Canadians more open to cutting ties with monarchy, but still support Queen: poll

The Angus Reid poll found a majority of Canadians support countries like Barbados and Jamaica's recent moves to abolish the monarchy, and are open to doing the same.

Canadians are growing more open to severing ties with the British monarchy, a new poll suggests, despite an ongoing affection for Queen Elizabeth herself.

The new Angus Reid poll — released Thursday on the Queen’s 96th birthday — found while 51 per cent of Canadians are against continuing as a constitutional monarchy, nearly two-thirds still view Elizabeth favourably.

Close to 60 per cent also said they would be at least somewhat affected by her passing away.

“For the vast, vast majority of Canadians, she is the only monarch they have ever known in their lifetimes,” said Shachi Kurl, president of the Angus Reid Institute.

Canadians may want to keep it that way, the poll suggests.

Close to three out of five Canadians who responded said Commonwealth countries that have taken steps to cut ties with the monarchy, like Barbados and Jamaica, have made the right decision. Only eight per cent said it was the wrong step.

Last year, Barbados officially became a republic and removed the Queen as head of state, a move it has cast as a way to finally break with the demons of its colonial history.

Jamaica said it was heading in the same direction during a Royal visit by Prince William and Kate Middleton in March. That visit, meant to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee for 70 years of rule, was met with protests and backlash from locals in Jamaica and other Caribbean countries they visited.