Canadians don’t want Charles as king, poll suggests

Three out of five Canadians don’t support Charles as the King, according to a new poll from the Angus Reid Institute.

While almost 60 per cent say they’ll be watching the coronation next month, only nine per cent say they’re looking forward to it.

A graph showing Canadians’ attitudes toward King Charles ahead of his coronation in May. (Source: Angus Reid Institute)

Regardless of Canadians’ apparent attitudes toward the King, a member of the Monarchist League of Canada says the first coronation in 70 years will be worth watching.

“It’s a ceremony that’s rooted in deep tradition. It’s going to be a nod to the past. It’s going to be a nod to the future…And it’s a celebratory opportunity for all of us to come out of the mourning period from losing her late majesty last year,” the organization’s western Canada regional coordinator, Keith Roy, told CityNews.

In contrast, Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, President of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs, says he doesn’t care to watch the coronation, adding that the monarchy is archaic and crumbling after the Queen’s death.

“I wouldn’t cross the street to attend the coronation event,” he told CityNews.

“For Indigenous people, the British Crown represents colonialism and the terrible brutality of colonialism in the residential school and the taking away of our territories at the stroke of a pen through Royal Proclamations and declarations.”

Roy, meantime, says Charles has good relationships with Indigenous communities and shouldn’t be punished for his ancestors’ actions. He says the monarchy benefits Canadians because it keeps people in power in check.

“When you put constitutional monarchy as a system up against its alternatives, notably the American republican system, where the political leadership is also the head of state, and that their whole checks and balances system, I don’t think that’s worked out so well. I don’t think most Canadians would say, ‘no, things look better over there. Let’s do that instead,'” he said.

However, not all British Columbians appear to agree with Roy’s notion.

British Columbians voice mixed feelings on King Charles

CityNews spoke with people in Vancouver to get their thoughts on the monarchy two weeks ahead of Charles’ coronation.

“I’m indifferent towards the monarchy – especially in Canada. We don’t really care, do we? They’re just more like tabloid fodder. So that’s the only way I know anything about them,” one person said.

“Well, the monarchy has no use. We are in modern times. They are rather, parasites of society, I guess,” said another.

“I like Charles. I like him,” one man said. “He’s a nice man. He’s a good person. He cares for people. I think he’s fantastic.”

But for others, it’s hard to look past the institution’s history.

“It’s just a really dated institution that has committed a lot of harm in the world. And I don’t have a lot of time for that, and I don’t really want to celebrate that,” said another woman.

CityNews will be covering the coronation with renowned journalist Lisa LaFlamme joining as a special correspondent. Coverage will begin on May 3 with the event set to take place on May 6, starting at 1 a.m. PT on Citytv and CityNews 24/7.