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作者：Youlicaca 在 驴鸣镇 发贴, 来自 http://www.hjclub.org
http://www.thestar.com/opinion/2009/05/14/its_time_canada_said_goodbye_to_the_queen.html
Opinion
It's time Canada said goodbye to the Queen
When Adrienne Clarkson suggested recently that Ottawa reform the office of governor general that she once held, she was voicing the opinion of many Canadians.
By: Bob Hepburn Politics, Published on Thu May 14 2009
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When Adrienne Clarkson suggested recently that Ottawa reform the office of governor general that she once held, she was voicing the opinion of many Canadians.
Clarkson proposed that, in future, Members of Parliament be given the power to formally approve or confirm the person nominated by the prime minister to be the Queen's representative in Canada.
Her comments sparked widespread debate among constitutional purists, British loyalists and long-time monarchists.
But Clarkson didn't go far enough. What she should have proposed was that Canada say goodbye to the Queen forever.
As we mark yet another Victoria Day holiday on Monday, Canadians should ask why we still have a "Queen of Canada" (yes, Elizabeth is officially our Queen), why we still tolerate being a constitutional monarchy with a foreign queen as our head of state, and why we cling to outdated and illogical practices such as having new immigrants swear or affirm loyalty to the Queen and her heirs.
In fact, growing numbers of Canadians are wondering those very things. Over the past 15 years, polls have repeatedly shown the majority of Canadians favour abolishing our ties to the monarchy.
Now, I fully understand that the Queen and the governor general are just figureheads whose powers are largely ceremonial.
But why do we even have that?
Victoria Day is the starkest reminder that we're still linked to the British monarchy. As a first step toward ending all ties to the monarchy, this outdated vestige of our colonial days should be renamed.
When I suggested last year that we get rid of Victoria Day and replace it with something that more accurately reflects Canada, I was swamped with letters and emails.
One columnist accused me and others who want to change the holiday name of "insolence" and of being "ignorant" and "ill-mannered."
Even the Star's editorial board disagreed with me, saying in a Victoria Day editorial, "on too few occasions do we celebrate our history. Today is one of them"
Actually, replacing the name Victoria Day with a name that better reflects Canadian history could result in raising awareness of our history much better than by honouring a foreign queen who died 108 years ago and never visited here.
For instance, we could call it Prime Ministers Day in honour of all our former leaders, just as Americans celebrate Presidents Day.
Others argued that we would be left without a head of state if we abolished Canada's ties to the monarchy, or that we would be forced to become a republic just like the United States, where the president is also the head of state.
Such arguments are baseless.
Most Commonwealth countries dropped their ties to the monarchy long ago without creating constitutional or political chaos. Most have a prime minister, who leads the elected government, and a president, who is the largely ceremonial head of state.
There are several ways to elect a head of state. For example, in India the president is elected by members of parliament and state legislatures. In Ireland, the president is directly elected by all voters.
Canada could safely choose either route. And if too many Canadians are upset over the title "president" because of its American connotations, then we could find a less controversial title.
Obviously, it will take a long time before Canada says goodbye to the Queen. The reason is that few of us care deeply about the issue and few politicians dare to rock the boat.
On the other hand, few Canadians care much about Victoria Day, the Queen or the monarchy.
That's because in the 21st century we are no longer a colony and the notion of being beholden, regardless of how slightly, to a foreign power is appalling.
It is, in short, time for the Queen to go.
Bob Hepburn's column appears Thursday. [email protected]
作者：Youlicaca 在 驴鸣镇 发贴, 来自 http://www.hjclub.org |
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