By Canadian Press

Now not the time to talk about breaking with the monarchy, Trudeau says

Mar 9, 2021 | 11:42 AM

OTTAWA — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he’s not among those looking for a debate over the future of the monarchy in the wake of allegations of racism at Buckingham Palace. 

Accusations from Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, that racism was the driving force behind their exit from the Royal Family have set off a heated debate within the Commonwealth about future ties to the Queen.

Trudeau says his government won’t comment on the Royal Family, though wishes them well. 

He says he is focused on ensuring Canadians get through the COVID-19 pandemic while also fighting against racism and intolerance in Canada.

Trudeau says Canada still has work to do to eliminate discrimination and systemic racism in its institutions, but that’s doesn’t mean casting them aside and starting from scratch.

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Both the NDP and Bloc Québécois leaders say the allegations are further proof the monarchy is no longer relevant to everyday Canadians and should be abolished.

The Liberals are still working on replacing the Queen’s representative in Canada, the governor general, after Julie Payette resigned earlier this year following revelations of a toxic workplace at Rideau Hall.  

Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic Leblanc says while he’d hoped to have nailed down a replacement process a couple of weeks ago, the final pieces are now being put into place and should be unveiled imminently.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 9, 2021.

The Canadian Press