Oath to the Queen

[Keylime]

Thank you for your responses. I realize that to many people this does not seem like a significant issue. I recognize the options of just swallowing my objections to royalty and taking the oath or, on the other hand, simply maintaining my current PR status rather than becoming a citizen. Since it appears that we will be here permanently, we would like to be able to vote and take part more actively in the political life of Canada than we are currently allowed to do. At the same time, we have not renounced or forgotten the values that we learned as US citizens. Most of these are very compatible with Canadian views, but the issue of pledging allegiance to a hereditary monarch is an exception. Having many times pledged my allegiance to the US flag and "to the republic for which it stands," I feel a conflict in being asked to devote myself to a monarch. My objection is not to Queen Elizabeth ll, for whom I have great respect, but to the institution that she represents. True, many Americans go gaga over royalty, but that is not the same thing as pledging to serve a monarch. I wonder how many Canadians would object if they were asked to take the same oath that new Canadians must take.

On a practical level, what if, having taken the oath to serve the Queen and received citizenship, I decide to join a political group that aims to (peacefully) abolish the monarchical ties between Britain and Canada. Could that not suggest to a bureaucrat that I was insincere in taking the oath? Do new Canadians have the same political freedoms in this respect as natural-born ones?

 

[ZingyDNA]

On a practical level, what if, having taken the oath to serve the Queen and received citizenship, I decide to join a political group that aims to (peacefully) abolish the monarchical ties between Britain and Canada. Could that not suggest to a bureaucrat that I was insincere in taking the oath? Do new Canadians have the same political freedoms in this respect as natural-born ones?

Very good questions. However, if you have the intention to abolish the monarchical ties between Canada and the Queen AFTER receiving citizenship, you didn't lie when taking the oath.

The trick part is, if, you were already part of a movement to abolish the ties with the Queen BEFORE oath...

 

[keesio]

Very good questions. However, if you have the intention to abolish the monarchical ties between Canada and the Queen AFTER receiving citizenship, you didn't lie when taking the oath.

The trick part is, if, you were already part of a movement to abolish the ties with the Queen BEFORE oath...

EXACTLY! And this ALSO applies to the "intent to reside" clause in C-24 that everyone is freaking about. If you really did intend to reside in Canada after getting citizenship up till the oath, you are fine even if you leave Canada after - because you didn't lie when applying and at the oath.

Now just like above, if you had clear proof of intent to leave Canada after you become a citizen BEFORE the oath... then that is the tricky part.

 

[jckdry]

A constitutional democratic leader for Canada chosen democratically by the people of Canada is not possible from a legal standpoint.
We have prime minister but they cannot make any decision without ROYAL ASSENT
Royal assent is pretty symbolic in most of the cases
Actually, I like swearing an oath to the queen or her heirs for contribution that their ancestors made to this country (+cuteness and riches$$$$)
But, I would prefer if Queen and her heirs atleast lived here full-time, followed the residency requirements (like all permanent residents) and paid taxes like all of us
If they are our leaders living here and representating us world-wide - this will bring us goodwill from all commonwealth countries and even the USA
Current system she and her heirs are a representation from an age-old system which probably needs a constitutional referendum and an update but this is debatable for any monarchy
Personally I like the riches that Queen name and symbol brings to this country
British empire was the wealthiest at one-time and its monarch n successors still owns this country
I hope Queen or her heirs choose to live here in this country in future

 

[jhjeppe]

OMFG...
Tell me more about how you don't want to swear allegiance to the Queen???

Please go home! anyone that has a problem with this, you are free to leave. nobody is forcing you to stay here. seriously, get a life and stop crying about something that has been in place for hundreds of years...

Go HOME! we certainly don't need your kind here...

 

[bambino]

OMFG, someone has become more Catholic than the Pope!

I just love the "go back home if you don't like it" argument, especially coming from someone who's been in Canada a fraction of the time I have.

I would have loved the option to swear allegiance to Canada and its people, many of whom share my disdain for that inbred bunch of leeches in London.

 

[alphazip]

OMFG...
Tell me more about how you don't want to swear allegiance to the Queen???

Please go home! anyone that has a problem with this, you are free to leave. nobody is forcing you to stay here. seriously, get a life and stop crying about something that has been in place for hundreds of years...

Go HOME! we certainly don't need your kind here...

That reaction certainly seems to be a bit over the top! After all, some polls have shown that a majority of Canadians favour ending ties to the monarchy, which is not to suggest that anything will be done about it. (In fact, many Canadians don't even realize that the Queen is our head of state.)

Interesting results here: http://www.jjmccullough.com/monarchypoll.htm

Though coming from the U.S. (and Canadian by descent), I personally prefer the monarchy over, say, an elected ceremonial president, though I don't find discussion of the issue to be something that should be forbidden. However, I would say to the OP that despite what your feelings are on this subject, if you want to become a Canadian citizen you will have to take the oath. Of course, a future government could alter the oath, but who knows if or when that may occur.

 

[jckdry]

I just saw the last episode of this season of game of thrones
Queen had pretty miserable time in those days,it shows in this episode.

Canada is multicultural country and all kinds and races of people are equal here as per constitution.
Anyone does not get a priority as citizen or with government based on their background.
Only native people have some reservations and claims on this land n nation.

Please do not insult anyone based on their race here.
Any kinds and especially different kinds of people are more welcome here by the Queen.

Queen is symbolic head of this nation so please don't be rude to her or her successors here.
Peace and harmony among different people is important anywhere in Canada.

 

[polara69]

I can top that issue.. I became a New Zealand citizen many many years ago and did swear allegiance to the Queen then.. Maybe I can get exempted?? Just kidding, both are very similar in nature.

NZ oath: "I, [full name], swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her (or His) Majesty [specify the name of the reigning Sovereign, as thus: Queen Elizabeth the Second, Queen of New Zealand,] Her (or His) heirs and successors, according to law, and that I will faithfully observe the laws of New Zealand and fulfil my duties as a New Zealand citizen.
So help me God

Canada oath: I swear (or affirm) that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada, Her Heirs and Successors, and that I will faithfully observe the laws of Canada and fulfil my duties as a Canadian citizen.

 

[rayman_m]

Being a new Canadian, I don't feel it is a big deal of taking oath to the Queen which is simply a symbolic. Since 1500s till the USA was separated in 1800s the entire North America was mostly ruled by British. Also British did develop the vast place of entire North.

Still Canada is most liberal country and safer in the world to live in terms of rule of law with no discrimination on race, religion or belief. For instance, take as an example US Income Tax Law vs Canada. A US citizen who lives overseas must submit their bank statements to proof their financial situation to the Govt. while Canada has most easy going liberal approach which makes one much relaxed and un tensed. This shows US govt has very little faith on its citizens when it comes to declaring their total income while Canada tax department trusts its citizens to declare income not going after the bank accounts etc. etc.

Also take another issue Healthcare which is universal like UK has in England and this was possible because of British monarchy ties with Canada. Otherwise vast majority of Canadian would have been finding difficult to support health care issues or pay high insurance premiums to get coverage.

Therefore, if a symbolic oath can bring so much benefits to an individual's life and it's family then I don't see any issues here.. But if one decide not be a Canadian and having difficulties accepting Canada's historical ties with British monarchy then it's all comes to a personal choice.

We have to remember at present millions of people are dreaming to immigrate Canada from all over the world from multi millionaire to the high skilled individuals like doctors, scholars, scientist.. No doubt Canadian citizenship is as priceless and precious gift could be to one's life...

 

[keesio]

Being a new Canadian, I don't feel it is a big deal of taking oath to the Queen which is simply a symbolic. Since 1500s till the USA was separated in 1800s the entire North America was mostly ruled by British. Also British did develop the vast place of entire North.

Don't forget France for awhile.

For instance, take as an example US Income Tax Law vs Canada. A US citizen who lives overseas must submit their bank statements to proof their financial situation to the Govt. while Canada has most easy going liberal approach which makes one much relaxed and un tensed. This shows US govt has very little faith on its citizens when it comes to declaring their total income while Canada tax department trusts its citizens to declare income not going after the bank accounts etc. etc.

Reason why overseas Canadians don't need to report anything is because they don't have to file taxes at all. Anyway, Many Canadians have been more vocal about overseas tax shelters. They feel that many wealthy "fat-cats" are hiding their money there and not paying their "fair share". Several in the NDP are actually pushing to have all overseas Canadian citizens report all their income and potentially pay taxes like the US requires of their overseas citizens and it gaining steam.

 

[rayman_m]

Don't forget France for awhile.

Reason why overseas Canadians don't need to report anything is because they don't have to file taxes at all. Anyway, Many Canadians have been more vocal about overseas tax shelters. They feel that many wealthy "fat-cats" are hiding their money there and not paying their "fair share". Several in the NDP are actually pushing to have all overseas Canadian citizens report all their income and potentially pay taxes like the US requires of their overseas citizens and it gaining steam.

Yes presently if a Canadian does not live at least six month in Canada in a calendar year no mandatory tax filing is required while US changed law to enforce as mandatory for citizens who lives overseas. But, recently CRA changed its foreign asset verification form with more details for "fat-cats" to declare their overseas shares, bank deposits, properties etc with value and capital gain etc. However, Canada still have not enforced overseas banks to report a Canadian citizen's bank statement to the CRA like US and hope no party will go thus far like US..