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e-4391 (Parliament and politics)

E-petition
Initiated by John Bourassa from Abbotsford, British Columbia

Original language of petition: English

Petition to the House of Commons

Whereas:
  • With current polling showing only one in five Canadians support the monarchy;
  • Canadians no longer support the monarchy and are wishing to abolish the monarchy;
  • Canadians are ready to elect our own head of state and recommend the new office be termed "Chancellor of Canada";
  • Canadians would save on paying for a residence in every province and territory as they have a Lieutenant Governor that tax payers pay for;
  • All treaties with our Indigenous would be automatically transferred to this new office;
  • Canadians seek to have the office act as a proper check and balance and not just a rubber stamp; and
  • Canadians ask that our provinces and territories, work in a cooperative open and fair process to prevent provinces from hijacking the amending process for constitution.
We, the undersigned, Citizens and permanent residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to start the process to abolish the monarchy in its entirety in Canada and create a new office which recommend being called "Chancellor of Canada." We call upon the house and the provinces to install in the new office power to check and control the balance of power and not let it become just a rubber stamp. We ask that terms for office be limited to five year terms, with no more than two terms in total and the chancellor will be of Canadian citizenship only, and or must renounce former citizenship prior to swearing in to office.

Response by the Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs

Signed by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): JENNIFER O’CONNELL

As a constitutional monarchy, Canada shares many of the features of our form of government with some of our closest allies. Despite sharing this common heritage with many other countries, over almost 160 years, our system has evolved and is now distinctly Canadian. This is a testament to the resilience of our constitutional arrangements.

The Governor General and Lieutenant Governors, as the King’s representatives, perform important administrative functions under the Canadian constitutional order. Equally important, they play a central role in celebrating and honouring Canadians across the country. It should be noted that these functions would still have to be carried out, with associated costs, in the event of a change in the form of government.

Since 1867, Canada has benefited from the stability and flexibility offered by its form of government and will continue to do so for years to come.

Open for signature
April 12, 2023, at 3:48 p.m. (EDT)
Closed for signature
July 11, 2023, at 3:48 p.m. (EDT)
Presented to the House of Commons
Brad Vis (Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon)
March 18, 2024 (Petition No. 441-02233)
Government response tabled
May 1, 2024
Photo - Brad Vis
Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon
Conservative Caucus
British Columbia