SooToday received the following letter about Mayor Matthew Shoemaker's refusal to hang king's portrait in council chambers
Dear Editor,
As Canada continues to reflect on its national identity especially with the growing threat from the United States, we must remember what unites us. One of the enduring pillars of our unity and stability is the Canadian monarchy. Far from being outdated, our constitutional monarchy is a modern, effective system that upholds both our democratic principles and rich traditions.
Canada’s roots in the monarchy date back to the reign of King James I and the early settlements in Newfoundland in 1608. The Crown stood with us during the American invasions of 1776 and 1812 and oversaw our evolution into a self-governing dominion under Queen Victoria. With the patriation of the Constitution in 1982, Canada gained full constitutional independence while maintaining the monarchy as a vital, uniquely Canadian institution.
What sets a constitutional monarchy apart is the stability it provides. The monarch serves as a non-partisan symbol of national unity standing above the political fray. Their role is not to govern but to ensure that democratic rules and institutions are respected. Around the world, the highest performers on the Democracy Index are constitutional monarchies. Sweden, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Japan, and New Zealand consistently outperform the United States and many other republican forms of government in terms of democratic strength and governance. The reason for this success is the clear separation between the Head of State and the Head of Government, which helps maintain political neutrality at the highest levels of the state and prevents the concentration of power.
Critics may call the monarchy foreign or outdated, but the Canadian Crown is distinct from the British monarchy in both law and function. It is deeply embedded in our Constitution, armed forces, and citizenship oath. It affirms that tradition and democracy can coexist and thrive.
When His Majesty visits Canada later this month, it will be a celebration of our Constitutional Parliamentary Democracy, showcasing Canada’s rich traditions and reminding us of what makes us truly Canadian. From Parliament Hill to Queen's Park and in our Crown treaties with Indigenous Canadians, the monarchy is woven into the fabric of our national identity.
It is disappointing that Mayor Shoemaker still chooses not to display the King’s portrait, a small but meaningful gesture that shows respect for the institution that underpins our constitutional democracy.
Sincerely,
Joshua Vierimaa
Sault Ste. Marie