Policy Resolution on Oaths

The following resolution is explicitly designed to solve the problems of prospective citizens who are uncomfortable with our oath of citizenship, or civil/public servants who are uncomfortable with our oath of allegiance, in a straightforward and easy to accomplish manner without beginning a long, bitter and possibly losing battle over abolishing the monarchy itself.

If you are currently a member in good standing of the Green Party of Canada, and would like to endorse this resolution, please email me at erich(at)barriegreens(dot)ca

Resolution:

Whereas Canada's current Oath of Citizenship is primarily an oath of allegiance to the monarch (Queen Elizabeth II and her heirs) with only secondary emphasis on Canadian values and laws, and

Whereas many civil or public service positions require holders to swear a similar Oath of Allegiance purely to the monarch (copied below), and

Whereas many prospective citizens are not comfortable with this oath, and many prospective public servants likewise, and

Whereas both oaths may be changed to something more appropriate by a simple act of Parliament, as was done by Australia in 1994 (copied below), not requiring any change to our Constitution or our system of government (including the monarch as purely symbolic head of state, with actual duties carried out by a Canadian Governor General appointed by the elected Canadian Prime Minister);

Therefore be it resolved that the Green Party of Canada will work toward changing the Canadian Oath of Citizenship and Oath of Allegiance to ones that refer to the Canadian constitution, government, and laws with no direct reference to the monarchy.

Background:

1) Current Canadian Oath of Citizenship

I swear (or affirm) that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada, Her Heirs and Successors, and that I will faithfully observe the laws of Canada and fulfill my duties as a Canadian citizen.

2) Current Canadian Oath of Allegiance (required for various government jobs or positions of public trust)

I, [name], do Solemnly swear (affirm) that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, Queen of Canada, Her Heirs and Successors according to law, forever. So help me God.

3) Current Australian Oath of Citizenship (previous to this, was essentially identical to ours; Australia also shares our head of state E II R)

From this time forward, I pledge my loyalty to Australia and its people, whose democratic beliefs I share, whose rights and liberties I respect, and whose laws I will uphold and obey.

4) Changing the Oath of Allegiance required of Members of Parliament and Senators would seem to require changing the Constitution.