Royal tour tab: Canadian taxpayers likely to pay big bill
Royal tour tab: Canadian taxpayers likely to pay big bill
Canadian taxpayer should expect to pay a healthy bill for Prince William and Kate’s whirlwind royal tour of British Columbia and Yukon later this month.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge‘s children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, will also be along for the trip. And anyone who travels in Canada knows a vacation for a family of four isn’t cheap - especially when you have security detail and dozens of events to attend.
While the costs of the upcoming Canadian tour won’t be revealed until after the eight-day trip, past royal visits have yielded hefty price tags.
Will and Kate’s 2011 tour cost $1.2 million, a two-day visit by Princess Ann last year cost $128,000, and the Queen’s 2010 nine-day tour came in at $2.79 million, the Ottawa Citizen reports.
The tour costs are simply part of what Canadians sign up for as long as they support the monarchy, says the Canadian Taxpayer Federation‘s federal director Aaron Wudrick, but they must remain within reason.
“We have to be mindful of the cost,” said Wudrick.
While the world is watching, Canada has to put its best foot forward. Still, the old days of pomp and circumstance are largely behind us.
“Most Canadians struggle to travel themselves, it can be very expensive, and we have many other competing priorities for that money. So I think we need to strike that balance,” said Wudrick.
Transparency to taxpayers on the royal tour’s cost is key, said Wudrick.
“We have to go into it with eyes wide open,” said Wudrick. “As long as we know the real cost and we make the decision with that knowledge.”
Problems arise when the visit is estimated to cost one amount, which quickly balloons.
The tour’s costs will be shared by the federal, B.C. and Yukon governments.
One silver lining - communities will likely see a boost to the local economy as the wildly popular royals attract tourism dollars.
Will, Kate and family will be in Canada from Sept. 24 to Oct. 1 and take part in more than 30 engagements. The Royals will stop in a number of communities including Victoria, the Okanagan and Whitehorse.
“Along the way they will meet as many Canadians as possible, and will help celebrate Canada’s First Nations communities, its arts and culture, pristine and beautiful environment, and its compassionate and innovative charitable sector,” the Kensington Palace website states.
The trip will be Princess Charlotte’s first tour abroad and Prince George’s second.
SOURCE.
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OP: The following article is a bit old (i.e. 2009) but I did find it interesting to see people wondering whether the current institutions actually serve Canadians.
NB: For non Canadians, I should mention/explain a few things.
Canada did not have a revolution to separate from England, in the way that the U.S. did. Because of this, it still retains many formal ties with the U.K. Officially, the head of state in Canada is actually the British monarch (i.e. currently Queen Elizabeth II). (Of course, the actual running of the country is carried out by the elected figures such as the prime minister of Canada.) (See this reference.)
There are also institutions which represent the Crown in Canada (i.e. particularly the governor general who "[carries] out the tasks of the monarch (...) on Canadian soil"). Each province also has a lieutenant-governor. It should be noted that these figures are NOT elected by the public.
I should also note that questions have been raised regarding the amount of taxpayer monies spent by such (named, not elected!) figures in the past. (Quebec's former lieutenant governor Lise Thibault, was even found guilty of fraud: "The judge in Thibault's fraud case said there was no question about Thibault's intentions when she stole $429,676 from the provincial and federal governments over seven years by claiming reimbursements for things she should not have claimed as expenses". (From this reference.))
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Queen costs us more than the Brits pay
Over the past 10 years, the Canadian cost of supporting the monarchy has more than doubled
Robert Finch has a favourite saying: “For the price of a cup of coffee, Canadians can enjoy the stability of the Crown.” By this, the chief operating officer of the Monarchist League of Canada means that the monarchy costs Canadians only $1.53 per capita each year, about the price of a large cup of joe at Tim Hortons. But in fact, Canadians are now paying more per capita to support the Queen than the British are.
According to the latest figures out of Buckingham Palace, while Canadians are shelling out $1.53 per capita, the British are only paying about $1.32. And the Monarchist League’s own numbers show the Canadian cost is skyrocketing. Over just the last 10 years, the per capita bill for supporting the monarchist framework- including expenses incurred by the royal clan on Canadian soil, as well as the cost of running the offices of the Governor General and our 10 provincial lieutenant-governors-has more than doubled.
Finch says that the climbing costs reflect the fact that the Queen’s reps are taking on more active roles, with heightened responsibility and more travel time. While that might be costing Canadians a few extra pennies, he stresses that the monarchy “is not a very expensive operation.” But Tom Freda, national director of Citizens for a Canadian Republic, is not so sure. “Ah, the Monarchists. They love to break it down to per capita and make it sound all nice and rosy,” he says. “But $40 million or $50 million [a year] sure sounds like a lot to me.” The Monarchist League supports that figure, estimating that about $50,147,000 was spent during the 2006-07 year.
The problem, Freda says, is that Canada effectively has two heads of state: the Queen and the Governor General, as well as a band of provincial reps. And that overlap creates “redundant and obsolete positions” that end up costing Canadian taxpayers big bucks. The Queen’s agents need to learn a lesson in frugality during these tough times, he argues, especially since most of the work done by the lieutenant-governors is already handled by deputy premiers and other officials. Freda says it is “exorbitant,” for example, that the Ontario lieutenant-governor employs nine staff members, and “shocking” that the B.C. office shells out piles of cash each year to run a 102-room official residence for its lieutenant-governor. As for the “highly irrelevant” Governor General? “The Governor General has literary awards and cuts ribbons and plants trees and travels to Nunavut and eats seal meat. But what else?”
Finch counters that the Crown’s stabilizing presence is worth the money. He accounts for Canadians’ more sizable bill with more mundane explanations: our smaller population, for instance. He also explains that Brits have the home court advantage when it comes to the monarchy, since the U.K. receives income tax from royal estates and we don’t. In the end, it’s a small price to pay, he says, to safeguard Canada’s democratic tradition.
Despite such arguments, it seems like Freda and his Canadian Republicans are winning in the court of public opinion. According to a Canada Day poll by Strategic Council, only 30 per cent of Canadians feel a connection to the Queen or Governor General. And 65 per cent think ties to the monarchy should be cut once the Queen dies.
Freda cites numbers like that as support for his group’s radical proposal to completely overhaul the system. He calls for the Governor General to be replaced by “a wholly Canadian institution”-an independent head of state, accountable only to Canadians. Sure, he admits, that would still cost money. “But Canadians wouldn’t mind spending on an institution that they can call their own.”
While $1.53 may not get you very far at Tim Hortons, Freda hopes the escalating cost of supporting the Queen will set the wheels of change in motion. It’s not even about the money, he says. “It’s the 21st century. If we’re going to be an independent country, we bloody well better act like it.”
SOURCE 2.
---------------------------------
OP: I just wanted to raise the question. I understand that many Canadians feel that ties to the English monarchy are very important (I will admit that I REALLY don't feel this way, but I can respect the fact that not everyone will agree with me).
What I really want to question however, is whether (i) royal visits funded by Canadian taxpayers and (ii) institutions such as the post of governor general are really worth it for Canadians.
I would honestly like to see a good economic analysis of whether these visits and institutions provide a real benefit to Canadians. (=I haven't found any, but perhaps I didn't look in the right place(s)).
I feel the need to ask this because I can't help but feel that if there is ANYONE who SHOULD be able to pay for their own travel costs, it should be the English royal family (or so it seems to me).
I'm honestly curious to read people's opinions (i.e. Canadian and not). :-D
Canadian taxpayer should expect to pay a healthy bill for Prince William and Kate’s whirlwind royal tour of British Columbia and Yukon later this month.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge‘s children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, will also be along for the trip. And anyone who travels in Canada knows a vacation for a family of four isn’t cheap - especially when you have security detail and dozens of events to attend.
While the costs of the upcoming Canadian tour won’t be revealed until after the eight-day trip, past royal visits have yielded hefty price tags.
Will and Kate’s 2011 tour cost $1.2 million, a two-day visit by Princess Ann last year cost $128,000, and the Queen’s 2010 nine-day tour came in at $2.79 million, the Ottawa Citizen reports.
The tour costs are simply part of what Canadians sign up for as long as they support the monarchy, says the Canadian Taxpayer Federation‘s federal director Aaron Wudrick, but they must remain within reason.
“We have to be mindful of the cost,” said Wudrick.
While the world is watching, Canada has to put its best foot forward. Still, the old days of pomp and circumstance are largely behind us.
“Most Canadians struggle to travel themselves, it can be very expensive, and we have many other competing priorities for that money. So I think we need to strike that balance,” said Wudrick.
Transparency to taxpayers on the royal tour’s cost is key, said Wudrick.
“We have to go into it with eyes wide open,” said Wudrick. “As long as we know the real cost and we make the decision with that knowledge.”
Problems arise when the visit is estimated to cost one amount, which quickly balloons.
The tour’s costs will be shared by the federal, B.C. and Yukon governments.
One silver lining - communities will likely see a boost to the local economy as the wildly popular royals attract tourism dollars.
Will, Kate and family will be in Canada from Sept. 24 to Oct. 1 and take part in more than 30 engagements. The Royals will stop in a number of communities including Victoria, the Okanagan and Whitehorse.
“Along the way they will meet as many Canadians as possible, and will help celebrate Canada’s First Nations communities, its arts and culture, pristine and beautiful environment, and its compassionate and innovative charitable sector,” the Kensington Palace website states.
The trip will be Princess Charlotte’s first tour abroad and Prince George’s second.
SOURCE.
-------------------------------
OP: The following article is a bit old (i.e. 2009) but I did find it interesting to see people wondering whether the current institutions actually serve Canadians.
NB: For non Canadians, I should mention/explain a few things.
Canada did not have a revolution to separate from England, in the way that the U.S. did. Because of this, it still retains many formal ties with the U.K. Officially, the head of state in Canada is actually the British monarch (i.e. currently Queen Elizabeth II). (Of course, the actual running of the country is carried out by the elected figures such as the prime minister of Canada.) (See this reference.)
There are also institutions which represent the Crown in Canada (i.e. particularly the governor general who "[carries] out the tasks of the monarch (...) on Canadian soil"). Each province also has a lieutenant-governor. It should be noted that these figures are NOT elected by the public.
I should also note that questions have been raised regarding the amount of taxpayer monies spent by such (named, not elected!) figures in the past. (Quebec's former lieutenant governor Lise Thibault, was even found guilty of fraud: "The judge in Thibault's fraud case said there was no question about Thibault's intentions when she stole $429,676 from the provincial and federal governments over seven years by claiming reimbursements for things she should not have claimed as expenses". (From this reference.))
-------------------------------
Queen costs us more than the Brits pay
Over the past 10 years, the Canadian cost of supporting the monarchy has more than doubled
Robert Finch has a favourite saying: “For the price of a cup of coffee, Canadians can enjoy the stability of the Crown.” By this, the chief operating officer of the Monarchist League of Canada means that the monarchy costs Canadians only $1.53 per capita each year, about the price of a large cup of joe at Tim Hortons. But in fact, Canadians are now paying more per capita to support the Queen than the British are.
According to the latest figures out of Buckingham Palace, while Canadians are shelling out $1.53 per capita, the British are only paying about $1.32. And the Monarchist League’s own numbers show the Canadian cost is skyrocketing. Over just the last 10 years, the per capita bill for supporting the monarchist framework- including expenses incurred by the royal clan on Canadian soil, as well as the cost of running the offices of the Governor General and our 10 provincial lieutenant-governors-has more than doubled.
Finch says that the climbing costs reflect the fact that the Queen’s reps are taking on more active roles, with heightened responsibility and more travel time. While that might be costing Canadians a few extra pennies, he stresses that the monarchy “is not a very expensive operation.” But Tom Freda, national director of Citizens for a Canadian Republic, is not so sure. “Ah, the Monarchists. They love to break it down to per capita and make it sound all nice and rosy,” he says. “But $40 million or $50 million [a year] sure sounds like a lot to me.” The Monarchist League supports that figure, estimating that about $50,147,000 was spent during the 2006-07 year.
The problem, Freda says, is that Canada effectively has two heads of state: the Queen and the Governor General, as well as a band of provincial reps. And that overlap creates “redundant and obsolete positions” that end up costing Canadian taxpayers big bucks. The Queen’s agents need to learn a lesson in frugality during these tough times, he argues, especially since most of the work done by the lieutenant-governors is already handled by deputy premiers and other officials. Freda says it is “exorbitant,” for example, that the Ontario lieutenant-governor employs nine staff members, and “shocking” that the B.C. office shells out piles of cash each year to run a 102-room official residence for its lieutenant-governor. As for the “highly irrelevant” Governor General? “The Governor General has literary awards and cuts ribbons and plants trees and travels to Nunavut and eats seal meat. But what else?”
Finch counters that the Crown’s stabilizing presence is worth the money. He accounts for Canadians’ more sizable bill with more mundane explanations: our smaller population, for instance. He also explains that Brits have the home court advantage when it comes to the monarchy, since the U.K. receives income tax from royal estates and we don’t. In the end, it’s a small price to pay, he says, to safeguard Canada’s democratic tradition.
Despite such arguments, it seems like Freda and his Canadian Republicans are winning in the court of public opinion. According to a Canada Day poll by Strategic Council, only 30 per cent of Canadians feel a connection to the Queen or Governor General. And 65 per cent think ties to the monarchy should be cut once the Queen dies.
Freda cites numbers like that as support for his group’s radical proposal to completely overhaul the system. He calls for the Governor General to be replaced by “a wholly Canadian institution”-an independent head of state, accountable only to Canadians. Sure, he admits, that would still cost money. “But Canadians wouldn’t mind spending on an institution that they can call their own.”
While $1.53 may not get you very far at Tim Hortons, Freda hopes the escalating cost of supporting the Queen will set the wheels of change in motion. It’s not even about the money, he says. “It’s the 21st century. If we’re going to be an independent country, we bloody well better act like it.”
SOURCE 2.
---------------------------------
OP: I just wanted to raise the question. I understand that many Canadians feel that ties to the English monarchy are very important (I will admit that I REALLY don't feel this way, but I can respect the fact that not everyone will agree with me).
What I really want to question however, is whether (i) royal visits funded by Canadian taxpayers and (ii) institutions such as the post of governor general are really worth it for Canadians.
I would honestly like to see a good economic analysis of whether these visits and institutions provide a real benefit to Canadians. (=I haven't found any, but perhaps I didn't look in the right place(s)).
I feel the need to ask this because I can't help but feel that if there is ANYONE who SHOULD be able to pay for their own travel costs, it should be the English royal family (or so it seems to me).
I'm honestly curious to read people's opinions (i.e. Canadian and not). :-D