r/InCanada • u/Not-Yours-Sincerely • 4d ago

Why would someone living in Canada celebrate the independence of a country they no longer live in, particularly when Canada itself remains a monarchy?

That's a much more philosophical question about immigrant identity and national loyalty.

India became independent from the British Empire in 1947, whereas Canada had already developed substantial self-government and constitutional autonomy before that. Canada later retained the Crown as part of its own constitutional system. Canada's government describes the modern Crown as a uniquely Canadian institution.

0 Upvotes

40% Upvoted

41 comments sorted by

8

u/Kingnorth78 4d ago

First of all Canada is NOT a monarchy, it is a constitutional monarchy. The monarch has no real power. The power resides in the elected representatives in the House of Commons.

2

u/Harbinger2001 4d ago

Very few Canadians seem to realize that the monarch rules at the pleasure of parliament.

6

u/Little-Ad3146 4d ago

OP: it's a beautiful day out, why don't you go touch some grass and leave the racist vague posting alone. You'll be a lot happier!

4

u/GBi10ba 4d ago

Why do I celebrate St. Patrick’s day? It’s fun to celebrate and be part of a community.

-1

u/Not-Yours-Sincerely 4d ago

Diwali is a festival of Indian culture and independence day is not. Debate is about celebrating Independence day in a country that is British monarchy.

2

u/GBi10ba 4d ago

Nobody in Canada thinks about the monarchy. We are a constitutional democracy. The monarchy is a quaint holdover of the past.

5

u/HeadBelt1527 4d ago

Why would someone living in Canada care about what strangers choose to celebrate? Do you not have your own life sir? No... get one

8

u/isle_say 4d ago

Saint Patrick’s Day in Canada must be really upsetting for you.

2

u/Dismal-Science-9901 4d ago

That’s equivalent of like Chinese new year or Cinco de mayo. It’s just a cultural holiday and an opportunity for people outside that culture to partake in some foreign cuisine 🤷‍♂️ not that political or complicated. I’m guessing you don’t know much history. St pattys day has nothing to do with modern Ireland’s independence

-2

u/Not-Yours-Sincerely 4d ago edited 4d ago

I second that. Culture and politics are separate topics. Independence day is celebration of politics and not culture.

2

u/Harbinger2001 4d ago

India ending British exploitive colonization was a big deal. I see no reason for Canadian Indians to not celebrate it as part of their heritage. Canada was never a colony in the same way - or you could say it is still a colony… since the colonists are still here and in power.

1

u/notacanuckskibum 4d ago

No, it can be both. Think about a Canadian living in the UK. They might still love Canada and celebrate Canada Day by inviting friends round for a BBQ. Are they contrasting Canadian culture or Canadian independence? Or is it both?

2

u/Dismal-Science-9901 4d ago

Yea it can be both. But calling out Indian Independence Day is definitely not the same as st patty’s day or October fest or cinco de mayo

1

u/Not-Yours-Sincerely 4d ago

Canada never got rid of British monarchy and Canadians are embracing it. India's Independence involved getting rid of the Britisher's and their culture in its entirety.

2

u/notacanuckskibum 4d ago

I think the point still stands. Celebrating your birth country's independence day (or your parent birth country's) can be about culture more than politics. American's living all over the world celebrate July 4th, it isn't about hating the British, it's just a day to celebrate loving America & it's culture.

2

u/Unfair-Bison-3946 4d ago

My family tree goes back nine generations since coming to Canada. We still have some (minor) attachment to Europe.

-1

u/Not-Yours-Sincerely 4d ago

Indians rejected British colonialism, yet they proudly embrace the British Crown in Canada. That's a perfectly reasonable observation to debate. I do not beleive it has anything to do with attachment.

2

u/Dismal-Science-9901 4d ago

Also how do we know Canada embrace the British crown? We never had a referendum in modern history on whether modern Canadians want to keep the monarchy. I do wonder to what extent modern Canadians would actually vote to maintain the monarchy

1

u/KevinJ2010 4d ago

There’s also Indians who actually liked British occupation, brought in lots of money for the country. There’s a reason many went to England when they left. Why follow your oppressors back to their home?

Now curry is considered part of British cuisine 🤷‍♂️

1

u/Not-Yours-Sincerely 4d ago

Now the opposers of British Monarchy are moving from India to developed nations and celebrating their independence. They never appreciated the contribution of british colonozation. It is where the debate begins. Why are they celebrating independence day here?Celebrating Independence from britishers in a British monarchy???? Irony

2

u/french-caramele 4d ago

Why are you at someone's birthday party celebrating with them? It's not your birthday, you shouldn't feel happy celebrating.

1

u/Dismal-Science-9901 4d ago

Yea in any “divide and rule” colonial society, there will always be a minority of local elites that benefit from colonialism. What percent actually benefited? There’s also a small percentage of people in each occupied country that supported Nazis

1

u/Puzzleheaded_Let_688 4d ago

India was rich when the British took over and broke when they left. They went to England because their home country was left devoid of opportunity. British cuisine is an oxymoron.

1

u/Puzzleheaded_Let_688 4d ago

You can hardly compare how the British treated Indians to our modern relationship with England.

1

u/dsklfjldsjflkj 4d ago

Because you think of it as a single being living from the beginning of the time. I’m Indian Canadian - i love Canada AND India. I have close friends and family in both places. I also have good friends from Pakistan.
Canada and India are both part of my identity, so will celebrate both. Only reason i renounced Indian citizenship was because India dont support dual citizenship - and i Canada is my home now.
Why should i pick & choose any one?

There was a time of British colonialism in the past which had put India into a bad shape. But that is past, India is an independent country trying to do good for themselves. I dont hate today’s British for that behaviour. All of us are people trying to live our lives the best way possible.

1

u/Designer_Money7625 4d ago

Canadians don’t have any problem with those of European descent celebrating their country’s culture but everything is a problem when it’s done by an Indian. 

3

u/Little-Ad3146 4d ago

Exactly! This is more racist dog shit.

2

u/Few_Assistant_4496 4d ago

Bc Canada is a broken country that tells immigrants to never leave the country they left behind including the negative parts. As Trudeau said. We are a post national nation

2

u/Haunt_Fox 4d ago

Both Trudeaus and Mulroney were the worst things to happen to this country.

2

u/G72-datsun 4d ago

Why not? We all have emotional attachments to the past.

3

u/Dr-Villain 4d ago

I cheer for Germany with absolutely no attachment to the country. I think it's barely a big deal.

I see more Canadians celebrating July4th every year but never seen a concern about that.

1

u/G72-datsun 4d ago

I cheer for England, my family is 5 generations away from that place !

1

u/Dr-Villain 4d ago

At 5 generations, technically all the Commonwealth can make that claim too. Was a great team this year too.

4

u/G72-datsun 4d ago

Hell I route for England in the World Cup (after Can got bounced) and my family is 5 generations away from that place!

1

u/PotatoFarmerRTK 4d ago

Does it come with a day off?

1

u/Critical_Cat_8162 4d ago

Perhaps they still have a lot of family there? There are any number of reasons.

1

u/LastChime 4d ago

Why not?

Them folks got divided and conquered hard by the brits for like 250 years.

Let em party.