Citizens for a Canadian Republic

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Citizens for a Canadian Republic
Image:Citizens for a Canadian Republic.gif
Founded 2002
Headquarters Toronto
Key people Tom Freda National Director Pierre L. J. Vincent Associate Director
Focus Canadian Republicanism
Website www.canadian-republic.ca

Citizens for a Canadian Republic (CCR) is a non-partisan, not-for-profit Canadian organization founded in 2002 that advocates the replacement of the Canadian monarchy with a head of state who would either be chosen through a general election or elected by parliament. Models that the organization supports are former constitutional monarchies Ireland and India, both of which abolished their monarchies in favour of elected presidents, while retaining their parliamentary systems that have a prime minister as head of government.[1] The organization's general objective is "to promote discussion and help raise awareness of the clear advantages of amending The Constitution to allow for a democratically-chosen Canadian citizen to serve as head of state."

Contents

[edit] History

Citizens for a Canadian Republic was formed in 2002 "in an effort to provide balance in the debate over whether or not Canada should remain a constitutional monarchy"[2]

That same year, CCR became involved in O'Donohue v. Canada,[citation needed] a lawsuit filed by one of its members, Tony O'Donohue. This suit challenged the constitutionality of certain provisions the law governing succession to the Canadian monarchy, the Act of Settlement, 1701, which discriminates against Roman Catholics. O'Donohue argued that it thus violates the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The case was dismissed in 2003, and the dismissal was upheld in 2005.

[edit] Chapters

October 1, 2005. During the swearing-in ceremony of Governor General Michaëlle Jean on Parliament Hill, the Ottawa chapter of Citizens for a Canadian Republic demonstrated for the office to be elected and severed from the monarchy.
October 1, 2005. During the swearing-in ceremony of Governor General Michaëlle Jean on Parliament Hill, the Ottawa chapter of Citizens for a Canadian Republic demonstrated for the office to be elected and severed from the monarchy.

[edit] National organization

CCR's national director and principal anglophone spokesperson is Tom Freda. The associate director and principal francophone spokesperson is Pierre L. J. Vincent. Other prominent members of the group include O'Donohue, Professor Randall White and civil rights lawyer Charles Roach.

[edit] Affiliations

Logo of Common Cause
Logo of Common Cause

CCR is a member of Common Cause, an alliance of Commonwealth republican movements that seek to change their countries' status as Commonwealth Realms to Commonwealth republics. CCR is not affiliated with any political party.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Citizens for a Canadian Republic: National Defence Act needs to better reflect the times; October 28, 2006
  2. ^ Citizens for a Canadian Republic: Press Release: 4-10-02

[edit] External links

Languages