Canada has a queen because it is part of the Commonwealth, an organization formed by countries with historical ties to the United Kingdom. The queen of the United Kingdom is also the queen of Canada as the head of state.
Canada was long under the control of Great Britain, largely due to the explorations and conquests of the 17th and 18th centuries. After the British victory over the French at the Battle of the Plains of Abraham in 1759, New France became British with the Treaty of Paris in 1763. Naturally, British royal power established itself and integrated into the political functioning of the territory. It is therefore quite natural that Canada retains, after its gradual independence, this historical link with the British monarchy, which still explains today why the country officially has a king or queen.
In 1867, several British colonies in North America decided to form a single country together. Provinces like Quebec, Ontario, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick chose to unite to create an autonomous federation: the Dominion of Canada. This allowed them to manage their internal affairs independently while remaining connected to the British monarchy. From that point on, even though Canada began to make its own political decisions, Queen Victoria remained the official head of state, but her role was largely symbolic. Canadians obtained their own parliament and their own government that acted locally, but the queen maintained a historical connection, represented on site by a governor general.
The British North America Act, enacted in 1867, laid the official foundations of the country by uniting British colonies into a Dominion of Canada. This allowed for the creation of an autonomous country still under the British monarchy, with Queen Victoria as the official head of state. The text clearly establishes the political structure of the country: a federal government in Ottawa and provincial governments with their own powers. This federal-provincial balance envisioned by the Act is still at the heart of Canadian politics today. The Act also guarantees a bicameral parliament composed of an elected House of Commons and an appointed Senate, inspired by the British model. Thus, we find an independent country, yet still symbolically connected to the British crown.
Today, the monarchy mainly serves as a symbol for Canada. The country remains a constitutional monarchy, but in practice, it is the elected government that governs. The British sovereign is represented on-site by a Governor General, whose functions are mostly ceremonial: opening Parliament, officially signing certain laws, or bestowing honors. This role also brings a certain historical and cultural continuity, reminding of the country’s British heritage without directly influencing the daily lives of Canadians. It is a more symbolic than practical tradition, but many remain attached to it out of identity or respect for the collective history of the country.
If you become a Canadian citizen, you swear allegiance to the queen (or king) as a symbol of Canada's unity, as well as to Canadian laws.
The portrait of Queen Elizabeth II still appears on Canadian currency. However, unlike in the United Kingdom, the queen is never depicted wearing her crown on Canadian coins, reflecting a less formal monarchy.
Since 1931, Canada has been an independent kingdom within the Commonwealth and simply shares its monarch with the United Kingdom and several other countries such as Australia, New Zealand, and Jamaica.
Although Canada officially recognizes the British monarchy, the country also has a Canadian Governor General who locally represents the monarch and performs royal functions. This position has been held by Canadians since 1952.
The queen or the king plays an essentially symbolic and ceremonial role, representing national unity, continuity, and institutional stability. Their actual functions are generally carried out by the governor general at the federal level and by the lieutenant governors at the provincial level.
Yes, Canada can constitutionally choose to become a republic or modify its relationship with the monarchy. However, this change would require a complex constitutional process, including the agreement of the Canadian Parliament and the approval of all provinces.
In the United Kingdom, the queen or king has a more direct and frequent presence in political and public life, whereas in Canada, their role is almost exclusively represented by their delegates, such as the governor general and the lieutenant governors. Therefore, the role is primarily symbolic in Canada.
A majority of the costs associated with the British royal family are borne by the United Kingdom. However, Canada locally finances certain expenses related to the monarchy, such as the official travels of its representatives (Governor General, lieutenant governors) and official ceremonies.
These symbols are a historical reflection of the close ties between Canada and the United Kingdom, dating back to the British colonial era. Today, they represent more of a cultural heritage than a genuine political dependence.
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