How much Canada 'pays' for the royal family after 'misconceptions' addressed
King Charles arrived in Canada this weekKing Charles and Queen Camilla are in Canada this week for a brief, two-day trip that coincides with the opening of the Canadian Parliament.
King Charles is head of state in Canada. But does it work the same as it does in the UK, with British taxpayers paying towards the royal family? Read on to find out…
How much does Canada pay the royal family?
Unlike the UK, Canada doesn’t pay anything towards the royal family.
Canadian taxpayers do not contribute anything towards the royal family’s income, and they do not support royal residences outside of Canada.
However, according to the Monarchist League of Canada, Canadians do pay a little towards the royals, though indirectly.
In 2023, the pro-monarchy group calculated that in the 2019-20 fiscal year, the country’s ties to the royal family cost taxpayers more than $58.7 million (£31.5m). This worked out at $1.55 (£0.83) per Canadian.
Though the money doesn’t go directly towards the royals, it does contribute towards covering travel-related expenses when they visit, maintaining historical buildings and running the Governor General’s office. The Governor General is the monarch’s top representative in Canada.
Canada’s contribution to the royal family
Speaking to Canadian news outlet, CTV News, in 2023, Monarchist League of Canada’s chairman, Robert Finch, said: “Two of the most common – and incorrect – assumptions are that the monarchy costs too much money and that Canadian taxpayers directly pay members of the royal family.
“We decided to tackle these misconceptions and produce regular reports to show that Canadians get pretty good value for their monarchy.”
Nelson Wiseman, a professor emeritus in the University of Toronto’s department of political science, said that even if Canada got rid of the monarchy, it’d end up paying similar costs to appoint a president as head of state.
“The only costs we pay are if the royals come to Canada, we pay for lunch. If you get invited some place, they cover the costs,” he told CTV.
What is King Charles doing in Canada?
Charles is currently in Canada to deliver a Speech from the Throne ahead of the opening of the Canadian Parliament.
Canada’s House of Commons and Senate cannot conduct any public business until the Speech from the Throne is made.
The speech is usually delivered by the Governor General. They read it on behalf of the Prime Minister to set out the government’s agenda when a new parliamentary session is going to begin.
However, on this occasion, Canadian prime minister Mark Carney has invited Charles to inaugurate the new parliament.
It’s the first time the monarch has delivered the Speech from the Throne since 1977, when Queen Elizabeth II did so.
She also previously did so in 1957 with Prince Philip at her side.
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