Quebec sovereigntists urge Canada to cut ties to British monarchy

Quebec sovereigntists have called on Canada to cut ties with the British monarchy, which the head of the Bloc Quebecois party described as a costly and “archaic” symbol. The party’s symbolic motion, debated in the House of Commons in Ottawa [...], comes amid a renewed debate in Commonwealth realms around the role of the British crown following the recent death of Queen Elizabeth II. Canada is a constitutional monarchy and its ceremonial “head of state” is now King Charles III. “We think we need to dispose of [ties to the British monarchy] easily, quickly, without making a fuss. It’s an anachronism. It’s a coat of paint in a living room that is starting to fade in the corners,” Bloc Quebecois leader Yves-Francois Blanchet said during a news conference before the debate. A vote is expected on [26 October] on the measure, which is unlikely to pass. Canada also requires much more to cut ties with the British crown; such a decision needs the approval of both houses of parliament, as well as the consent of all the Canadian provinces, CBC News reported. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau rejected the Bloc’s effort on Tuesday, telling the House of Commons that the political party was ignoring more pressing issues, including inflation and rising costs of living.
Read the full article here: Al Jazeera