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A Royal Visit By Canada's Head of State
Queen Elizabeth II, Canada's head of state, is widely admired by her transatlantic subjects.
(By Kirsty Wigglesworth -- Associated Press)
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If it does collapse, Martin will go to the queen's official representative, Governor General Adrienne Clarkson, to obtain her permission to hold an election and try to form a new government. The election would likely be held June 27.
Some backroom conspiracy theorists envision the governor general using her royal powers to dismiss the government on her own, or offering the Conservatives a chance to form a government without an election. But that would be hugely unpopular.
"The monarchy in Canada is largely symbolic. And the governor general has to be careful to keep it that way," said Grace Skogstad, a professor of political science at the University of Toronto.
Public opinion polls show that Canadians are deeply ambivalent about the monarchy. Nearly half think it is outmoded, and almost two-thirds believe the royals should play no role in Canada's government. Yet four out of five believe in Canada's current system of government, which is based on the sovereignty of the queen.
"The numbers tell us Canadians think the situation should change and stay the same at the same time," concludes a newly published volume called "What Canadians Think About Almost Everything" by Darrell Bricker and John Wright of the polling organization Ipsos-Reid. The conclusions come from results of numerous polls conducted in recent years.
There have been periodic proposals to replace the queen with an elected head of state, but there has never been much enthusiasm for the battle; Canada has never had a referendum on the question. Such a fundamental change in the constitution would require approval by every province, a tough political hurdle.
"The queen represents things we agree on: rule of law, tradition, respect for each other, tolerance, a sense of duty and commitment," said Aimers of the Monarchist League. Canadians seem pleased enough to keep that touchstone, in part because the system helps define Canada distinctly from the United States, he added.
In addition, Elizabeth herself is liked: According to Ipsos-Reid, 84 percent of Canadians believe the queen has done a good job.
"She is not revered, but she is seen not to get in the way, and as someone who does her job well," Skogstad said. "There's no burning desire to get rid of the monarchy."
In 22 prior trips to Canada throughout her 52-year reign, the queen has endeared herself to Canadians not unlike the way President John F. Kennedy did in Berlin by declaring himself a Berliner.
"I am getting to know our country rather well," she observed while in Canada in 1978. Five years later, she noted during a trip to California, "I am going home to Canada tomorrow."
