Conservative Party Leadership Race: Views on the Monarchy

For a while now I have been emailing the various leadership
candidates for the Conservative Party of Canada to ascertain
their views on the monarchy. I have already posted individual
articles on some of the candidates. This post is to function as
a sort of index and supplement to the other articles. Now,
without further delay let us take a good look at what the tory
​leadership candidates think about the Canadian monarchy. 

The Emailed Question & Responses

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

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

Kellie Leitch
Maxime Bernier
Michael Chong
Tony Clement (Withdrew From Race)
Deepak Obhrai
Brad Trost
Pierre Lemieux
Adrienne Snow (Withdrew From Race)
Dan Lindsay (Withdrew From Race)
Andrew Scheer
Chris Alexander
Erin O'Toole
Rick Peterson
Andrew Saxton
Steven Blaney
Lisa Raitt
Kevin O'Leary

Five Crown Scoreboard

Here I have ranked the candidates support for the monarchy.
Keep in mind this is only my assessment and your mileage
may vary. Also, note that changes may occur as the campaign goes on. The score is out of five crowns with each candidate
receiving one crown for stating support for the monarchy in
their reply, one crown for having defended the monarchy in
Parliament, two crowns for outlining how they would improve
the monarchy's role in the future, and one crown for having
spoken in support of the monarchy outside of Parliament. 

Maxime Bernier

Mr. Bernier's score suffered mostly
due to how little he has said publicly
about the monarchy. While I don't
think he supports republicanism I
can't say more beyond that. 

Score:

Tony Clement

Mr. Clement gave a better reply to my
email but like Mr. Bernier has had
little to say about the monarchy since
being elected.

Score:

Michael Chong

Mr. Chong was both supportive of the
monarchy in his reply and has spoken
favourably about it in Parliament.

Score:

Kellie Leitch

Ms. Leitch's response is on par with
that of Tony Clement but I have more
doubts about her support for the
​Crown.

Score:

Chris Alexander

A good chunk of Mr. Alexander's
score comes from his support of a
Canadian coronation ceremony. His
lack of time in Parliament indirectly
lowered his score though.

Score:

Pierre Lemieux

Like several other candidates Mr.
Lemieux has had little to say about
the monarchy outside of his reply to
me.

Score:

Deepak Obhrai

Mr. Obhrai has expressed support for
the monarchy both in his reply and in
​Parliament. Has grown to appreciate
​the monarchy over time.

Score:

Andrew Saxton

As with several other candidates Mr.
Saxton stated his support for the
monarchy in his reply but has had
little else to say on the issue. 

Score:

Rick Peterson

Mr. Peterson's score partly reflects
how little time he has had in public
life.

Score:

Brad Trost

Mr. Trost's reply had some meat to it
but was otherwise typical of the
replies received so far.

Score:

Lisa Raitt

Mrs. Raitt's has replied stating her
​support for the monarchy.

Score:

Erin O'Toole

Mr. O'Toole has stated strong support
for the monarchy both in his
statement and in public.

Score:

Andrew Scheer

Mr. Scheer gave a very good reply and
has stated a desire to better educate
Canadians on the role of the
monarchy.

Score:

Loyal Quotes

"The Queen is our head of state. The Governor General is her
representative here and should remain as such. A sort of
republicanism by stealth has been orchestrated over the last
number of years in this country. We need to be very careful
about not going down that path."
~Michael Chong, 2005

"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."
​~Erin O'Toole, 2017

_______________________________________

I would like to thank all of the candidates for getting back to
me. While I might disagree at times with the replies I receive
it is at least good to know that politicians still take the time
to reply to ordinary Canadians.

Loyally Yours,
A Kisaragi Colour