without delay.

While great to see (especially from two MPs that hold critic
roles in their party) it is a bit of an opportunity missed. There
are MPs from many parties that agree with this statement and
such a bi-partisan statement would have had more impact.
Alas, perhaps partisanship in the House of Commons has
made such reasonable ideas impossible.

While efforts continue the usual timeline for these things is
becoming so compressed that I don't hold out much hope.

Loyally Yours,
A Kisaragi Colour

Platinum Jubilee Medal Update

10/31/2021

A few months back I detailed the efforts that were being
made to ensure a Platinum Jubilee Medal would be issued in
2022. This is a small update on how efforts are going.

The Monarchist League of Canada continues to have talks
with officials and is encouraging its members to reach out to
their MPs. A response from Canadian Heritage was received:

"The decision to create a medal is under the Prime Minister’s purview, and no
direction has been given thus far.
In Canada, commemorative medals are struck from time to time to mark
important anniversaries and are usually managed by the Chancellery of Honours
at Rideau Hall.
Currently, the UK is the only Commonwealth realm that has announced plans to
create a Platinum Jubilee medal.
One of the ways the government of Canada will invite Canadians to participate in
the Platinum Jubilee celebrations will be through funding in support of community-
based projects that will mark this historic milestone and offer Canadians an
opportunity to learn about the role of the Crown in Canada. PCH expects to launch
this funding initiative on November 1, 2021.
Canada looks forward to celebrating Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee throughout
2022 and planning is well underway. A series of initiatives to mark the Queen’s
remarkable 70 years of service to our country will be announced in due course.
Thanks again for reaching out and I hope this helps!"

Interestingly, the League also learned, quite by accident, that
a design for the medal has been completed but is under media
embargo. Why the government would delay the release of the
medal's design for so long is unknown.

MP Cheryl Gallant's petition on this matter closed on August
7th with 1826 signatures.

It is possible that the government is just waiting for the right
time to announce the creation of the jubilee medal but until
we know more the safest course is to continue bringing up the
issue with elected officials.

Loyally Yours,
A Kisaragi Colour

Will Canada issue a Platinum Jubilee Medal in 2022?

6/30/2021

2002 Gold Jubilee Medal

The year 2022 will mark the Queen's
70th year on the throne of Canada. It
is customary for medals marking a
jubilee to be given out to deserving
Canadians during the jubilee year.
However, it was learned earlier this
year that no such medal is planned
to be issued for the Queen's Platinum
Jubilee. This is made all the more
unfortunate by the pandemic having
produced a long list of people who
are deserving of special recognition
of the type a periodic medal would
be well-suited to provide.

Timeline of Events

April 9th: Before this decision became public knowledge a
petition was already being posted on the House of Commons
website by MP Cheryl Gallant.
April 29th: Chairman Finch of the Monarchist League of
Canada informed the membership that he has learned there
are no plans for a platinum jubilee medal. A call for a letter
writing campaign was made at this time.
May 14th: Chairman Finch posted an update noting he has
had several good conversations with various individuals, in
and out of public life.
May 19th: NDP MP Daniel Blaikie called one League
member stating he was surprised to learn no medal was being
considered and noting, "I've known many that have received
the Diamond Jubilee Medal and it was a wonderful
encouragement to them."
May 29th: The League released a simple infopic for posting
to social media:

June 13th: Two League members shared excepts from their
conversations with their MPs. They were MPs Nelly Shin and
Michael Chong and both expressed support for, at the very
least, a platinum jubilee medal.
June 16th: Chairman Finch provided an update on the fight.
The government was reviewing the costs associated with the
issuing of a jubilee medal. It was also revealed several
premiers had been privately advocating for the medal.
June 19th: Monarchist League details the social media reach
of a single League member. Currie Dixon, the Leader of the
Official Opposition in the Yukon Legislature thanked the
League for its efforts and informed them Motion 77, urging
the federal government to issue a platinum jubilee medal, had
been added to the order paper.
June 28th: A League member in Ontario was thanked for his
letter writing campaign which has seen hundreds of letters go
out.

And this is where the jubilee medal campaign stands today. It
is possible with MPs returning home for the summer and the
pandemic restrictions lifting it will be easier to do the sort of
in-person advocacy that greatly benefits these sorts of
endeavors.

Loyally Yours,
A Kisaragi Colour

The New Brunswick Branch of the Monarchist League of Canada once again has Vice-Regal Patronage

2/27/2021

I mentioned back in October, 2018 that I had been named
chairman of the New Brunswick Branch of the Monarchist
League of Canada. 2019 was a good year with contacts being
reestablished, educational materials distributed to a few
schools in south-east New Brunswick, and a Victoria Day
luncheon in Fredericton for the membership to discuss
priorities going forward. And then the pandemic threw a
wrench into efforts to put those priorities into practice in
2020. The only progress made that year was to double the
number of people liking the Branch's Facebook page as more
people retreated inside and online.

At the back of my mind there was one loose end that needed
to be addressed at some point. Before the departure of Barry
MacKenzie the branch had been granted the honour of having the Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick agree to be the
branch patron. However, so much time had gone by that I
felt this relationship should be renewed.

With 2021 looking somewhat easier to predict I went to work
tying up this loose end. I can report that earlier this month
Lieutenant Governor Brenda Murphy graciously agreed to
renew the relationship between the New Brunswick Branch
and Her Honour. An except from the letter delivered to me:

Her Honour, The Honourable Brenda L. Murphy, ONB, Lieutenant
Governor of New Brunswick has asked me to thank you for the request
for Her Honour to grant her patronage to the New Brunswick Branch of
the Monarchist League of Canada.

Her Honour would be most pleased to lend the support of her office to
your very worthwhile organization and looks forward to serving as
your Patron. On Her Honour’s behalf, I always welcome the
opportunity to discuss how the Lieutenant Governor might participate
in your activities.

The Lieutenant Governor appreciates being kept informed about
changes within her various patronage organizations. Thank you for the
information that you included in your email of November 2020. I would
ask that you continue to forward your organization’s annual report, financial statements and any other relevant documents for our files as
they become available. This task can be completed electronically or by
reference to a website, as you have done.

We look forward to our ongoing relationship with the Monarchist
League of Canada, NB Branch.

Her Honour was also kind enough to send along a video with a message of encouragement for the branch membership.

While in-person events are still a no-go the Branch will be
more active in the coming year than the previous one.

Loyally Yours,
A Kisaragi Colour

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

2/17/2020

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

Donald Booth Named Canadian Secretary to the Queen

11/15/2019

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

New Brunswick Branch of the Monarchist League of Canada gets a new Chairman... Me?

10/23/2018

During the recent provincial election
(which I took part in) I was offered the
position of Chairman of the New
Brunswick branch of the Monarchist
League of Canada. The branch had
been sadly inactive since 2015 when
Barry MacKenzie stepped down as
chairman.

Barry left a void and it could not be easily filled. Earlier this
year the League finally put out a call for volunteers to help
rebuild the New Brunswick branch. I volunteered and figured
I could be of use to whoever they decided to put in charge of
rebuilding efforts. Imagine my surprise when that person
turned out to be me.

When I received the offer over the summer I initially sent
back an email refusing the position. My intention to run in
the election and the time investment in various other projects
left me doubting I could give it my 100% best effort. As fate
would have it my email was never delivered and I was
contacted again about leading the rebuilding efforts while I
was campaigning in the election.

This time I gave it a bit more thought and decided I would try
it. There was several other volunteers so things wouldn't fall
all on my shoulders. With that and a few other minor
concerns dealt with I accepted the position.

There is a lot of room to grow League efforts in the province
and my long term goals are as follows:
-Having annual events in all three major cities in NB.
-Increasing membership among Acadians.
-Putting the NB Branch on steady footing for the future.
An ambitious calendar of activities and initiatives is being
drawn up for the coming year. Stay tuned!

Loyally Yours,
A Kisaragi Colour

Trudeau's Recent Defence of Monarchy and how it Could be Better

6/29/2018

On Wednesday Prime Minister
Justin Trudeau attended a
youth forum in Toronto where
he was asked about the value of
Canada being a monarchy. His
answer raises some questions.

The recording of the youth forum is available on CPAC with
the relevant section starting at the one hour mark: "What are
your thoughts on monarchy? And also, do you see us freeing
ourselves from paying the English Royal Family taxes in the
future?" Now, this is pedantic but since it comes up so much
I will again note that there is no 'English Royal Family' as
there is no government of England for there to be a royal
family of. It would be more correct to say the 'British Royal
Family', or even the 'Jamaican Royal Family', but in the
Canadian context it is most correct to say the 'Canadian Royal
Family' or simply the 'Royal Family' (since I think most
people will get what you mean). If I were a bit more cynical I
would assume the question is framed this way to deny the
Royal Family's legitimacy as a Canadian institution or to
imply it only matters to one of Canada's ethnic groups. But I
digress.

Trudeau's answer goes off the rails immediately, however.
"Canadians pay minimal amounts to the British Monarchy.
When the Queen is here she becomes the Queen of Canada
and there are costs associated with that." As I was about to
facepalm at the reference to paying taxes to the British
Monarchy Trudeau goes a step further and states that the
Queen somehow only becomes Queen of Canada when she is
here. That is false and Trudeau ought to know it is false. But
I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt since its the
last question of an hour-long Q&A session. He does point out
that he doesn't think eliminating the monarchy is an effective
cost saving measure. Ok, that answer was a little rough
around the edges but he might do better as he goes on.

"The question needs to be; do we need to eliminate the
monarchy from Canada in order to succeed more as a
country? Is the monarchy holding us back in things we
would like to do but are unable to do and succeed as a
country?" He then answers that he is a pragmatic in that he
doesn't see what benefits having a Canadian-born head of
state would bring. He then goes into the more standard
argument that having a head of state that does not involve
themselves politically is a good thing. He touches on how the monarchy's setup today is a tradition going back 150 years
and if we started up a new country today called Canada we
might choose to not have a head of state that lives in a
different country (interestingly he doesn't say he believes we
wouldn't choose to have a monarchy again).

"It isn't harming us or preventing our success." If you want to
listen to the full answer Justin Trudeau gave the link is at the
top of the article. Lets be clear, his answer was an argument
for Canada remaining a monarchy and I will give him credit
for that. But as the Monarchist League of Canada has
pointed out Trudeau seemed to rely more on negative
arguments for the monarchy's defence (ie. arguing against
change rather than arguing for monarchy in its own right).

This is unfortunate as there are a lot of positive arguments for
monarchy. People have made those arguments. Prominent Canadians have made those arguments throughout our
history. It shouldn't be too much to expect our prime minister
to be able to make a positive case for not only keeping our
monarchy but celebrating it.

Perhaps more worrying is his final statements that future
leaders might decide to ending the monarchy is important. If
he made that statement at any other event I wouldn't raise an
eyebrow. But this was a youth forum which presumably has
those future leaders Trudeau was referring to. Was this
statement added in to encourage them to pursue this? I don't
know but the Prime Minister's answers should raise concern.

Loyally Yours,
A Kisaragi Colour

Just a Pamphlet I Found

3/8/2018

While leaving the Riverview Public
Library I happened to notice a pamphlet
with 'Monarchy' in bright red type (ok,
that was a lie. I noticed the Queen's
image first). The pamphlet was put out by
the Monarchist League of Canada and
gives a good, although brief, overview of
Canada's monarchy. As far as I can tell
the League doesn't count this pamphlet
among its publications or resources on
its website. I will come back to this point
later.

The cover image is from the Queen's last
royal tour of Canada in 2010.

The body of the pamphlet is divided into five sections.

The Canadian Monarchy - An overview of the Crown's
history and the benefits of a non-partisan and hereditary head
of state. The image at the top is of the Queen and a Mountie
looking at something out of frame. Both are serious and I find
the image to be an effective one.

The Queen Speaks To Canadians - A selection of four
quotes by Her Majesty intended to illustrate her role as head
of state. The picture at the top is of Prince Charles and a First
Nation's chief. While it doesn't match the text below it the
importance of underlining the Crown's long friendship with
the First Nations makes it a good picture to place there.

Learning About The Canadian Crown - This section
talks about the League website and what resources it has. The
image at the top is of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge
with Prince George. Taken together the images running along
the top show the current monarch and three generations of
heirs.

The last two sections are French translations of the first and
third sections. There is a bit of unused space that could have
been used for another picture. It is also unfortunate we
couldn't have a section with Her Majesty quoted in French
(since she is fluent).

The pamphlets are clearly recent. But the lack of information
on the League's website makes it unclear if they are sent out
to members by request, come as part of an education package,
or are sent out to libraries/public officials. It might be an
interesting idea to include a printable version on the website.
The advantage of pamphlets is that they can be placed just
about anywheres. Allowing members to print them off
themselves would increase the range of the pamphlets. Sure,
you lose the glossy finish but I think they would look good
regardless.

Loyally Yours,
A Kisaragi Colour

Republican Resolution Submitted to the 2018 NDP Policy Convention

2/14/2018

The New Democratic Party of Canada is holding its policy
convention this weekend in Ottawa. The Monarchist
League of Canada was tipped off that a resolution has been
submitted for debate on ending the Canadian monarchy:

The League has been told that there is a good chance the
resolution will not even be considered (which is standard for
conventions with large numbers of policy suggestions).
However the League has suggested two courses of action to its
members. 1. Contact convention delegates to express concern
about the resolution and 2. Write a polite letter to the NDP's
leader Jagmeet Singh to state support for the crown and
opposition to the position in the above resolution.

Trouble-making during policy conventions is nothing new
(the Liberal Party had a similar motion come up at their
policy convention years ago which was voted down). However,
after an extremely disappointing result in the last election and
a growing feeling that the NDP has traded its principles for a
shot at power it is not inconceivable that this resolution could
pass as a sort of 'feel good gesture'. That is assuming it comes
up for a vote at all.

This motion comes on the heels of of Jagmeet Singh making
clear he is less than supportive of the monarchy. It is
possible some members proposed this motion in the hope
that Mr. Singh would be more inclined to support it than
previous leaders. It is a disappointing development which
may yet come to nothing. Stay tuned.

UPDATE: Several members of the Monarchist League's
youth wing successfully blocked the resolution at the policy
panel stage. It will not be debated during the plenary sessions.

Loyally Yours,
A Kisaragi Colour

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