ALASTAIR GRANT
Although some Canadians carp about our monarchical system of government as a needless, useless extravagance in recessionary times, a recent analysis of its cost shows that the whole royal and vice-regal structure is one of the most economical dimensions of our entire vast and complex political network.
According to the Canadian Monarchist News, our constitutional monarchy costs only $1.52 per citizen per year - less than the price of a hamburger. Far less, if it's a good one.
That includes the Queen herself when she's in this country (and she has visited Canada more times than any other part of the Commonwealth) or doing something specific for us. Plus the cost of visits here by Royal Family members, five of them in 2007, Prince Harry doing some of his military training in Alberta. When the "Royals" are not here, they cost Canadians zilch.
But much more, it includes the cost of those who not only represent the Queen officially (the governor-general in Ottawa and the lieutenant-governors in the provinces) but perform all the acts the Queen would if she were here all the time: signing legislation into law, appointing ministers to the cabinet, convening Parliament and dissolving it, calling elections, inviting the prime minister and the premiers to form governments, being commander-in-chief, and so on and on - that is, for a start. But just for a start. There is more. Much more.
The G-G and the lieutenant-governors appear at all kinds of official and community events to demonstrate their significance to our national and civic life. That can mean Her Excellency representing the Crown at the annual Remembrance Day service in Ottawa next November. It can also mean Ontario's Lieutenant-Governor David Onley gracing the opening event of Mad Pride on July 14 at Metro Hall to support people with mental and emotional traumas.
And in case any of us think those are rare moments, research conducted by Eugene Berezovsky and commissioned by the Monarchist League of Canada tells us that in 2007, the Governor-General and lieutenant-governors attended 4,360 events - an average of 84 per week, or 12 a day.
Add to all those public appearances what they have to do "at the office" - such as, signing official documents, receiving VIP visitors, hosting receptions - and it's clear they have full-time jobs.
It's clear that at $1.52 per citizen per year, we're getting a bargain. Yes, some Canadians do not like the monarchy for reasons that have nothing to do with money. That's fair and their arguments should be considered with respect. But one argument none of us should make is that the Queen and her representatives put much of a hole in our collective pocket book.
Reginald Stackhouse is principal emeritus and research professor at Wycliffe College, University of Toronto.