History, Institution and Costs of the Canadian Crown
This section presents the key points of a presentation produced by the Crown Society of Canada, covering the history, functioning and real costs of the Canadian Crown. Browse the slides below using the arrows.
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Crown Society of Canada
Who Are We?
Non-profit organization founded in Quebec City in 2021 to promote Canada's constitutional monarchy. Present throughout the country, primarily in Quebec, Ontario and New Brunswick.
✦ Official partner for the King Charles III Coronation Medal.
✦ Agreement with Heritage Canada — distributor of the Canadian royal portrait.
Our Mission
- 1Support His Majesty King Charles III, his heirs and Canada's royal representatives.
- 2Protect Canadian heritage: history, culture, customs and monarchist assets.
- 3Promote constitutional monarchy and the Commonwealth.
- 4Offer Canadians a dynamic national network for sharing and engagement.
- 5Educate the public on Canada's constitutional monarchy.
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Foundations of the Monarchy in Canada
👑 Constitutional Monarchy
Since Confederation in 1867, Canada has been a constitutional monarchy. The King is Head of State, represented federally by the Governor General and in each province by a Lieutenant Governor.
⚖️ Constitutional Role
All federal and provincial laws receive Royal Assent. The government officially bears the title "His Majesty's Government."
🍁 His Majesty King Charles III
Succeeding his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, Charles III has been King of Canada since September 2022. Official title: "Charles the Third, by the Grace of God, King of Canada."
🌐 Commonwealth of Nations
Canada is an active member of the Commonwealth. Canadians pay nothing for the upkeep of royal residences located outside Canada.
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Cost of the Monarchy in Canada
Breakdown of Federal Expenditures
GG salary ~$350,000/yr, staff, residences (Rideau Hall, Citadelle de Québec).
Lt. Gov. salary ~$170,000/yr + operation of provincial offices.
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Cost by Province and Territory
| Province | Budget (approx.) | Cost/capita | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prince Edward Island | ~$490,000 | $3.35 | Highest per capita |
| Nova Scotia | ~$981,320 | $0.95 | Significant viceregal expenditures |
| New Brunswick | ~$700,000 | $0.88 | Bilingual province |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | ~$450,000 | $0.85 | Atlantic province |
| Saskatchewan | ~$920,000 | $0.78 | Prairie province |
| Manitoba | ~$900,000 | $0.64 | Central province |
| British Columbia | ~$1,400,000 | $0.58 | 3rd most populous |
| Ontario | ~$2,800,000 | $0.18 | Most populous province |
| Alberta | ~$620,000 | $0.14 | Low spending |
| Quebec | ~$1,302,572 | $0.09 | Lowest per capita |
Sources: Journal de Montréal (March 2025), Crown Society of Canada. Approximate figures.
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Cost per Capita — Provincial Comparison
Quebec has the lowest per capita cost — the gold bar represents it.
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Context: The Value of the Crown
Comparison of public institution costs ($ per Canadian / year)
💡 The constitutional monarchy is one of the least expensive institutions in Canada — 20 times cheaper than CBC/Radio-Canada. A republican system would entail significantly higher institutional costs.
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Replacing Monarchy with a Republic: Same Costs
Abolishing the monarchy does not mean savings.
e.g. Barbados: 232,047 BBD, before = after (2022-23)
Royal Assent, dissolution, appointments: identical
State House, Bridgetown: GG → President, same location
💡 Core Principle: abolishing the monarchy does not eliminate the Head of State position. A republican president assumes the same functions, receives an equivalent salary and occupies the same residences. Barbados proved this in 2021: budget remained identical at 1,103,920 BBD.
🔄 The Transition Costs More: studies estimate the republican transition at between $800M and $3B for Canada. These one-time costs are added to a budget identical to today's — zero recurring savings.
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Concrete Examples: Republics with Identical Costs
🇧🇧 Barbados (2021)
Monarchy (before Nov. 2021): GG Dame Sandra Mason, salary 232,047 BBD, State House residence.
Republic (after Nov. 2021): President Dame Sandra Mason, salary 232,047 BBD, State House residence. ⇒ Savings: $0
🇩🇪 Germany and Austria
Federal republic with a ceremonial president. Official Bundespräsidialamt budget: €44.98M (2023) and €47.09M (2024) — over CA$70M/year. Costs greater than those of the Canadian Crown.
📊 Conclusion: in all these countries, the republican transition has not reduced Head of State costs by a single cent. The argument that "the monarchy is expensive" is refuted by the facts — and the transition bill would be several billion dollars.
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Origins of the Monarchy in Canada
Since 1534 — an uninterrupted royal presence for nearly 500 years
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Why the Monarchy in Canada?
🏗️ A Deliberate Founding Choice
In 1867, the Fathers of Confederation deliberately chose constitutional monarchy over the American republic.
⚖️ A Non-Partisan Arbiter
The King acts as a neutral arbiter above political parties, ensuring no prime minister becomes authoritarian.
🛡️ Guardian of Responsible Government
The Crown ensures the prime minister remains accountable to the elected Parliament.
🌐 Continuity and Stability
The monarchy ensures state continuity independent of electoral cycles.
🍁 Canadian Identity and Heritage
The Crown is present in the laws, military, RCMP, Supreme Court, passports and banknotes.
📊 An Effective and Recognized Monarchy
According to the UN, constitutional monarchies rank among the best governed countries in the world.
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Can the Monarchy be Abolished in Canada?
Unanimity Formula — Section 41 of the Constitution Act, 1982
🔒 Why It Is Nearly Impossible
🗳️ Requires agreement of the federal Parliament AND all 10 provincial legislatures.
🚫 Since 1982, NO amendment requiring unanimity has ever succeeded (Meech Lake 1990, Charlottetown 1992).
⚖️ According to expert Emmett Macfarlane: "Canada arguably has the most difficult constitution to amend in the world."
🍁 Quebec: The National Assembly unanimously adopted (106 votes) in May 2025 a motion to sever ties with the monarchy — a symbolic gesture, as the office of Lieutenant Governor cannot be abolished without the consent of all provinces.
⚠️ A province cannot abolish the monarchy unilaterally: the office of Lieutenant Governor requires the unanimous consent of all provinces and the federal Parliament.
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