How are Canadians affected by the Death of Queen Elizabeth II?

By: Khadija Nadeem, Gr 10
As the news of Queen Elizabeth II’s death goes around, many are taking the opportunity to reflect on her legacy. But Canadians around the country wonder how the change in our nation’s sovereignty affects citizens. First and foremost, because of the new change in power, the King of Canada is now Charles III who is the previous Queen’s son. His succession requires no formal action by the Canadian government, members of the Legislative Assembly, Senate, and Parliament do not have to take an oath to the newly appointed King. However, officers of the crown, who are essentially legal advisors to the royal government, will have to take a new oath to King Charles III. Furthermore, immigrants becoming new residents will now be taking their oath to the King instead of the Queen, and the language of the oath promptly changed in accordance with the update. In terms of public display of mourning, Canada will not be going
into a 12-day period like the United Kingdom is but flags will be at half-mast and black may be draped over any portraits of the Queen to signify respect for her passing. Most are concerned about the name and images of the Queen that are prominent throughout our money and legal and government documents. Anything with the Queen’s symbol will not be invalidated, but
slowly, the image and name of the King will slowly start to be seen throughout our daily lives. This not only includes legal documents and money, but also stamps, citizenship documents, and oaths of allegiance. Nonetheless, the change will come slowly to our country and Canadians can be assured that any change will be minimal seeing that our relation to theomachy is purely formal and drenched in tradition.