JUDELINE TYABJI: Today is the first time I have felt that as a Constitutional Monarchy, Canada has a much stronger place in the world

When I was a young MLA, I was outspoken about the irrelevance of the Canadian connection to the British monarchy, and I wanted to abolish the Canadian Senate. I felt both were a waste of money, and from a western perspective, not useful.

Today is the first time I have felt that as a Constitutional Monarchy, Canada has a much stronger place in the world, and we are all protected in this institution in a way that we would not be if we were independent. It's a bit like insurance, you can grumble about paying for it until the day you need it. And then, you realize it's worth all the years of premiums.

Reconciliation is happening. At every step in the opening of parliament, Indigenous leaders and Indigenous culture was featured. The best part? It felt natural and meaningful. What an enormous change in the past fifty years.

|For the first time in Canadian history, the King of Canada opened our parliament by reading the Speech from the Throne. I paid attention to the response of members of the public, including the anti-monarchy protesters, and the interaction of the many senior institutions of our country: the elected House of Commons MPs, former Prime Ministers, the entire Supreme Court, a large and diverse delegation of Indigenous leaders, the head of our military, our Governor General, the RCMP procession, and many others.

I can truly say that today is a very good day to be Canadian. The history, the global connection, the respect of our unique heritage, and the content of the Speech from the Throne were all part of a message that we all need to share at this transitional time in human history. The fact that the King recognized Indigenous rights was deeply significant.

Together, we are stronger.

Here are some images from today.

I am happy for all opinions to be shared in this discussion, provided they are civil.

About Judeline

I am a business owner/operator and management consultant. I am a mother and grandmother. I was elected in 1991 to the BC legislature as the Liberal MLA for Okanagan East (Kelowna), and elected to Powell River council in 1999, during which time I also served on the Powell River Regional District. I am an author of four books: Political Affairs (1994), Daggers Unsheathed (2002), Behind the Smile (2016) and That's Rich, the Rise and Fall of the BC Liberals (2024). I was host of "Tyabji" a live, one hour weekday TV show on CHEK TV from 1996 to 1998, and radio host of "The Judi Tyabji Show" in Kelowna from 1994 to 1996. I have also worked in other radio positions, including in the newsroom, and written for newspapers and magazines. Since 2001 I have worked in business as an owner/operator, in management consulting (domestic and international), software development, property development, marketing, sales, and multimedia. I edited the art book Sgaana Jaad, April White, Killer Whale Woman and published it in 2008. In the past, I have served as a campaign manager for several provincial, federal and municipal elections. I worked for the Liberal Party of Canada in Vancouver as the Executive Assistant to the National Revenue Committee in 1987. I have a political science degree from the University of Victoria, focusing on International Relations.