Canada’s Supreme Court has rejected an appeal to remove the country’s citizenship oath, which requires applicants to swear allegiance to Queen Elizabeth II. The appeal was launched by three permanent residents who wanted to obtain citizenship but not pledge allegiance to the UK monarch.
Native-born Canadians do not have to take any oath and the plaintiffs say the vow violates religious and conscientious beliefs.
Australia, also a constitutional monarchy, scrapped its pledge to the monarchy 20 years ago. Government lawyer Kristina Dragaitis argued the monarchy symbolizes the Constitution, the rule of law and the right to dissent. She said, the appellants are taking a « literal approach » to the oath.
The Supreme Court has not given any reasons for refusing to hear the appeal.
