Along with most Canadians, I try to ignore the monarchy. It is ersatz, immaterial and irrelevant to our lives. The only problem is that the monarchy is locked into a constitutional structure that defies change. It was planned to be almost impossible to change.
The small-minded Fathers of Confederation were trying to lock us in to their perception of the future. And, of course, they were wrong. These men (note that there were no women involved and no aboriginals) were lucky that there where a few who could see the road ahead. The promise of a railroad linking the country was a promise that had to be fulfilled.
They built a country of promise. Each successive generation adds its roads, infrastructure, buildings and homes. It also adds people. The promise of Canada is a safety valve for the world’s turmoil. We have become a country of racial mix far in excess of the awareness of the founders. We have become a country of languages, far from the basics of French and English.
But we are also a country without a past. The monarchy holds no mirror to us. I weep for the indignities we pile on the mindless grave of Sir John A. Macdonald. A man who should be honoured for his foresight sleeps to eternity under the weeds of the family plot.
Canada needs a future. If it is with a pseudo monarchy, so be it. It has to be the people who make the decision. We need a constitutional congress. We need to elect two or more people for every parliamentary electoral district. They should meet in conclave to discuss, resolve, plan and present Canada with a future. It could take them a year or more. It will not be an easy task.
For all its vast lands and spread of peoples, we are a complex society. Our aboriginals deserve a seat at the table. The French language is important to us, as is English and the languages of our ancestors.
Let us discuss in public. Let us listen to Canadians. Let us imagine a country. And then let the people decide.
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Copyright 2021 © Peter Lowry
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