Category: Victoria Day

Happy Victoria Day

5/23/2022

A redditor was kind enough to share a video of the fireworks
display put on yesterday evening at Dow's Lake, Ottawa.

As per personal tradition I treated my coworkers to birthday
cake on Saturday (per company policy everyone must work
that day so no one misses out).

I hope everyone has a great Victoria Day (whatever the
weather).

Loyally Yours,
A Kisaragi Colour

Evolution of the Right to Encourage

5/18/2020

Walter Bagehot was a contemporary of Queen Victoria having
been born after, and died before, the long-lived queen. And
while Queen Victoria was the one who set about creating a
greater symbolic role for the monarchy going forward, it
was Walter Bagehot who codified the monarchy's political
role. Now, Mr. Bagehot would likely object that he was only
observing what was already falling into place but in the years
since his death The English Constitution has been
studied by every heir to the throne as to what their role should
be. In physics there is a theory that the mere act of observing
a phenomenon inevitably changes that phenomenon. And in
this instance it holds true of political science as well. Walter
Bagehot observed that:

To state the matter shortly, the sovereign has, under a constitutional monarchy
such as ours, three rights — the right to be consulted, the right to encourage,
the right to warn. And a king of great sense and sagacity would want no others.
He would find that his having no others would enable him to use these with
singular effect. He would say to his minister: “The responsibility of these measures
is upon you. Whatever you think best must be done. Whatever you think best shall
have my full and effectual support. But you will observe that for this reason and
that reason what you propose to do is bad; for this reason and that reason what
you do not propose is better. I do not oppose, it is my duty not to oppose; but
observe that I warn.” Supposing the king to be right, and to have what kings often
have, the gift of effectual expression, he could not help moving his minister. He
might not always turn his course, but he would always trouble his mind. In the
course of a long reign a sagacious king would acquire an experience with which
few ministers could contend. The king could say: “Have you referred to the
transactions which happened during such and such an administration, I think
about fourteen years ago? They afford an instructive example of the bad results
which are sure to attend the policy which you propose. You did not at that time take
so prominent a part in public life as you now do, and it is possible you do not fully
remember all the events. I should recommend you to recur to them, and to discuss
them with your older colleagues who took part in them. It is unwise to recommence
a policy which so lately worked so ill.”

Walter Bagehot

Of the three rights Bagehot ascribes to
a constitutional monarch the first and
third have little changed from his day.
But I feel the second right, the right to
encourage, has slowly transformed. So,
slowly in fact that it was only with the
recent pandemic that factors led me to
notice it. What was once a right to
encourage politicians has become a
right to encourage the greater public.

Walter Bagehot would not have thought such a change
possible, or perhaps even desirable. His well-known contempt
of the political, and even rational, abilities of the lower classes
created blinders to such an expansion of the right to
encourage. At the same time technology did not yet allow the
expansion of this right with radio and television still in their
infancy. And finally, the character of Queen Victoria herself
did not allow it to expand as for much of her reign she shut
herself away from the people.

But what exactly am I referring to? In the quoted section
above Bagehot notes that a monarch can encourage a prime
minister to refer to events that occurred during previous
administrations, ask them to consult with the older men who
experienced those events, and suggest actions that might be
better. During the conference in London to finalize Canadian
Confederation Queen Victoria made use of her right when she
told John A. Macdonald that “I am very glad to see you
on this mission. It is a very important measure and
you have all exhibited so much loyalty.” This is the
right to encourage as traditionally defined.

My first suspicion that a change has occurred without anyone
really commenting on it was the Queen's recent broadcast to
the UK and the Commonwealth:

Here we had the Queen both encouraging people to do their
part during the pandemic and encouraging (in the sense of
comforting) those who were having a hard time during it. It is
not about legislation but instead advocating people do what is
right.

The Queen's decision to record an Easter message (a first in
her long reign) again functioned to encourage people to
practice social distancing and to instill hope for the future:

But looking back such encouragements are a common thread
throughout the Queen's Christmas messages as well. It would
seem that as the monarchy has taken on a more public role
the right to encourage has expanded in scope with it. The
Queen did not start this expansion (that distinction belongs to
her father) but her long reign has cemented its new form as a
prerogative of the Crown. Current events have simply made such encouragement more necessary. Her Majesty seems to
be everywheres in recent months. Her Covid-19 address was
accompanied by a special note for Canada. The New
Zealand Prime Minister was also surprised by a phone call
from Her Majesty. Of the videos that have been released only
the VE address was previously planned.

Some claim that the monarchy needs to evolve (without ever
really stating how) but miss the fact that the monarchy is a
living institution that has always been evolving to meet the
needs of its people. The expansion of the right to encourage is
necessary because politicians are bad at encouraging people
to follow rules. The respect people once held for elected
officials just isn't there to the degree it once was.

But let me switch gears before I sign off and note that in some
provinces restrictions start loosening tomorrow. Be sensible
with the increased freedom and have a Happy Victoria Day.

Loyally Yours,
A Kisaragi Colour

Victoria Day Odds & Ends

5/21/2019

The Victoria Day long weekend was somewhat busier than
normal this year. There was also some news I wanted to touch
on that didn't warrant their own posts.

Cake from last year. This year's cake was eaten too quick!

As in previous years I
treated my coworkers
to cake on Saturday. I
also had the chance on
Friday to listen in on
some of the newer hires
talking positively about
the Royal Family.

Scott Morrison

On Saturday I learned that Australian
Prime Minister Scott Morrison, leader
of the right-leaning Liberal/National
Coalition, had won the election over
Bill Shorten of the Labor Party. Bill
Shorten has since resigned as leader.
From a strict monarchist perspective
the end of Mr. Shorten's leadership is
welcomed. He had proposed a binding
plebiscite on the future of the monarchy if he won (followed
by a referendum on the specific type of republic to be
adopted). His defeat makes this plan much less likely to
happen. Especially as Prime Minister Scott Morrison has
declared himself to be a monarchist. This would be a
good time for Australian monarchists in the Labor Party to
start encouraging a leadership candidate more friendly to the
Australian Monarchy to step forward.

Photo Credit: Booking.com

On Victoria Day I hosted a meeting
of the New Brunswick branch of the
Monarchist League of Canada in
Fredericton at the Maverick Room
(pictured). I had re-activated the
branch in October of last year
following a two year hiatus that
resulted from the previous chairman
stepping down. Despite the rainy weather we had ten people
show up. After a brief update on the branch's status and a
social time over dinner we discussed what initiatives we
should pursue as a branch going forward. One new member
was signed up at the meeting and a good time was had by all.

An interesting post showed up on the
Monarchists Facebook page stating that the
UK pressure group Republic no longer has a
functioning organization. The investigation
of this claim does provide some solid
evidence that something is wrong. This year
only three press releases have gone out. This
is paltry when compared to previous years. Their social media has likewise been much reduced in volume. This kind of
slowdown can often be attributed to a lack of volunteers
which stems from a demotivated base. However, the
slowdown does coincide with executive board elections held at
the start of the year so internal conflicts can't be ruled out.
The organization still exists but if it can't find a new strategy
beyond being snarky killjoys they are doomed.

I hope everyone had an enjoyable Victoria Day (whatever the
weather might have been).

Loyally Yours,
A Kisaragi Colour

Blog Update: New Initiatives

5/21/2018

Happy Victoria Day everyone!

This blog is now fours years old. Some goals that this blog set
when it was first started have been reached while others could
use a renewed focus in order to achieve. But overall, it is in
good shape.

There has been a three year gap in these blog updates so it is
perhaps necessary to talk about where this blog is going in the
near future.

Hiring a summer student
One good thing to come out of the controversy surrounding
the federal government's attestation requirement for summer
job grants is that it got me thinking about the possibility of
hiring a summer writing position for the blog. Initial inquiries
have been promising and we may be able to hire a student for
the 2019 summer season.

A Kisaragi Colour is slacking off
At this point in time some may be noticing a decline in post
frequency. This is due to A Kisaragi Colour (who writes the
vast majority of posts) having thrown his hat into the ring to
win a seat in the upcoming New Brunswick provincial
election. As such there will be fewer posts until September
and potentially after.

Custom Logo
The way Weebly handles thumbnails on Facebook has never
been satisfactory. It essentially gives a choice of the pictures
in the blogs sidebar. This has led to the coat of arms of the
Monarchist League of Canada becoming this blog's de facto
thumbnail image. While a great organization, this blog would
prefer not to rely on the League for its graphics. As such an
effort will be made this summer to create a unique logo for
the blog.

Section Redesign
The Discussion Topic section never really worked as intended.
It has been redesigned and renamed the Special Projects
section. This will allow this website to better showcase its
advocacy roles.

Here is to hoping the next four years are even more successful
than the last four.

Loyally Yours,
The Maple Monarchists

Victoria Day Odds & Ends

5/22/2017

Queen Victoria at four years of age

Happy Victoria Day!

There is a few items I wanted to
cover this Victoria Day. The
Monarchist League of Canada
sent out an email on May 11th
with ideas for how to celebrate
Victoria Day with friends and
family. It is a good list. Myself,
I have the last two years treated
my coworkers to birthday cake.
It's a good way to inform people
that Victoria Day is also the
reigning monarch's birthday.

Former MP Brian Murphy took the occasion to write a mostly
positive tribute to the monarchy in the Times & Transcript on
Friday. I had a few small issues with the piece and will be
writing a reply but overall it was a welcome surprise.

On the subject of the media: I have noticed a certain tendency
towards using 'May Long Weekend' rather than referring to
Victoria Day itself. I'm inclined to believe this is one of those
time-saving measures used by the media rather than any sort
of effort to downplay Victoria Day.

Conservative Party Leadership Candidate Chris Alexander
sent out an email today. I have copied it below:

"Today we celebrate free institutions & the stability of monarchs.

Since Louis XIII (pictured below), the reigns of just six of them (including Louis XIV,
George III & Queen Victoria) account for almost three & a half centuries of
Canadian history. In Québec, today is the 'Journée nationale des patriotes' --
celebrating the struggle for national recognition, political freedoms & democracy.

All achieved under the Crown of Canada.

It's time to recognize the crown's role in our lives by:
- holding a coronation of our next monarch in Canada; &
- styling our country the Kingdom of Canada.

Without constitutional amendment, upheaval or drama.
With pomp, dignity & ceremony. For love of country.
To show what we're becoming -- our history & our potential.
These ideas for renewing the Crown of Canada are here.

Happy Victoria Day!"

The policy on having a Canadian coronation is one he told me
about when I met him at a candidates debate in Moncton. The
policy on styling Canada as a 'kingdom' is new to me though.

Finally, the month of May marks the 3rd anniversary of this
blog's founding. Hard to believe its been three years already.

Loyally Yours,
A Kisaragi Colour

Celebrating Victoria Day

5/23/2016

Happy Victoria Day!

This Victoria Day is special in that
it is also marks the official 90th
birthday of Queen Elizabeth II of
Canada.

The Monarchist League of Canada
has encouraged its members to
film themselves singing Happy
Birthday to Her Majesty to mark
the occasion. The Governor
General even joined in recently.

Victoria Day is a uniquely Canadian celebration. No other
member of the Commonwealth celebrates it. The date used to
move around a little bit since it was Queen Victoria's actual
birthday. It was eventually decided to fix the date to the
Monday before the 24th of May (the Queen's actual birth
date).

Canadians celebrate Victoria Day in a few different ways.
Some don't mark the occasion in any special way (although
even this can be an appropriate way of marking the
occasion). Firework displays have long been a part of Victoria
Day celebrations and continue to be a part of celebrations
in Canada today. As for myself...

...I treated my coworkers to birthday cake.

The month of May also marks this website's second birthday.
When I started I was unsure about how long it would last. I
wasn't even sure if I had the dedication to keep it regularly
updated. But two years in I am pleased with how things are
going.

Loyally Yours,
A Kisaragi Colour

Happy Victoria Day!

5/18/2015

Today is not only a day for celebrating the birthday of a long-dead monarch. Nor is it only our current monarch's official birthday. Today is for celebrating the Canadian monarchy itself. It is the foundation of our constitutional government, a guarantor of our liberties, an all-weather friend, and reminder of our responsibilities to the past & future.

While Canada Day has become a day to celebrate the greatness of Canada, I feel Victoria Day has become a day to celebrate the freedom of Canada. We live in a country were you can drive from one end to the other without the need to pass through a security checkpoint. A country where a trip to the camp by the lake for a weekend is not a bullet point in some secret government file. A country where you can be as completely irreverent towards Queen & Country as you damn well please and you won't be hauled off to a secret tribunal never to be seen again. Victoria Day is to me a time to reflect on the freedoms enjoyed under the sovereignty of the Maple Crown and to reflect on whether those freedoms are still secure.

Have a Happy Victoria Day,
A Kisaragi Colour

Victoria Day gathering, 1854

Happy Victoria Day

Evolution of the Right to Encourage

Victoria Day Odds & Ends

Blog Update: New Initiatives

Victoria Day Odds & Ends

Celebrating Victoria Day

Happy Victoria Day!

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