More than half of Canadians oppose Oath of Allegiance to Queen

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OTTAWA — Most individuals in Canada don’t suppose individuals ought to must swear an Oath of Allegiance to the Queen, based on a ballot forward of Canada Day.

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A Leger ballot for the Affiliation of Canadian Research discovered that 56 per cent of respondents didn’t agree with swearing allegiance to the Queen.

New Canadians must swear an oath to the monarchy at citizenship ceremonies together with a pledge to “be devoted and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, Queen of Canada, her heirs and successors.”

Jack Jedwab, president of the Affiliation for Canadian Research, mentioned most individuals born in Canada have been in all probability unaware that new Canadians needed to swear an oath to be devoted to the Royal Household.

“In the event you ask Canadians about their id, few would point out the monarchy,” he mentioned.

The ballot of two,118 individuals earlier this month can’t be assigned a margin of error as a result of on-line panels aren’t thought of really random samples.

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Whereas 58 per cent of those that responded are positively disposed towards the Queen, with solely 28 per cent negatively disposed, Canadians are evenly divided — 40 per cent positively and 40 per cent negatively — of their view of the monarchy general.

The ballot requested whether or not, “as a Canadian, we should always all comply with be devoted and bear true allegiance” to the Queen and her heirs.

Those that are very beneficial towards the monarchy have been extra prone to approve of pledging allegiance.

Sixty per cent of males and 52 per cent of ladies who did the survey answered no. Opposition was stronger amongst Canadians aged 18-34 than these over the age of 55.

Nearly three-quarters of individuals residing in Quebec opposed the oath, in comparison with solely 47 per cent in Alberta.

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A big proportion of these polled — together with 20 per cent of ladies — mentioned that they had no view or didn’t need to reply.

Canada is a constitutional monarchy, with the Queen as the top of state. She is represented federally by Gov. Gen. Mary Simon, and at a provincial stage by lieutenant-governors.

Any change to the place of the Queen or her representatives in Canada would want the unanimous consent of the Home of Commons, the Senate and provincial legislatures.

Taking an oath of citizenship is the ultimate step in changing into a Canadian citizen. Ceremonies happen throughout the nation, with particular ceremonies on Canada Day.

New Canadians should additionally promise to faithfully observe the legal guidelines of Canada.

Earlier this month, the Queen celebrated her platinum jubilee with celebrations in Canada, the U.Okay. and throughout the Commonwealth. She ascended the throne at age 27 in 1952 and is England’s longest-serving monarch.