In a brand-new era of “dangerous and uncertain” times, King Charles III of Canada’s Parliament delivered a rare royal speech praising the nation’s sovereignty.
The alleged “Speak from the Throne” on Tuesday was a historic moment. It marked Charles’ first official address from Canada since becoming king, and Charles’ third official speech that kicked off the parliamentary session was delivered by a British monarch, not a lower official.
Charles sought to explain the occasion in an Ottawa Senate address as occurring during a similarly historic “epoch.” The disruptive policies of US President Donald Trump, who threatened to make Canada the “51st state” of the US, dominated the statements.
In 1957, in the wake of World War II and as the Cold War grew, the king brought back Queen Elizabeth II, his mother, who had delivered the first “Speech from the Throne.”
He claimed that the Vietnam War, the fall of the Berlin Wall, and the start of the war on terror have all been historical landmarks in the decades since.
“Canada is in a critical position right now. Since World War II, there has never been a more dangerous and uncertain place in the world. Canada is dealing with difficulties that are unheard of in our lifetimes.
What were the main conclusions of the speech?
Sovereignty
Although only once in the speech was directly mentioning the Trump administration, a significant portion of the policies have been implemented since Trump took office on January 20.
In his opening statements, Charles and his wife Camilla described “Canadians coming together in a renewed sense of national pride, unity, and hope” as “a deep sense of pride.”
The government is working to “protect Canada’s sovereignty,” he said, adding that the government is rebuilding, rearming, and reinvesting in the Canadian Armed Forces and strengthening alliances with Europe. “Democracy, pluralism, the rule of law, self-determination, and freedom are values that Canadians hold dear.
Justin Vovk, a royal historian at McMaster University in Ontario, said the speech added pressure to Canada as it was under US pressure. Charles would have had to “approve the speech,” even though the address was actually written by Canada’s government, led by Prime Minister Mark Carney.
Vovk remarked that he would have acknowledged his ease in repeating his words. It also affirmed that Canada does have its own identity on the global stage and that it is continuing to support its commitment to international cooperation.
Trade war
Vovk noted that Charles’ speech was notable for its careful treatment of the US, which was far from a tirade against Trump. That was especially true when Trump made references to the tensions that they have caused for the two long-term trading partners, particularly with regard to their tariffs on Canada.
Early on, Charles acknowledged that “the system of open global trade, which has contributed to Canadian prosperity for decades, is changing. The relationship between Canada and its partners is also changing.
In his only direct reference to Trump, Charles later praised the strengthening of Canada-US ties as an example of the new opportunities created by change.
He claimed that “the president of the United States and the prime minister of Canada have begun to define a new economic and security relationship between the two countries, which is based on mutual respect and has shared goals to deliver transformal benefits to both sovereign nations.”
According to historian Vovk, Vovk said that the speech struck that balance and was “actually quite remarkable.”
He claimed that there was a lot of emphasis on Canadian-American cooperation. Donald Trump should or will likely be pleased about a lot of the speech, he said.
Border problems
Trump’s mention of US-Canada border issues is one of the most notable messages.
Trump had demanded that Canada retaliate against immigration and drug trafficking, particularly fentanyl, at the border before imposing 25% tariffs on many Canadian goods.
Only 27 kg (59 pounds) of fentanyl were seized at the US-Canada border between 2022 and 2024, accounting for 0.1 percent of the drug’s seizures during that time, according to Canadian government data, making the pressure campaign extremely misguided.
Charles praised the soon-to-be-introduced legislation that would “enhance security at Canada’s borders.”
He added that law enforcement and intelligence agencies will have “new tools” to stop the flow of fentanyl and its precursors.
Charles also made reference to immigration, claiming that the government of Canada would “bring balance” to the situation.
That was in line with Carney’s campaign promise, which was to counteract opposition to former prime minister Justin Trudeau’s immigration policies.
domestically speaking,
The newly elected prime minister’s speech also addressed other important issues, including the Liberal Party’s 170 seats in the 343-member House of Commons in April, which the party won.
Charles cited Carney’s plan to ramp up construction of modular and prefabricated housing as well as the nation’s housing crisis. He cited efforts to “remove barriers to trade and labor mobility” across Canada’s 13 provinces.
He also made reference to energy projects’ plans to speed up energy development, claiming that the changes will “unleash a new era of growth that will ensure we don’t just survive ongoing trade wars, but emerge from them stronger than ever.”
Charles also cited the importance of Indigenous groups like the Metis and the Inuit, whose many agreements with the Crown date before Canada’s 1867 founding. He backed the groups’ ongoing efforts to “reparate” historical harm, or repair it, with the Canadian government.
The monarch proclaimed, “It is my great hope that in each of your communities and as a country as a whole, a path is found toward truth and reconciliation in both word and deed.”
Source: Aljazeera
Leave a Reply