Citizens for a Canadian Republic
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Citizens for a Canadian Republic (CCR) is a non-partisan, not-for-profit Canadian organization founded in 2002 that advocates the abolition of the monarchy in Canada and its replacement with a president who would either be chosen through a general election or elected by Parliament.
The republican movement in Canada has gained an increased following in recent years, citing former politician John Manley as an endorser. CCR is the only republican organization in the country.
It maintains active chapters in Fredericton, New Brunswick; Montreal, Quebec; Ottawa, Toronto, and Hamilton, Ontario; Edmonton and Calgary, Alberta; and Vancouver; with operations and activities supported by members and donors.
The organization's general objective is "to promote discussion and help raise awareness of the clear advantages of amending The Constitution to allow for a democratically chosen Canadian to serve as head of state."
The group has been supportive of former Toronto City Counsellor Tony O'Donohue's legal challenge against the Act of Settlement barring Roman Catholics from the throne and sought but failed to obtain intervenor status in O'Donohue v. Her Majesty The Queen.
CCR's national director and principal anglophone spokesperson is Tom Freda. The associate director and principal francophone spokesperson is Pierre L. J. Vincent. Other prominent members of the group include O'Donohue, Professor Randall White and civil rights lawyer Charles Roach.
CCR is a member of Common Cause, an alliance of Commonwealth republican movements who seek to change their country's status as Commonwealth Realms to Commonwealth republics.
[edit] See also
- Republicanism
- Republicanism in Canada
- Monarchy in Canada - debate
- Monarchist League of Canada - The organization's counterpart on the monarchist side of the debate.
