The vote on the oath to the king had just ended in the House of Commons. The predictable result was revealed. A majority of deputies, 197 against 113, had rejected the proposal of the liberal René Arseneault to no longer make the oath to the British crown compulsory in order to sit in Parliament.
As if overcome by too much emotion, a large part of the Conservative caucus sang the God Save the King. Which report? A patriotic rallying song for the monarchy that has become the national anthem of the United Kingdom. What is the relevance of blaring this anthem on the floor of the House of Commons of Canada?
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But why?
At best, it’s pure stupidity. As if we had chanted Na na na na hey hey Goodbye after a vote. You lost, we won! In this intoxication, the first song that came to their minds after saving the oath to the king was the hymn to the latter.
In another case, it is because these conservatives have such a deep and emotional attachment to the British crown that they have lost their bearings. The fear of sitting in the future alongside unbelievers who would not have taken the said oath made them lose rationality and judgment. Their vocal cords untied spontaneously upon seeing the result of the vote.
But in the worst cases, their attitude shows a certain contempt. Particularly with regard to the sensitivities of Acadians. It must be emphasized that this motion was not brought forward by the sovereignists of the Bloc Québécois as a snub to Canadian institutions.
The motion was presented by a New Brunswick MP of Acadian origin. Anyone who knows the history of the Acadians understands the lack of warmth that these people express towards the British monarchy.
Photo Agency QMI, PASCAL HUOT
The Acadians
The Acadians had been established in the Atlantic provinces since the founding of Port-Royal at the beginning of the 17e century. For 150 years, they had built houses, cleared land, founded villages.
In 1755, when they refused to bear allegiance to the British crown, a deportation order was decreed against the Acadians. Two thirds of the 18,000 Acadians were expelled from their land and put on boats. They are stripped of their assets. Their houses and other buildings are seized or burned.
Of the 12,000 deported, 4,000 to 5,000 found themselves without a homeland, scattered in the United States or elsewhere. The others did not survive, perishing from the cold, disease or shipwreck.
You imagine that for many Acadians, we will return to the king for love. This is the reason why Deputy Arsenault proposed making the oath to the king non-obligatory. A very reasonable position since he did not want to abolish it.
The attitude of the conservatives is difficult to explain. Whatever the source of their impetus to become this evil singing choir, the Conservatives are not helping themselves in Quebec. Because among the king’s victories celebrated in the text of God Save the Kingthere are the plains of Abraham…