My Take: By Quinn Ruby

While it is important to pay respect to our country’s history and traditions, swearing an oath of allegiance to the Crown is an outdated practice. Let’s be honest here: it’s a mere formality. It’s silly to have to pledge allegiance to a monarchy that has little to nothing to do with our country besides the word ‘Commonwealth.’ If politicians are willing to pledge their allegiance to the country they’ll be serving and that country only, it really shouldn’t be an issue. If anything, it almost makes more sense to not feel any kind of loyalty toward a country on the other side of the world. Additionally, many people have a complicated relationship with the Crown due to its involvement with the colonization of First Nations peoples. No one should have to pledge allegiance to an institution whose values they don’t support, no matter the reason.