MPs Vote Down Bill to Make Parliamentary Oath to King Charles III Optional
• A group of MPs voted to kill a bill that would have allowed parliamentarians to opt out of swearing an oath of allegiance to King Charles III. This was a victory for monarchists seeking to preserve the Crown's role.
• The bill would have allowed MPs and senators to instead swear an "oath of office" stating they will act in Canada's best interest while upholding the Constitution.
• Supporters viewed the oath as outdated and violating free speech, while opponents saw it as an attempt to slowly dismantle the monarchy and Westminster system.
• Polls show Canadians divided on whether to cut ties with the monarchy, with higher support for change in Quebec. Constitutional change is unlikely though.
• King Charles has deep ties to Canada, having toured the country many times. He has been praised for sharing Canadian values like climate action and reconciliation.