While I have been posting news about the activities of the Young Monarchists of Canada for a while now I have neglected to explain exactly who they are and what they do. To rectify this I recently caught up with Neil MacAlasdair and interviewed him concerning the group's purpose and activities.
A Kisaragi Colour: For those who don't know, who are The Young Monarchists and what is your role with them?
Neil MacAlasdair: The Young Monarchists are the youth wing of The Monarchist League of Canada, the national organisation that seeks to educate Canadians regarding the Crown in Canadian life, and advocate on its behalf in communities across Canada. Steven [Uren] is the chairman of the YM's, and I am the vice-chairman. We co-ordinate all the activities of the YM's across the country, and undertake various projects aimed at educating young people about the Canadian Monarchy.
Neil MacAlasdair: The Young Monarchists are the youth wing of The Monarchist League of Canada, the national organisation that seeks to educate Canadians regarding the Crown in Canadian life, and advocate on its behalf in communities across Canada. Steven [Uren] is the chairman of the YM's, and I am the vice-chairman. We co-ordinate all the activities of the YM's across the country, and undertake various projects aimed at educating young people about the Canadian Monarchy.
AKC: How did this group come to be formed?
NM: The Young Monarchists were formed about 15 years ago, when the league's website (monarchist.ca) went up, and significant numbers of young people began joining the league. Due to the size of the country and how expensive national communication was previously, however, we have only really been active in the past 6-7 years.
NM: The Young Monarchists were formed about 15 years ago, when the league's website (monarchist.ca) went up, and significant numbers of young people began joining the league. Due to the size of the country and how expensive national communication was previously, however, we have only really been active in the past 6-7 years.
AKC: Recently The Young Monarchists put together a number of short videos promoting itself and the monarchy. Was this the group's first project?
NM: The Video project was certainly the first videos the Young Monarchists have put together, and, to my knowledge, the first films the league has ever made about itself. YM's have certainly undertaken previous projects, however, like our successive poster campaigns, the first of which was last spring. Since Steven and I took over just over a year ago now, we've also had a number of pub nights at various centres of YM activity.
NM: The Video project was certainly the first videos the Young Monarchists have put together, and, to my knowledge, the first films the league has ever made about itself. YM's have certainly undertaken previous projects, however, like our successive poster campaigns, the first of which was last spring. Since Steven and I took over just over a year ago now, we've also had a number of pub nights at various centres of YM activity.
AKC: There is a certain perception that young Canadians are not interested in the monarchy. What kind of reaction do you generally get on college campuses?
NM: Undoubtedly, the most common reaction we get on campuses is curiosity. Most students are simply surprised to learn that there is an organisation dedicated to promoting and educating people about the monarchy on campus.
NM: Undoubtedly, the most common reaction we get on campuses is curiosity. Most students are simply surprised to learn that there is an organisation dedicated to promoting and educating people about the monarchy on campus.
AKC: What do you think is the widely-held misconception about the monarchy in Canada?
NM: I think undoubtedly the most widely-held misconception in Canada with regard to the Monarchy is that somehow 'The Queen of England' (a title that doesn't even exist anymore) somehow 'rules' Canada, and that we need to "become fully independent" by becoming a republic. While there are others, like people confusing the GG for the head of state, none seem as prevalent and plainly incorrect as thinking that Canada is not a fully independent country whose head of state is the Queen of Canada.
NM: I think undoubtedly the most widely-held misconception in Canada with regard to the Monarchy is that somehow 'The Queen of England' (a title that doesn't even exist anymore) somehow 'rules' Canada, and that we need to "become fully independent" by becoming a republic. While there are others, like people confusing the GG for the head of state, none seem as prevalent and plainly incorrect as thinking that Canada is not a fully independent country whose head of state is the Queen of Canada.
AKC: Is the group planning anything for the immediate future?
NM: We are hoping to have a card distribution campaign across campuses where we have representation across Canada. We're also hoping to produce another video, in French, about the league.
NM: We are hoping to have a card distribution campaign across campuses where we have representation across Canada. We're also hoping to produce another video, in French, about the league.
I would like to thank Neil for taking the time to answer my questions and I wish the group all the best in the coming years.
Loyally Yours,
A Kisaragi Colour
Loyally Yours,
A Kisaragi Colour
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