Carlos III has spoken on Tuesday in favor of a “strong and free” Canada and has closed ranks with Prime Minister, El Liberal, on his first trip to the North American country since he was crowned as. Although he has avoided referring directly to the expansionist threats of the president of the United States, the king, who is also head of state of the former British colony, has assured before the Parliament that the Canadians face a “critical moment” and has urged them to be “guardians” of the defense of principles such as pluralism, the rule of law, self -determination and democratic values.
Carlos III’s visit has marked a milestone as it is the first time in 48 years that a British king reads the so -called throne speech, a document detailing the priorities that the new Canadian government will have. The gesture occurs in the midst of hostilities between Canada and the United States, fed by Trump’s threats to turn their neighbors into the American Union.
The tensions for the expansionist discourse of the Republican president have been spurred by the clashes between Trump and the former prime minister. These differences continued with their successor, Carney, winner of the elections last April.
The visit has been an initiative of the new Canadian leader, who has extended a direct invitation to Carlos III. The British monarch has traveled to the North American country on twenty occasions. “Every time I come to Canada, a little more from Canada enters through my veins and goes straight to my heart,” said the head of state, accompanied by his wife, Queen Camila.
In reading the document prepared by the Prime Minister’s team, Carlos III has affirmed that both countries “have begun to define a new economic and security relationship based on mutual respect and shared interests.” The monarch has also highlighted that the Canadian government “works to strengthen its relations with commercial partners and reliable allies.” “We will trigger a new era of growth that ensures that we will not only survive the current commercial wars, but that we will emerge stronger than ever,” said the monarch.
Tensions between Carney and Trump
Analysts in Canadian media have mentioned that the invitation of the Prime Minister mainly obeyed two reasons: refer to particular elements of Canadian history and underline the sovereignty of the country, in a context of tensions with Trump, also marked by ads of reciprocal tariff loads. During his visit to the White House on May 6, Carney told Trump that, but at the same time he offered to work together on a battery of themes.
“Canada has the opportunity to undertake the greatest transformation of its economy since World War II,” said Carlos III, in another section of the speech, which alternated paragraphs in English and French, the official languages of the country. Then, he has cited various priority points for the Carney government, such as housing, interprovincial trade, energy transition and the reduction of several taxes. The government strategy of the liberals, the monarch has insisted, is to “spend less and invest more.”
The speech has marked the beginning of Legislature number 45 of Canada. The last time that the head of the monarchy read the document was in 1977, when Isabel II delivered the list of priority issues of the government of Pierre Trudeau, father of Justin Trudeau.
Canada is a parliamentary democracy whose state headquarters falls to the King of England. In turn, the monarchy is represented in the country by the governor general, Mary Simon. 83% of Canadians were indifferent to the participation of Carlos III in this event, according to a survey of the Angus Reid Institute published this week.
Carney won the elections by moving the idea that it was the best option to deal with Trump’s attacks and to relaunch the economy. However, Carney liberals govern in a minority, so they require the support of conservatives, the new democratic party or the Quebequés block to carry out any project or allow the continuity of their government to censorship motions.
Carlos III and Queen Camila arrived in Ottawa on Monday. The couple was received at the Canadian capital airport by the Governor General and Prime Minister. A delegation of the Canadian indigenous groups and representatives of the Armed Forces also participated in the delegation.
That same day, the monarchs visited a market, attended an indigenous dance show and planted a tree in Rideau Hall, the official residence of the governor general. Subsequently, the King of England held private meetings with Carney and Governor Simon. This Tuesday, after reading the throne speech, the Kings deposited a floral offering in the monument to the fallen at war, before taking the flight back to London.
