Canada works well

with setup as it is

If we think, we should think hard. Look at the mess the U.S. is in. Many years ago they broke away from an historically well-

organized advisory component.

Our monarchy, as you call it, is a massive information storehouse regarding the past and what we have today. Canada is now the finest country in the world. The system works. Why snivel around to change it?

The monarchy gives Canada an opportunity to be a major host to a friend at the cost of a cup of coffee (per person). Nope, I don’t think we should change what we have at present, at least not in our time.

Bert Robinson

Oak Bay

Prime minister’s face should bump Queen’s

Re: “Time to rethink monarchy’s role” (Editorial, Nov. 6)

I read in your newspaper according to the Monarchist League of Canada, Canada spends more than $50 million yearly to support the monarchy’s presence in Canada.

British citizens have forgotten how Camilla stole Prince Charles away from Diana in adultery.

I recall how much in love Charles and Diana were at their wedding. Any prime minister of Canada should be on our money, not the Queen.

Lynn Alisun

Victoria

Better to stick to

the devil we know

Since the beginning of history heads of state have been readily available in an infinite variety of types and sizes with qualities ranging from sublime to homicidal down to today’s brand of incontinent and divisive quackers.

The strange anachronism ‘constitutional monarchy’ seems to have survived well in many of the more advanced and civilized countries and Canada is to be congratulated for sticking to that system. It is clearly the most effective, the least divisive and certainly the most economical so far devised.  

Can you imagine this country plunged into long and extremely expensive head of state elections every four or five years with a bunch of unpleasant and ambitious politicians grasping for power like our neighbours to the south? 

It is often asked, “but what does the Queen do for Canada? By simply being there through Her representatives in the national and provincial capitals she is a guard against ambitious politicians overreaching themselves.

Her Governor-General can in times of emergency or special circumstances exercise his or her special personal authority to appoint or dismiss a prime minister or dissolve arliament.

That’s a thought that should delight many Canadians.    

Not so many years ago a provincial premier who had sought to involve a Lieutenant-Governor in his machinations had to resign over conflict of interest allegations.

We don’t know if he “went” or was “pushed” but the threat was always there and Her Majesty is always available to suggest, advise or caution in situations when an over-enthusiastic politician tries to go too far.

Time for a rethink? As the Gods of the Copybook Headings said, “Stick to the devil you know.”

Ralph Smith

Saanich

Could the monarchs move in next door?

With Charles and Camilla in Victoria, it’s fun to wonder what life would have been like had the house of Windsor moved to the West Shore, specifically Hatley Castle. Being creative, I can imagine a great deal. My worry is that this could come true.

The debate about the future of the monarchy in England has prompted an increased number of polls and surveys, such as the British Social Attitudes survey.

The latest one shows most U.K. residents don’t give a fig for the monarchy, particularly within the younger demographic, who hold the future of the monarchy in their hands.

In a short time, apathy and indifference replaced what once was overwhelming support for the royals. The Queen’s uncle David, King Edward VIII remarked after his 1936 abdication that he “belonged to a profession that has been losing ground for centuries.”

Once Diana and the Queen Mum died, it has been downhill from there. The drop in the opinion polls is partly financial. The more mockery the monarchy makes of itself, the closer the Windsors come to an end.

However, Canada is one of the last strongholds for the Windsors. It is entirely possible that they could move here once they are turned out of England. Victoria has the highest number of supporters for the monarchy in Canada, so what better place than here to set up shop.

Isn’t that a thought. Canada would then become the epicenter for every bit of less-than-royal behaviour and controversy. What a welcomed respite for our politicians. So raise your glasses and toast a long life to the Windsors, the monarchs of Canada, long to reign over us.

May God save us all.

William Perry

Victoria

Connection to Crown

an odd arrangement

It is unfortunate that a mature, democratic federation like Canada still clings to its colonial past.

It is very difficult to explain to people from other countries that there is no connection between the British government and Canada. Many foreigners believe that we are still in some way influenced by Britain It is actually embarrassing for a proud Canadian that many people think this way and no amount of explaining that we merely share a Head of State will fully convince them. They find this arrangement odd.

It is high time we grew up and had our own head of state.

Eric Nielsen

Oak Bay