Outside Quebec, French speakers exhibit a stronger attachment to the monarchy compared to Quebecers.
French Canadians Outside Quebec May Not Unanimously Criticize King Charles III's Reign
While the monarchy has historically been viewed as a symbol of English oppression by some French Canadians, particularly outside Quebec, the institution now represents Canadian sovereignty for many. Philippe Mailhot, historian and francophone living in Western Canada, shares this sentiment.
"Although I was initially unsympathetic to the monarchy, I associated it with English domination," says Mr. Mailhot. Back then, he felt anger towards the anglophones, who he believed used the monarchy to assert their dominance.
However, he no longer views the monarchy in the same light, acknowledging that the English Canada from his youth no longer exists. "The king will come for a presentation, nothing more," he thinks.
King Charles III will deliver the Speech from the Throne in Canada, following an invitation by Prime Minister Mark Carney. This speech traditionally opens a parliamentary session and is written by the government in power.
The historian, who is not a monarchist, believes the king's visit symbolizes the separation from the United States, emphasizing the monarchy's continued relevance outside Quebec. French-speaking groups have shown support for the monarchy for several years, including during the Association of Francophones of Ontario's request to fly Franco-Ontarian flags at half-mast following the death of Queen Elizabeth in 2022.
Damien-Claude Bélanger, a history professor at the University of Ottawa, notes that the attachment to the monarchy among French Canadians outside Quebec has persisted throughout history. He attributes this trend to fears of annexation by the United States. After the Patriote movement in the mid-19th century, there was an "annexation crisis" in Canada, with both French and English Canadians fearing the annexation of the country by the United States. This time period marked the beginning of an increase in loyalist sentiment, but the sense of allegiance subsided in the early 20th century as the threat of annexation decreased.
In recent times, the monarchy has resurfaced as a point of discussion, driven not by French Canadian loyalty, but by broader national debates about the institution’s role and symbolism. The visit of King Charles III, along with rising U.S. political tensions, highlights the ongoing debate about the relevance of the monarchy in contemporary Canada.
"Despite his initial associations of the monarchy with French Canadians' historical feelings of English domination, historian Philippe Mailhot, now living in Western Canada, no longer perceives it that way, recognizing the transformation in English Canada and the monarchy's symbolic significance for the separation from the United States. Damien-Claude Bélanger, a history professor at the University of Ottawa, points out that this attachment to the monarchy among French Canadians outside Quebec has persisted throughout history, rooted in fears of annexation by the United States."
"The visit of King Charles III to Canada, marked by the delivery of the Speech from the Throne, underscores the ongoing debate about the monarchy's relevance in contemporary Canada, with French-speaking groups, such as the Association of Francophones of Ontario, vocalizing their support for the institution, reflecting broader national discussions about the institution's symbolism and role."
