RCS Ottawa
Sep 16, 20171 min
You may have read about a recent ruling in Canada which stated it is constitutional to require would-be Canadians to take an oath to the Queen. You may also have been surprised to learn Canada does, in fact, still have a queen, and she is the same Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Ceylon, and Pakistan, among others. Here is a list of roles still served by Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom, Canada and Her other Realms and Territories, Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith.
1. Technically speaking, Queen Elizabeth is the Sovereign of the parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy of Canada. Unless you frequently use Canadian money or are particularly savvy with regard to Canadian politics, you may not have known they had any kind of monarchy.
2. All ministers, legislators, members of the armed forces, public servants, and police officers swear allegiance to the Queen. Though the aforementioned court ruling is likely to be appealed, for the time being all new citizens swear allegiance to the Queen as well. All passports are likewise issued in the name of the Queen. Full Story