Why is Canada still connected and beneath the crown of the UK?

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Karen C

"I would like to hear a damn good reason why!"

And who the devil are you to talk to us in that tone?
And what is it to you anyway? It's our country and it works better than any other country that I know of so take your crappy attitude and take a hike!

Edit to Charlie: I do not know the definitive answer to that but When Mr. Trudeau brought the Constitution home, that was the agreement made between Canada and Britain. I do not recall there being much flack from English Canadians about it, nor really from French Canadians. They had their demands true enough but they were more about keeping French Canada French than in changing the structure of the entire set up. And the Separatists of the day just wanted to separate and could not have cared less about what the rest of us did with the Queen or didn't do with her.
My attitude right now is, it ain't broke, it works fine so why waste money trying to fix it.

Jeff H

One must wonder why some people ask questions with such an insulting tone based upon no knowledge of Canada and how it is governed. If you are curious and want knowledge at least learn to be respectful of others. Be free of a monarch....sorry to disappoint you but in all aspects we are.

Canada is a member of the Commonwealth however the authority of the Queen is restricted to ceremonial duties and only at the invitation of the Government of Canada. Canada is subject to no one other than it's own elected officials just like all countries of the Commonwealth. Although, in theory, the Governor General of Canada and the respective Lieutenant Governor's of each province are the representative of the Queen their duties are mostly ceremonial in nature. They do have limited authority however it is only used in rare cases and the authority to act has been granted by the Government of Canada, not the Queen. In fact the individuals holding these offices are appointed by the Government of Canada.

Oh, and Charlie, basically, as stated in a previous answer, it is about tradition and all countries celebrate them in one way or another. We choose to remain a part of the Commonwealth and respect the Queen as head of it. It is our right and privelege to do so. The question itself has been answered as the Queen does not govern us, if you want to ask one for yourself go ahead.

The search for knowledge is the forerunner of wisdom but knowledge without repect is knowledge without wisdom. Without wisdom there can be no true growth.

NWIP

Canada is it's own country, the 2nd largest country in the world. Canada is a Commonwealth country in which there is an elected Prime Minister and Government. The Queen's representative is the Governor General and while she is the Queen of Canada, she really does nothing or has any power over Canada.

MasterPython

Queen of England and Queen of Canada are two unrelated jobs that happen to be held by the same person. So Canada is not controlled in any way by the British government. The British Parliament can't do anything that effect Canada just like the Canadian Parliament can't do anything that effects The UK or any other commonwealth country. Becoming a republic really has no advantage when the monarch lets elected politicians do all the decision making.

* from the Great White North*

o.0

ok you need to calm down.... and do a little more research about Canadian government and history.

The USA may not have a monarch but the treat the president god like...so what is the difference????

charlie.. the reason why I did not answer the question is because the original asker seems kind of rude in the way he asked. If you asked the question in the manner you did...you would of received very different answers. The Queen does not rule us...but even if she did why is he so upset about it?? We as a country are doing very well right now so we must be doing something right LOL!!
Canada it is own country... the Queen has no say...but we are part of the commonwealth . I could sit here all day trying to teach you about it all... best way is to do some reading about it on the net. I am sure no one could teach me all about american polictics in one answer on yahoo.

curicta85

check out year 1867 in canadian history and before asking?? a question like this read stuff about canada first.
And what's so great about USA? it's just a matter of time when it's gonna fall apart!

knh959

Canada is a completely independent nation. Canada is also a member of the "Commonwealth of Nations", a group of countries whose modern roots flow back to British settlement. As such the Queen is the figurehead leader of Canada. She holds the same distinction in countries like Australia, New Zealand and 50 other countries. Membership in the Commonwealth of Nations is voluntary and no nation is forced to be a member. In no way does membership in this organization diminish any one nation's independence. Rather, it ties nations and peoples together. The Queen takes absolutely NO active part in Canadian politics or government.

Get a life.

Matthew :O

Okay. Many things here. Yes the queen of England is our head of state, but she does not GOVERN us. You need to examine what you mean by "govern". She is nominally the head of the country, but she does not do anything with regards to the decisions made in the government of Canada or the UK, or Australia, New Zealand etc. It's not like she goes around in the royal carriage making decrees, having subjects kiss her feet, and saying "Off with his head!" The reason why the monarchy still exists, is that it would be too complicated nowadays to get rid of it. The queen does not have absolute power like Louis XIV. Parliament and the senate govern the country. Technically, bills receive "royal ascent". This means that the bill is passed, and the Governor General (who represents the queen in Canada, in her absence) says all right, good for you, we have a new legislation. The commonwealth countries are free countries that have modern, functional democracies, even though the head is a monarch. This is called a Constitutional or Parliamentary Monarchy. Other countries, like the Netherlands, Denmark, Japan, Belgum, Spain, Sweden, Luxembourg, and Norway all have monarchs, yes in the 21st centruy!!, have the same system, cerimonial monarchs, and they're just fine. Now, I'd say that I gave you quite a few "damn good reasons", so shut you arrogant american face and educate yourself!!

-maudits amÃ©ricans, ils ne peuvent pas comprendre pourquoi le monde leurs voyent comme les crÃ©tins arrogants!

Arctic Wolf

It`s about tradition,honour and loyalty,something you do not understand

chuckles951

The queen does not govern Canada. Or the UK for that matter. She is a figurehead that is there because the people seem to like it that way. SHe has no real power and is essentially self supporting anyway.

In a way it is just a way for Canada to maintain an identity different from the USA.

Besides, if you look at the covers of the tabloids in every American supermarket, you would swear the British royal family were still the royal family of the USA as well.

Caroline J

I think you better brush up on some history.

Given that England once owned almost half the world, it should come as no surprise that we still have the queen's face on our money. Canada IS it's own country; so is Australia, India, Sri Lanka, Singapore, New Zealand, etc. All these countries were formerly under British Rule. We still respect the queen. It doesn't mean she orders us around. We hear from her about once a year when she makes a speech. Big deal.

I take it you are from the US. Your original 13 colonies were British. Did you even know that. You treat your dead presidents like gods (Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, etc). We honor the British monarch who is alive today.

Your little rant is pathetic.

Charlie

I also wonder about this...I don't want to upset any Canadians, but I really wonder why. And no, Americans certainly do not treat the president like God! He does not "rule" for life, and is only one part of the 3 parts of gov't...the executive. legislative, and judicial. None of the Canadians who has answered so far has actually addressed the question. Why does an independent country want to remain "under" another country and have the head of that country as their leader (even if , and especially since, she has no real power)? Americans have real difficulty understanding the Commonwealth...and I would appreciate a genuine explanation.

slipstreamer

The Queen has no power. She is a tourist draw, that's it.

Okay, this is likely a teen or troll asking the question, the tone is very rude...but do you all really need to respond in kind and bash away at anything American? Is that your knee-jerk response?

Some of your views on Americans/America appear to be as stereotypical and lacking as the original question is in regard to the Canadian system.

Americans that live near the border tend to know a bit more about the Canadian government - but then again, most people only know the bare facts about the inner workings of others governments. Most adults get the whole figurehead thing - why else would everyone hold elections etc...? Monarchs worldwide are fairly powerless these days. Americans just traditionally distrust monarchies - it's part of our heritage.

And I doubt any country wants to be (or should be) judged by it's tabloids. Including Canada.

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