George Chuvalo was Canada's heavyweight boxing champion as both an amateur and a professional, and twice fought Muhammad Ali. He speaks in schools about the ravages of drug use, and is currently writing his autobiography.
Are you a monarchist?
I was when I was a kid. I used to sing God Save the Queen every day at school.
How about now?
I don't sing it any more! When I think of the monarchy, I think of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip. I've met them a couple of times. Both very nice people, but a little on the stiff side. When you look at Prince William and Kate, it's more like a fairy tale.
Does the modern world need fairy tales?
The world does need fairy tales because real life is sometimes difficult to take. People like those stories. It's a love story.
Would you care if the monarchy were abolished?
I think the monarchy is important for what they stand for. The tradition. Some people would say they stand for not too much, they don't have much power any more. But Kate Middleton and William are young and they are fresh and there is an uplifting of spirit when you see them. I think they'll be a boon to people who believe in them.
A boon to Canadians?
To people anywhere. People like them. Nothing in the media that has portrayed them as anything but likeable.
Did you watch William and Kate's wedding?
I saw it after. The highlights.
Will you stand in the crowd to watch when they visit?
If my wife wanted to, I'd go. Out of deference to the Queen and Prince Philip, I think I would.
A Quebec politician recently described the royal newlyweds as "parasites" for touring at taxpayer expense. Harshly put, but would you agree?
Well, if they lift up a nation's spirit, it's a good thing. I don't know how well they are going to do in Quebec. They still remember the Plains of Abraham. Maybe even in Alberta. Other places, I think they'll be royally welcomed.
Canada will surely recoup the costs associated with a royal tour in worldwide publicity and a subsequent boost in tourism. But is such economic justification needed?
The government throws away lots of money on a lot of things. So they throw a little money here, and people will feel good. It's a win-win situation. There will be some who will say the royal couple have no business being here, but most people will welcome them, be glad they're here and will enjoy their stay, especially old-timers like myself.
Old-timers aside, might William and Kate reinvigorate interest in the monarchy in the younger generation?
A new generation is going to be thrilled to see the fairy-tale princess. When we saw Diana, it was like a break with tradition, and it feels like Kate Middleton might keep in the mould that Diana set. Kind of a rebirth of Diana, as I see it.
She is a very beautiful, very clean-cut young lady, and she looks like a nice person. William has the right look, the right attitude, and there's also something quite humble about him.
Do you envy the royals their role? It's not a job I'd want.
It would be sheer drudgery. You always have to be smiling or appear to be smiling. You always have to be friendly and shaking hands and always have to be on your best behaviour. You can't afford any faux pas.
It especially doesn't seem a job for a young man and his bride.
Definitely not. When you see William, he is always smiling, but it looks like he is really smiling. It doesn't look forced. He looks like he is enjoying himself, in a crazy kind of way.
Does Canada need the monarchy?
I don't think Canada needs the monarchy, but we remember our history. What kind of power does the monarchy have? They're not muscled up any more. It's not the same as it was. It's just they're lifting up the spirit. It puts the whole country in a joyous mood - most of us anyway - and it is going to be fun to watch them in different parts of the country.
They don't have to make any life-shattering decisions. They are symbolic of a time gone by and, to me, they make people feel better, especially if you are an Anglo-Canadian, which I'm not.
There is so much in the memory bank with respect to a royal couple in this country. As a link to the past. As a link to my past. I still think of our devotion to the monarchy and to the Queen. [Sings] "… our gracious Queen,/ Long live our noble Queen,/ God save the Queen."