Yesterday was Queen Elizabeth the Second's 89th birthday. For 63 years Her Majesty has reigned as sovereign of the United Kingdom and the dominions, of which we are one. Her reign has not always been easy, but it can be said that even the most ardent republicans have come to see her as a wise and stable figure in the world. By her grace and effort, it may well be supposed that the monarchy will endure for years to come, which is good news for all of us.
While it might sound strange to modern ears, nothing else in our governmental structure makes quite as much sense as the Monarchy and its attached Royal Family. The fact of the matter is as one scans the globe, elected heads of state don't necessarily make for better rulers and even in the most democratic countries, constitutions ensure that executive powers revert to a single individual in emergency situations. Our ancestors understood this, and so from one family power and responsibility flow equally, for sovereigns are the guarantors of their people.
Further to this point, the Queen, or her designated representative, provides stability to the government in a way elections and party politics never can. It is well known that in both the UK and Canada, the final signature for legislation has been withheld on a few choice occasions in order to ensure that injurious laws did not come into effect. There is no constitutional method in Canada or England to force "royal assent", as there is in the United States to overpower a Presidential veto, which I believe is to the public's great benefit and security.
Of course, there are some in Canada who would do away with our monarchical trappings, as if to do away with the old and ring in the new will somehow make us more democratic. But that would be an act of great disrespect to our ancestors, United Empire Loyalist and Aboriginal alike; both of them fought against American expansion in 1812 and it is to the agreements between Crown and Chiefs that we owe our much less violent history between Aboriginals and settlers in Canada, especially when compared to the United States.
All in all, it must be said that we are fortunate to have our current Queen, and even more fortunate to have the institution of the monarchy. With far seeing eyes, our royal personages have helped carry their charges into the unknown future with an eye towards tradition and the lessons learned in the past. Long may she reign over us, and God save the Queen!
