The long-standing relationship between Canada and the queen — and the monarchy more generally — is being questioned right now...and by a brand new Canadian.

Yesterday, at a citizenship swearing-in ceremony in Toronto Dror Bar-Natan swore allegiance to the Queen of Canada, her heirs and successors. But he also had something to say.... after the oath.

I wish to affirm my allegiance, my true allegiance to Canada, and to the people Canada and to disavow the royalty part and only the royalty part of the citizenship oath. - Dror Bar-Natan at a citizenship swearing-in ceremony

Dror Bar-Natan on his way into our Toronto studio wearing the same sweatshirt he wore to his swearing-in ceremony yesterday. (CBC) Dror Bar-Natan is a professor of mathematics at the University of Toronto.

At his swearing-in ceremony yesterday, Dror Bar-Natan was ready for the cameras. He wore a red sweatshirt, with a rhetorical question printed on the back — It said, "Loyalty to Royalty? In 2015?"

Canada's allegiance to the King or Queen of England has been questioned before of course, but we thought it was a good time to revisit it today.



Because it is 2015!

Ashok Charles is a photographer who became a became a Canadian citizen in 1977 but 27 years later, recanted that part of his Citizenship oath in which he swore allegiance to the Queen.

is a photographer who became a became a Canadian citizen in 1977 but 27 years later, recanted that part of his Citizenship oath in which he swore allegiance to the Queen. John Pepall writes about politics and law and he's the author of "Against Reform."





This segment was produced by The Current's Sujata Berry and Karin Marley.



A Message from the Queen of England To Canada

The last word on this subject goes to Queen Elizabeth the Second, as channeled by the Kids in the Halls' Scott Thompson. A classic skit by the comedy troupe where the Queen is told that Canada will be abandoning the monarchy and so she delivers a message to her Canadian subjects.