Media
Releases
2017
October 2, 2017 - New
Governor General has opportunity to make history - On the
investiture of Madame Julie Payette as Governor General, CCR
observes that her term may be marked
by some unique characteristics which could help propel the
initiative for patriation of the institution of Canada's head of
state.
June 29, 2017 -
Royal visit a reminder: Canada's nation-building incomplete -
CCR points out the irony, that on a
day to celebrate Canada's progress from colony to nation, that
instead of a worthy Canadian, our government chooses to invite
British royals, representatives of the last obstacle to full
Canadian nationhood.
May 19, 2017 -
After 150 years,
Canada still acts like a colonial outpost -150 years after
Confederation, CCR believes it's a national embarrassment for
Canada to still be constitutionally connected to Britain's
monarchy.
January 5, 2017 -
New year begins with encouraging news - CCR comments on
the latest opinion poll showing a majority of Canadians want to
end the monarchy when the Queen's reign ends, plus other
noteworthy developments.
2016
September
30, 2016 - Fascination with royals
separate from desire for Canadian head of state - CCR
dispels myth that celebrity worship of royals is proof that
Canada has equal support of the monarchy as an institution.
May 20, 2016
- Opinion poll "monarchy connection" clarified - The
May CTV/Nanos monarchy poll presents an opportunity for
CCR to point out how wording can affect results.
May 19, 2016
- Prominent Canadians to advise on republic strategy -
CCR announces its new Advisory Committee and its first
appointees: Brigadier-General James Cox (Ret'd) and Governor
General's Literary Award winning author and historian
Christopher Moore.
2015
December 1, 2015
- Prime Minister Trudeau and the monarchy - CCR
responds to comments in Europe about the Queen.
2014
May 15, 2014
- The monarchy debate comes to Halifax - CCR
announces the launching of its newest chapter in Halifax, Nova
Scotia.
February 14, 2014
-
World Cup event raises
question: Is the GG Canada's Head of State? -
The Governor
General handles the solid gold FIFA World Cup, which, according
to FIFA protocol, "Only heads of state and previous FIFA World
Cup winners" can do. CCR asks: If the GG is considered Canada's
head of state, why not make it official?
2013
July 23, 2013 -
Choosing a head of state should be by
merit, not birthright -
CCR raises the discriminatory nature of the
monarchy. There will be hundreds of Canadians and future
citizens born the same day as the royal baby, yet regardless of
how smart, selfless, hard working and proudly Canadian that
child may one day become, because they were not born into the
right entitled family, he or she is constitutionally barred from
ever becoming Canada's head of state.
May 17, 2013 -
Poll shows less than a third of Canadians
support monarchy - A poll released by Angus Reid reveals
that 40% would like Canada to have an elected head of state,
while only 28 per cent prefer to remain a monarchy. Also, 49%
support reopening Canada’s constitutional debate to discuss
replacing the monarch with an elected head of state, while one
third (33%) are opposed.
February 5, 2013 -
Royal succession bill unconstitutional
- CCR releases comments
from James Morton, counsel on
the 2003 O'Donohue v. Canada case in the Ontario Court of
Appeal, which held the rules of succession are a part of the
Canadian constitution. His opinion that Bill C-54, which cedes
Britain sole power to change the rules of succession, is
unconstitutional, joins those of other constitutional experts.
January 25, 2013 -
First Nations' view of Canadian 'Crown' outdated
- CCR comments on
the Prime Minister's decision to exclude the
Governor General from talks with First Nations activists, and
that treaty rights in Canada are fully protected, not by the
Queen herself, but by the Canadian government, as per Section 35
of the Constitution Act, 1982.
2012
May 18, 2012 -
Monarchy unpopular as ever, despite royal
wedding PR -
Less than one year
after opinion polls declared that 81 percent of Canadians
believed "Prince William and Catherine will help keep monarchy
relevant to Canadians," a new poll indicates what republicans
knew all along: the love affair was with the glitz and glamour,
not the institution.
February 6, 2012 -
Jubilee celebrations raise questions of priorities -
As Canadians anticipate the coming onslaught of the massive,
royal PR campaign relating to the Queen's Diamond Jubilee,
Citizens for a Canadian Republic asks Canadians to closely
examine the institution at the heart of the celebration and its
relevance to modern Canadian values.
2011
October 28, 2011 -
Changes to monarchy rules offer no benefit to Canada - CCR
comments on the Commonwealth agreement to partially revise the
monarchy's discriminatory rules of royal succession.
August 16, 2011 -
Restoring "royal" to military is regressive and costly -
In response to the
restoration of the pre-1968 titles of Royal Canadian Navy and
Royal Canadian Air Force, Canada's republican movement says the
backward move, designed to appeal to conservative
traditionalists, could backfire.
July 7, 2011 -
Royals in US to promote British interests, not Canada's -
CCR notes that our future head of state is traveling to Los
Angeles to promote the British film industry at the expense of
Canada's. Also, the Duke and Duchess are taking advantage of
Canadian taxpayers by adding this US sales junket to their
state-funded trip.
June 23, 2011 -
Poll: Youth have little interest in royal visit to Canada -
A poll conducted at Toronto's York University reveals only
5% of students are "excited about the royal couple coming to
Canada."
June 11, 2011 -
Prince Philip appointment shows severe lack of judgement
- Citizens for a
Republic questions the appointment of Prince Philip, who is
known for his intolerant views, as an honourary general and
admiral in the Canadian Armed Forces.
May 19, 2011 -
Prominent Canadians support a republic - Citizens for a
Republic
releases the first 'who's who list'
of Canadian republicans ever compiled.
Carefully selected individuals from
the political, academic, arts and
entertainment fields are profiled.
April 26, 2011 - Election
2011 - The views by the leaders and parties revealed -
Citizens for a Republic releases its non-partisan 'Voter's guide
2011: How the leaders and parties stand on the
monarchy/republic debate,' from information
compiled from over ten years of research by CCR volunteers and
organizers.
April 18, 2011 -
Canada blocking Commonwealth debate on monarchy succession -
CCR responds to a UK media report that the Government of
Canada is opposing talks to reform descriminatory aspects of the
monarchy's succession rules.
February 17, 2011 -
Another royal visit
to cost
taxpayers unnecessary millions -
Citing polls that say the the royals are "simply celebrities and
nothing more", CCR comments on the upcoming visit by Prince
William and Kate Middleton.
February 1, 2011 -
Canadian and British republicans unite for Oxford Union
monarchy debate - At the world-renowned Oxford Union
debating society, CCR's Tom Freda, Republic's Graham Smith and
British human rights lawyer Louise Christian lead the republican
side in a debate on ending the monarchy. (Released to UK-based
Canadian media correspondents).
2010
September 30, 2010 -
There are better ways to choose a head of state - On
the eve of the installation of David Johnston as Canada's new
governor general, CCR makes the case for reforming the selection
process.
July 1, 2010 -
Royal visit to cost taxpayers estimated $1M or more per day
- In documents released through access to information and
other sources, the
9-day visit to Canada by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince
Philip is estimated to cost the public in excess of $9
million. Four million dollars for the Queen to
attend Canada Day and $500,000 for the official dinner
in Toronto are at the top of the list of taxpayer-funded costs.
May 28, 2010 - Poll:
Majority wants constitutional debate on monarchy -
Consistent
with previous polls in November, 2009, a new poll contradicts
the prevailing view that Canadians fear discussion of the
monarchy because it means opening the constitution.
May 21, 2010 -
Canada denied monarchy debate in parliament -
Citizens for a Canadian Republic asks: Why does Canada stand
alone among the major former British colonies as the only nation
that hasn't had a parliamentary debate on the monarchy?
2009
November 27, 2009 -
Commonwealth must be fully committed to its own principles -
Common Cause, the alliance of Commonwealth republican movements,
is calling on the Commonwealth leaders, meeting at the GHOGM in
Trinidad and Tobago, to demonstrate a stronger commitment to its
own core values.
November 26, 2009 -
Royal visit costs prove Canada can do better -
Citizens for a Canadian Republic reacts to information released
on the huge cost to taxpayers for the visit to Canada by Prince Charles
and Camilla.
October 30, 2009-
Royal visit to Canada raises serious questions -
Citizens for a Canadian Republic questions the policy of Canada
paying to have all members of the Queen's family visit here, the
wisdom of having Prince Charles incite Québec extremism with
visits to two cities in that province and why Canada's
government lags behing Australia and New Zealand in head of
state reform.
July 2, 2009 -
Support for ending monarchy now at record high - In a
Canada Day opinion poll released by The Globe and Mail / CTV, an
unprecedented 65 per cent of Canadians want the monarchy to end
when the Queen's reign ends.
May 14, 2009 -
'Canada after the Queen' subject of Victoria Day forum -
Host Phil Taylor of CIUT's 'The Taylor Report, hosts a series of
presentations and discussion focusing on the growth of public
opinion for ending the monarchy and what steps should be taken
now to prepare for a republic. Guest speakers include pollster
and former political strategist Peter Donolo, author and policy
analyst Randall White and CBC Air Farce comedian Alan Park.
April 7, 2009 -
Governor-General says republic inevitable in Australia -
Canadian republicans applaud Australian Governor-General Quentin
Bryce's comment that she believes Australia will become a
republic and that eventually ditching the monarchy was "part of
the development of our democracy."
March 9, 2009 -
Green Party of Canada supports ending oath to Queen -
Citizens for a Canadian Republic
welcomes the Green Party of Canada's new policy resolution
calling for an amendment to the Citizenship Act to remove
allegiance to the monarchy.
2008
December 5, 2008
-
The governor general: Outdated and overdue for reform -
CCR provides comments on the Governor General's decision to
agree to the Prime Minister's request to prorogue parliament.
September 17, 2008 -
Republic debate: Australia leads, Canada dithers. CCR
welcomes the news of republican Malcolm Turnbull's selection as
the new leader of the Australian Liberal Party. Australia now
has prominent republicans in both main federal political
parties. Canada remains the only major overseas Commonwealth
nation left without at least one national political party with
an official policy on ending the monarchy.
May 15, 2008 - Fotheringham on monarchy: 'Time to wave goodbye.'
CCR marks the Victoria Day/Patriots Day weekend with a special
speaking engagement featuring the legendary Maclean's Magazine
and CBC journalist Allan Fotheringham.
February 15, 2008 -
Attorney General tries again to stop monarchy oath lawsuit.
After failing in two lower courts to stop
Charles Roach's class action
lawsuit, the Government of Canada tries again to keep the
lawsuit from proceeding closer to certification.
2007
November 28, 2007 -
Barbados to vote on ending British monarchy - Citizens
for a Canadian Republic welcomes the news that a referendum on
ending the monarchy in Barbados will be included in the
Caribbean nation's next general election being held within the
next nine months.
November 26, 2007
- New Australian PM revives republic debate -
Kevin Rudd's Labor Party is elected in the Australian General
Election. A staunch republican, he promises to hold a new
republic referendum, possibly by 2010. Commonwealth republican
movements expect the mood to spread beyond Australia leading up
to the referendum.
November 22, 2007 -
Prince Charles has no place at
Commonwealth Conference - Calling for an
end to the monarchy's favoured position within the Commonwealth,
Common Cause, an alliance of the Commonwealth republican
movements in Australia, Britain, Canada and New Zealand, rejects
the notion that Charles should automatically succeed the Queen
as lifetime head of the organization.
October 3, 2007 -
Poll: Canadians want end to monarchy - The latest
poll that shows a strong majority of Canadians support replacing
the monarchy with a republic prompts CCR to call for and
all-party parliamentary committee to discuss the issue.
September 12, 2007 - Monarchy oath lawsuit gets new
hearing - The Attorney General of Canada appeals the May
decision by Ontario Superior Court Judge Edward Belobaba which
allowed Charles Roach's class action objecting to the
Citizenship Act's mandatory oath to the Queen to proceed.
July 26, 2007 -
Australia
to re-open debate on republic -
Citizens for a Canadian Republic welcomes Australian opposition
leader Kevin Rudd's announcement that if elected later this year
as prime minister, he would hold a new republic referendum. The
renewed debate in Australia is expected to spread to Canada and
the rest of the Commonwealth.
June 20, 2007 -
Ireland's president: An example for Canadian reform -
CCR
welcomes Irish President Mary McAleese to Canada and suggests
that Ireland's transformation from constitutional monarchy to
stable and prosperous republic deserves to be looked at as a
model for Canada's evolution.
May 18, 2007
- Monarchy a serious threat to unity -
As
English-speaking Canada marks the monarchist Victoria Day
holiday this Monday, Citizens for a Canadian Republic (CCR)
wants Canadians to think about the damage to Canadian unity the
monarchy causes.
May 7, 2007 -
Citizenship Act class action hearing, Tuesday,
May 8 -
A class action lawsuit filed by CCR member Charles Roach
gets its first Superior Court hearing in Toronto. At issue is
whether the requirement for new citizens to take an oath
containing the words "… be faithful and bear true allegiance to
her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, Queen of Canada, Her
heirs and Successors" contravenes sections 2 and 15 of the
Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
2006
October 28, 2006 -
National Defence Act needs to better reflect the times -
CCR says it's time to repeal imprisonment for "disloyal"
comments about monarch by members of Canada's military.
May 19, 2006 - CCR:
Think of monarchy on Victoria Day -
Canada's official
day to mark the Queen's birthday is an excellent time to examine the contradictions the monarchy has with our Canadian
values and constitution, says CCR.
March 13, 2006 -
It's
time for Canada to update flag protocol on Commonwealth Day
-
CCR
calls on The Department of
Canadian Heritage to bring Canada into the 21st
century in regards to the official flying of the Royal Union
Flag on Commonwealth Day.
2005
December 10, 2005 - Canada's
Citizenship Act target of class action lawsuit -
On Human Rights Day 2005, CCR announces its support for member
Charles Roach's class action contesting the constitutionality of
the Canadian Citizenship Act's oath of allegiance to Queen
Elizabeth II and her heirs and successors.
September 26, 2005 -
Republicans hope G-G's office continues to evolve under Jean
- CCR bids an official "farewell" to Governor General
Clarkson and welcomes her successor, Madame Michaëlle Jean.
August 4, 2005
- Prime Minister Martin - Make this the last
appointed governor general - CCR welcomes
Mme Michaëlle Jean as Canada's new
governor general while also
continuing its appeal for more democracy in the selection
process.
May 19. 2005 -
Republicans to protest Queen in Citizenship Oath -
More
detailed version of media release from May 13.
May
16. 2005 - Canadian republican movement welcomes Queen and
Prince Phillip - On the eve of the Royal Visit to
Saskatchewan and Alberta, CCR welcomes the Royal couple and
acknowledges the increased discussion of republicanism the visit
generates.
May
13. 2005 - Citizenship oath should be to Canada not Queen
- CCR announces a repeat of 2004's successful
protest of the outdated Citizenship Act on Saturday, May 21. The event, which was televised last year on
all major news networks, will again be held at the Ontario
Legislature grounds on Victoria Day weekend, the official
celebration of the Queen's birthday. (Released to local media).
April
7, 2005 - New alliance links Commonwealth republican
movements - Common
Cause, an alliance of Commonwealth Republican movements is
launced on three continents. CCR will share
information, ideas and resources with The Australian
Republican Movement, the Republican Movement of Aotearoa
New Zealand (RMANZ) and Republic in the UK.
March
11, 2005 - Canadian charter rights diminished by outdated
British act - CCR supports Tony O'Donohue's continued
fight agains the 1701 Act of Settlement in the Ontario Court of
Appeals.
February
11, 2005 - Wedding announcement signals royal makeover
- CCR points out that Charles' low approval ratings so late
in the Queen's reign is the real motivator for the royal wedding
PR campaign.
February
3, 2005 - Canada's head of state: We can do better - On
the 53rd
anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s Accession
to the Throne, Ashok
Charles, a senior member of Citizens for a Canadian
Republic’s executive, expresses why the oath she took on
coronation is completely unsuitable for a twenty-first century
Canadian head of state.
2004
November
18, 2004 - Is this Canada's next head of state? -
CCR
says Prince Charles' elitist comments on social standing are not
compatible with egalitarian Canada, suggesting that it's time to
debate whether he, or any other monarch, is suitable to be
Canada's next head of state.
October
1, 2004 - Act now on governor general, republican group
says -
On
the occasion of Governor General Clarkson's one year extension,
CCR asks the Prime Minister to use this period to act decisively
the recommendations of the Standing Committee on Government
Operations and Estimates. Its report, titled: The Governor
General of Canada: Role, Duties and Funding for Activities,
calls for sweeping reforms of the office.
.May
20, 2004 - Time to promote Canada, not Queen, on holiday
- CCR
proposes redesignating Victoria Day as Citizenship Day. Member
Ashok Charles recants Oath of Citizenship's allegiance to Queen
at an Ontario Legislature gathering.
March
18, 2004 - Proposal for electing the Governor
General announced -
CCR calls on the Prime Minister to appoint a special
parliamentary committee to examine democratizing the office of
the Governor General.
2003
June
13, 2003 - Former Australian Republican Movement chairman
speaks at dinner engagement -
Greg
Barns, National Chairman of the ARM from 2000 to 2002 and
National Campaign Director of the 1999 referendum for an
Australian head of state addresses members and supporters of CCR
at an informal evening dinner and reception.
May
29, 2003 - Australian scandal exposes flawed appointment
process - Canadian and Australian republicans unite in
condemnation of their similarly undemocratic systems of
selecting Governors General.
May
14, 2003 - Debate on monarchy's future must begin now,
says republican movement - CCR calls for a Royal
Commission to
get the official discussion started on the future of the
monarchy.
2002
November
5, 2002 - Oath to Queen costs Canada citizens,
says republican movement - Comments from national
director and CCR supporters on the propoposed Citizenship Act.
October
9, 2002 - Manley's comments fair, say republicans
- CCR comments on Deputy Prime Minister John Manley's remarks
about the monarchy, it's ramifications on the republican
movement and its similarity to events in Australia and New
Zealand.
October
4, 2002
- Canadian republicans welcome royal visit
- CCR welcomes Queen while urging Canadians to take the occasion
to engage in the discussion of the monarchy and its future in
Canada.
September
24, 2002 - Canada's republican movement presents
legal case against the monarchy. CCR announces filing to
become an intervener in the Act of Settlement legal action
against the federal government.
May
14, 2002 - Republican events planned for "Victoria
Week" - Public forum at University of Toronto. - 1837
Rebellion commemoration at Samuel Lount hanging site.
April
10, 2002 - New movement formed advocating a
Canadian republic - Announcement of the formation of Citizens for a
Canadian Republic and the hosting of a public forum in Toronto.
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