Wednesday February 26, 2020
Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday February 26, 2020
Indigenous MPP says singing God Save The Queen in legislature ‘a step backwards’
Members of Ontario’s legislature began a new tradition Monday of singing God Save the Queen in the chamber, which an Indigenous politician said is a step backward for reconciliation.
Young Doug Ford: The Series
The legislature recently adopted a host of procedural rule changes, including singing the royal anthem in addition to the Canadian national anthem on the first Monday of each month. It was sung
Monday for the first time since the legislature resumed from the winter break and the new rule went into effect.
Sol Mamakwa, a New Democrat who represents the northern riding of Kiiwetinoong, with a majority Indigenous population, said it was hurtful to hear the anthem.
“As a First Nations person, as a colonized person, it’s a step backwards when we talk about reconciliation,” he said.
Mamakwa, a Kingfisher Lake band member, said he would prefer instead to see some type of acknowledgment to First Nations people in Ontario.
British Monarchy Merch
“I see the revival of God Save the Queen in this house as a step backwards, a shift from modern reconciliation to a past that celebrated the colonialism, that sought the destruction of cultures, languages and communities,” he told the legislature before question period.
“For me, singing God Save the Queen is a celebration of a hurtful and violent colonial past. I cannot be part of it.”
Government house leader Paul Calandra said singing the anthem is a show of respect for the Queen of Canada, who has served for 68 years.
“I believe that Her Majesty … was the first person to show reconciliation to the First Nations,” he said. “Many of our past monarchs didn’t do that. But Her Majesty, over 68 years, has had and continues to have a very special relationship with our First Nations.”
Calandra noted that the NDP didn’t flag it as an issue during debate over the rule changes, though the Liberal and Green members raised it with him in private. (CBC)