King Charles III: "The True North is Strong and Free"
King Charles addressed the changing relationship between Canada and the U.S. in a rare speech to the Canadian parliament Tuesday, saying that the Canadians can "give themselves far more than any foreign power on any continent can ever take away,” and warns of a "dangerous and uncertain world."
King Charles, who serves as Canada’s head of state, made his first trip to Canada as king and became the first monarch since 1957 to preside over the opening of a new Canadian parliament.
The opening was attended by legislators, Indigenous leaders, and dignitaries, and King Charles began by paying tribute to the Indigenous peoples of Canada.
"Canada is seeing a renewed sense of national pride, unity and hope at a critical time," King Charles III said with Queen Camilla by his side.
True North
He then addressed the uncertain times and challenges facing Canada, without mentioning Donald Trump's recent threats to make Canada the 51st state of the United States, but the strong message from the king was still clear.
“The True North is indeed strong and free,” he said, referring to the Canadian national anthem.
Values which Canadians hold dear and ones which the government is determined to protect
"We owe it to this generation and those who succeed us to think and act for the greater good of all while the world faces unprecedented challenges generating uncertainties across the continents with regards to peace and stability, economics and climate change."
Changing world
The king also spoke of democracy, pluralism, the rule of law, self-determination and freedom that "are values which Canadians hold dear and ones which the government is determined to protect."
And he warned of a changing world, both in trade, but also in relationships with friends and partners.
"The system of open global trade, which, while not perfect, has helped to deliver prosperity for Canadians for decades, is changing. Canada’s relationships with partners are also changing. We must confront the reality that since the Second World War, our world has never been as dangerous and unstable," King Charles said.
Challenges
But in change lies opportunity, the king believes.
UK-Canada Relations
Canada is a constitutional monarchy.
Canada was once a colony of Britain, but unlike many of England’s other former colonies, Canada never made a sharp, clean break with the motherland.
Canadian independence evolved slowly under British colonial supervision, and Canada’s system of government was largely modeled after Britain's, including a role for the British royal family.
Although Canada now has full political independence from the U.K., the British monarchy is still part of the Canadian political system to this day, in an unusual state of affairs that is sometimes described as a “shared monarchy” between Canada and Britain.
Under the terms of the Canadian Constitution, the king or queen of the United Kingdom will always be recognized as the king or queen “of Canada".
This arrangement allows Canada to remain under the British royals, while simultaneously allowing Canada to argue that it has its own independent monarchy.
That means King Charles must consider his role as Canada’s king distinct from his role as Britain’s king.
A country that shares the British monarch as its head of state is called a Commonwealth Realm. There are 15 in all.
"Canada is now facing challenges which are unprecedented in our lifetimes. An opportunity for Canada to embark on the largest transformation of its economy since the Second World War".
"All Canadians can give themselves far more than any foreign power on any continent can ever take away, and that by staying true to Canadian values Canada can build new alliances and a new economy that serves all Canadians."
The king also offered an olive branch to his neighbor to ease the tension.
“The prime minister and the president of the United States have begun defining a new economic and security relationship between Canada and the US, rooted in mutual respect and founded on common interests, to deliver transformational benefits for both sovereign nations.”
Protection
King Charles ensured that the Canadian government would protect the sovereignty of Canada by rebuilding, rearming, and reinvesting in the Canadian armed forces, working closely with European partners, as the Canadian North is "facing new threats."
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"It will spur the expansion of the Canadian defense industry by taking part in the Rearm Europe plan and will thus contribute alongside European partners to transatlantic security and it will invest to strengthen and boost Canada's presence in the north because this region which is an integral part of the Canadian nation is now facing new threats."
He said the government will discharge its duty to protect Canadians and their sovereign rights from "whatever and wherever challenges may come from, at home or abroad, to keep communities safe."
New polling
The speech from the throne is typically given by the governor general and is meant to outline the government’s plans for the next session. The speech is written by the prime minister’s office in consultation with staff at the king’s office.
King Charles' first visit to Canada as Head of State might be his last. Not only because of his age - he is 76 - but also because over half of the Canadians participating in a new poll said the royal family should not play a prominent role in Canadian society.
