OTTAWA — The Trudeau government plans to redesign the Canadian crown that sits on the Royal Coat of Arms following the Coronation of King Charles III by removing all religious symbols.
According to the National Post, the Canadian Heraldic Authority, the body responsible for granting coats of arms in Canada, will replace the St. Edward’s Cross which has been on the Coat of Arms since 1957 with what critics call “the Trudeau Crown.”
The new design is further expected to remove all religious symbols, replacing crosses and fleur-de-lis with maple leaves, snowflakes, and stars, which is causing some to accuse the Liberal Party of politicizing the symbol of the Crown and the Royal Coat of Arms.
“It means the proposed Canadian crown is totally unconnected to the King or the coronation, and it means the unity of the symbol of the Royal Crown that represents the sovereign throughout the realms will be broken, further distancing the King and the monarchy as an institution,” commented Christopher McCreery, author and expert on Canada’s relationship with the Crown.
“In essence, it is akin to a new national flag being raised on Canada Day, with no consultation or debate, developed in secret by those who wish to advance their personal vision of the country,” he added.
The Reform Party Leader Preston Manning challenged the decision, asking then Heritage Minister Michel Dupuy to whom Canadian symbols belong: “To the sovereign, to the government, to some Liberal backbencher or to the people of Canada? Why were the people of Canada not consulted and involved in changes to the Canadian Coat of Arms?”
While the changes must ultimately be approved by the English Monarch, King Charles III has little actual power to overturn the decision if the new design is actively promoted by the Canadian government.
The original Canada Coat of Arms was adopted by proclamation of King George V in 1921. In 1994, an inscription was added reading: “Desiderantes Meliorem Patriam,” which means “Desiring a Better Country” from the Epistle to the Hebrews.
