Changing the Promise New Politicians Make
New Politicians' Promise Changed
This proposed law wants to change the official promise that Members of Parliament (MPs) make when they start their jobs. Right now, MPs promise to be loyal to the King of Canada. This proposed law would change the wording of that promise. Instead of promising loyalty to the King, they would promise to be loyal to Canada. This change would affect anyone who becomes an MP in Canada. That includes people from all political parties. It would also affect the King of Canada, since the promise would no longer be directed at him. This matters because the official promise is a symbolic but important part of Canadian government. Changing it could show a shift in how we see our country's relationship with the monarchy. Some people might think it's important to show loyalty to Canada first. Others might think the current promise is fine and reflects Canada's history.
Where this proposed law falls on the policy spectrums that Canadians care about
Changing the oath of office for politicians is a political reform, albeit a relatively minor one. It affects the symbolic and potentially the substantive commitments of elected officials, pushing slightly towards democratic reform.
This proposed law lets senators and members of parliament choose to swear an oath of office, in addition to or instead of the oath of allegiance. This gives them more flexibility in how they commit to their duties.
Things to Watch For
- The impact of choosing one oath over another is not defined.
- It's unclear if this change affects other oaths required in government.
- The law doesn't explain how this choice might affect public trust or perception.
Click any step to learn what it means
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Click any step to learn what it means
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How likely this proposed law is to be approved
This is a private member's proposed law that changes the constitution, and it's still at an early stage. Private member's proposed laws rarely pass, especially when they involve constitutional changes.
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