In a decisive vote, the Canadian House of Commons has defeated a bill that sought to allow MPs the option to pledge allegiance without mentioning King Charles, maintaining the traditional monarchical oath.
In Canada, a legislative proposal that would have permitted Members of Parliament (MPs) to opt-out of pledging allegiance to King Charles was defeated in the House of Commons. The bill, known as C-347, aimed to introduce an alternative oath for MPs that did not mention the monarch, advocating a more contemporary approach towards parliamentary allegiance.
The bill was rejected by a substantial majority of MPs across various political parties, with a vote tally showing an 84-vote margin against the proposal. Following the defeat of the bill, MPs unitedly sang “God Save The King,” emphasizing their commitment to the existing monarchical system.
Critics of the bill, including John Fraser from the Institute for the Study of the Crown in Canada, labeled the proposed change as misguided. Supporters of the monarchy argued that amending the oath could undermine the constitutional framework that designates the monarch as a central figure of authority.
Despite some backing from parties such as the Bloc Québécois and the NDP, the majority in Parliament upheld the traditional oath that aligns with Canada’s constitutional relationship with the monarchy. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau commented on the situation, suggesting a lack of widespread support for initiating constitutional changes concerning the monarchy at this time.
The decision to maintain the current oath of allegiance to the reigning monarch follows amidst news that an anticipated visit by King Charles to Canada has been postponed due to his health concerns.
