The Monarchist League of Canada

	Learn About the Canadian Crown About the League - Coat of Arms - Directory & Branches - Documents - Events & Special Messages Arguments for the Crown Canadian Monarchist News Frequently Asked Questions Message Board Quotable Quotes Related Sites		THE MONARCHIST LEAGUE OF CANADA WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO HOW TO JOIN WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR THE CAUSE The League is an organization of Canadians whose object is to support the full expression and better understanding of the benefits of Constitutional Monarchy to this country. Founded by John Aimers in 1970, the League became federally incorporated as a non-profit society in 1976. Around that date, many Lieutenant Governors began to grant Patronage to the League. In 2000, the Canadian Heraldic Authority granted its Arms which, by permission of Her Majesty The Queen, include the use of the Royal Crown. Currently, the League is governed by a Board of Directors, as outlined in its constitution. Robert Finch, Chief Operating Officer, sees over the day-to-day business of the League and is supported in this effort by Vice-Chairman Gavin Guthrie and Education Co-ordinator Nathan Tidridge. Encompassing some 17,000 members across Canada, many of whom are organized into local branches or contact groups, the League has always been watchful of attacks on the Crown. In the 1970s the Trudeau government began the process of removing symbols of the Crown. The League acted quickly to oppose the mid-70's constitutional amendment projects which would have made the Governor General the head of state. This work continued in December, 2004, without Parliamentary debate or public discussion, the Martin government stripped The Queen's name from Canadian diplomats' Letters of Credence and Recall and substituted the Governor General's name. While maintaining a lively defence of any inaccurate attack of the Monarchy, the League's emphasis now centres on its educational and media presence. On occasion the League works cooperatively with members of an informal grouping known as the Loyal Societies Educational work is carried out through our web site, designed and maintained by volunteers. The web site serves as a central resource for enquirers as well as the major recruitment tool for new members. In addition, the League has published "The Canadian Monarchy" - a educational booklet distributed nationally to help inform Canadians about their unique form of government. Canadian Monarchist News, the League's periodical, is published around three times annually, and combines original research, reporting on the Canadian Crown, as well as membership news. The League has also gained national stature, becoming known as the voice of intelligent debate and opinion on our constitutional monarchy. Particular successes in some campaigns have given the League a reputation for possessing clout and exercising it effectively. Some of these accomplishments have included the exposure, then reversal, of the government's plan to abolish the Victoria Cross as Canada's premier decoration for gallantry; the maintenance of the Oath of Citizenship as an Oath to The Queen, despite innumerable government "study groups" and "white papers" proposing abolition; compelling Canada Post to issue a definitive first-class stamp of HM as a mandatory item to be available at all postal outlets; and forcing Canada Post to reverse its original decision not to issue a special stamp to honour Queen Elizabeth's 100th birthday. The League also supports a vibrant Young Monarchist Group led by Tom Richards, Graeme Scotchmer and Dan Whaley. Conferences sponsored by the Young Monarchists meet annually (In 2006 they met in Ottawa) to discuss issues impacting the monarchy from their perspectives. Youth members are also nominated to become interns each summer to the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario; such members have served the Lieutenant Governors of British Columbia and Nova Scotia, as well. The League attempts to present the positive face of the Canadian Crown as an essential part of national identity. It works with all elected officials of all political parties in an attempt to cement the role of the Monarchy as the big tent under which every member of a diverse society can find his equal and respected place. It has had bilingual letterhead from its inception, and has translated its website into French. The League website was developed in 1996, enhanced by a message board in 2000. The League maintains a close relationship with Rideau Hall via Her Excellency's Private Secretary and the Chancellery; and it enjoys similar relationships with the Lieutenant Governors and the Department of Canadian Heritage. In 2002, over 130 members were awarded the Golden Jubilee Medal, many on the League's nomination. A full CHRONOLOGY outlining in some detail the League's varied activities over the last 35 years is available by clicking on this link. ~ ~ ~ Though by no means a "dining-out" society, amongst the special visitors the League has welcomed to gala occasions marking Royal or League anniversaries are the following: 1985 -15th anniversary of League's founding - Countess Mountbatten of Burma 1992 - Ruby Jubilee of HM's Reign - King Michael of Romania, with Queen Anna & Princess Margarita 1995 - 25th anniversary of League's founding - Lloyd Robertson, CTV News Anchor 2002 - Golden Jubilee of HM's Reign - HE The Governor General of Canada 2002 — Organized the cross-country Jubilee tour of HRH Prince Michael of Kent who undertook 60 engagements in 11 days - including League functions in Toronto, Calgary & Victoria 2003 - Golden Anniversary of The Coronation - HRH The Duke of York 2004 - 34th anniversary of League's founding - HRH The Princess Royal (Princess Anne) 2005 - 35th anniversary of League's founding - TRH The Earl & Countess of Wessex The Queen Has Asked For Our Support: Join Us ! "I will continue to do my best ... and hope you will continue to give me your help" were the Queen's stirring words to Canadians in Toronto in 1973. In HM's 2001 Christmas Broadcast, she declared, "With your prayers, and your help...I shall try to serve you in the years to come." One of the most effective ways of supporting the Constitutional Monarchy is membership in The Monarchist League of Canada. The league is the only organisation in Canada solely dedicated to upholding and explaining our Constitutional Monarchy. We invite all those who believe in our principles to join the Monarchist League of Canada, by clicking here. The League is financed through the generosity of its members and receives no public subsidies. *What You* Can Do** Public opinion does make a difference: * Write letters supporting or defending the Monarchy to newspapers, magazines, federal, provincial and municipal politicians. * Encourage local educational authorities to present an informed programme of study about Monarchy in schools. * Ask your minister, priest or rabbi to include prayer for the Queen and the Royal Family in every service. * Insist that God Save the Queen be sung whenever O Canada is sung. * Demand postage stamps with the Sovereign's picture. * Encourage the celebration of Victoria Day as the reigning Sovereign’s birthday.(Victoria Day is a double holiday. It is the annual celebration of the Queen's birthday, fixed on that day in 1957, and also marks the anniversary of Queen Victoria's birth.) * Suggest that streets, public buildings or new projects be named after the Queen and members of the Royal Family. * See that monarchical and historical buildings and monuments are kept in good repair. * Present pictures of the Queen, framed or foam-core mounted if possible, to organisations you are associated with, post offices libraries, police stations, fire halls, council chambers and other visible locations in your community. * In short, keep the Monarchy visible.
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