OTTAWA -- Sidestepping commenting on the revelations in Oprah Winfrey's recent interview with Prince Harry and Meghan against other members of the Royal Family, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the solution is not to dismantle the monarchy.
Asked how he reconciles his support for the monarchy with his pledge to address the legacy of colonialism in Canada, Trudeau said the way forward is to root out the systemic racism that pervades institutions鈥攊ncluding Parliament鈥攔ather than abolishing them.
鈥淭he answer鈥� is not to suddenly toss out all the institutions and start over. The answer is to look very carefully at those systems and listen to Canadians who face discrimination every single day and whenever they interact with those institutions, to understand the barrier, the inequities and inequalities that exist within our institutions that need to be addressed, that many of us don't see because we don't live them,鈥� the prime minister said. 鈥淭hat's what fighting systemic discrimination is all about.鈥�
In the interview that aired in Canada on Sunday, several bombshell claims were made, including that a member of the Royal Family was concerned about how dark the Duke and Duchess of Sussex鈥檚 son's skin might be.
For many Black and racialized viewers, the two-hour broadcast was a high-profile example of the impacts of systemic racism.
Shortly after Trudeau鈥檚 remarks, Buckingham Palace issued a statement on behalf of the Queen saying in part that 鈥渢he issues raised, particularly that of race, are concerning. While some recollections may vary, they are taken very seriously and will be addressed.鈥�
Trudeau said that while he wishes all members of the Royal Family 鈥渢he very best,鈥� his focus is on getting the country through the COVID-19 pandemic and not starting a conversation about reinventing Canada鈥檚 system of government.
鈥淚 won鈥檛 comment on what's going on over in the U.K., but I will continue to endeavour to fight against racism and intolerance every single day in Canada,鈥� Trudeau said. 鈥淚f people want to later talk about constitutional change鈥� that's fine.鈥�
Trudeau鈥檚 not the only world leader to demure from commenting on the interview directly, with New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern saying that conversations about that country鈥檚 constitution are too significant to base on a TV interview.
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh weighed in, saying Tuesday that he doesn鈥檛 see the benefit of the monarchy.
鈥淣ow even more so with concerns about racism in the institution that were raised,鈥� Singh said.
If Canada was to embark down this road, Canadians should have a clear understanding of what the next steps would be, said former deputy prime minister John Manley in an interview with 麻豆传媒, noting that while a referendum would be an option it鈥檚 not constitutionally necessary.
鈥淭he process that would be required to change the role of the Crown in the Canadian constitution does involve all provinces approving it,鈥� Manley said. 鈥淚t's not a simple task, and it would require a broad view among Canadians鈥� that it was time to adopt a new method of choosing our head of state.鈥�
Canada is still without a full-time governor general since the departure of Julie Payette more than a month ago. For now Supreme Court of Canada Chief Justice Richard Wagner is fulfilling the role of administrator on an interim basis until Trudeau recommends a new Queen鈥檚 representative in Canada.
President of the Queen's Privy Council and Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc said Tuesday that while he鈥檇 hoped he鈥檇 have more to say on the process to name Payette鈥檚 replacement weeks ago, the government is 鈥済etting closer.鈥�
鈥淥ne element that remains to be finalized I understand is concluding, so I hope very soon we're in a position to talk about a potential process,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e recognize the importance of proceeding expeditiously because it's an unusual circumstance.鈥�
