A constitutional monarchy is a state system in which the monarch’s power does not dominate the power structure, and the monarch does not have supreme authority. A parliamentary monarchy is a variant of this type of government.. Canada belongs to a parliamentary monarchy: the two houses of parliament are the Senate and the House of Commons (Senate of Canada n.d.). Under current conditions, it does not make sense for Canada to remain a constitutional monarchy.
First, the question of what Canada’s state apparatus will be in the future is regulated by the current British government. The death of Queen Elizabeth II raises the problem that the Canadian community does not perceive King Charles III. The Queen was a significant and respected figure with a governmental and public policy role. So far, the King does not have the same potential and support, and the consequence may be minimal public support for the current system. In the Ipsos study (2022), only 11% of respondents say they fully support the monarchical system and the King. Additionally, 21% of respondents indicate that the British monarchy’s colonial past casts a shadow over Canadian society and its independence (Ipsos, 2022). Consequently, in the context of the death of Elizabeth II and the new King, support for the constitutional monarchy in the future may decrease as much as possible, and the continuation of the monarchy would negatively affect Canada’s status as a nation.
Secondly, attention must be paid to how Canada’s parliament is currently performing its functions. According to the official website of the Canadian Senate, it consists of 105 people who “suggest improvements and correct mistakes” (Senate of Canada n.d.). Parliament performs its functions based on party discipline, which is questioned because of excessive lobbying (Chapter 19). Party discipline also raises questions about whether government decisions are honest and democratic (Chapter 20). In addition, the political path of government representatives is tart due to the lack of additional regulation of election to parliamentary offices. The Philpot and Wilson-Raybould case confirm that democracy as an instrument is not fully applicable in the current environment because criticism is not available (Chapter 19). The problems in the House of Commons or the Senate are not fully publicized, so credibility is not maintained (Chapter 21). Once again, there is the question of whether Canada is independent and honest in its democratic tenets.
There is a problem with what parliament is and why it raises many questions from the public. Beyond the brutality of party discipline and the bending of ministers to a decision, individual members of parliament have virtually no weight (Chapter 21). Their opinions play a limited role and are seldom presented, thus leading to the legitimate question of whether a vote exists and is by the constitution. Question periods and open debate occur in limited numbers (Chapter 21). In the context of the cruelty of party discipline and the power of the Cabinet, too few free votes did carry weight.
Preserving constitutional monarchy in Canada is a matter of time for some reasons. The level of support for the new King Charles III is not high enough for the Cabinet and the population to perceive him as a power. The Senate and the House of Commons are subject to excessive lobbying and restrictions on freedom of expression by liberal independents. Finally, the brutality of party discipline and restrictions on free votes leads to excessive Cabinet power.
References
“Chapter 19: The Executive”. Poli 1102 Week 11. n.d.
“Chapter 20: The Bureaucracy: Functions and Powers of the Bureaucracy”. Poli 1102 Week 12. n.d.
“Chapter 21: Canada’s Parliament”. Poli 1102 Week 12. n.d.
Ipsos. 2022. “Canadians Conflicted on Future Role of Monarchy as Half (54%) Say Canada Should End Ties to Monarchy”. Ipsos. Web.
Senate of Canada. n.d. About. Senate of Canada. Web.