This is a fantastic article. There certainly is a stigma associated with republicanism in Canada that has consistently stifled debate. Speaking as a Canadian, I think it probably comes from the fact that most of us associate republicanism with the United States. There is a genuine fear in Canada that if we debate republicanism, we’ll end up like our continental sibling. Hopefully, articles like Evan's will find there way to Canadians more often so we can have a real discussion on our national values!

The main reason why Canada does NOT embrace Republicanism is the constant example of her other close American neighbours form of government,which daily she compares with her own monarchial form.
Compared to the type of democracy demonstrated found in almost all British monarchy's, the American Republcan idea of democracy appears to come a very poor second or even third rate.
Jack of Bicton.

The author does not give any reason why a republic would be better than the status quo.

The classic, definitive difference between a monarchy and a republic was that in a monarchy, the government was privately owned by the monarch, whereas government is publicly-owned in a republic.

However it is not as though in practice the issue is that the Queen is treating the government of Canada as her private property. In practice she has no say.

And as a matter of symbolism, a republic could not be created by amending Canada’s constitution, because like ours, their Constitution involves a legislative Act of the imperial Parliament at Westminster. Thus any amended Constitution would still continue to derive authority from the Crown, defeating the symbolic purpose of the amendment. For Canada, or Australia, to become a republic, without roots in a monarchical Act, would thus require a declaration of independence as well as a new constitution expressed as deriving sovereignty from the people. This seems unlikely, especially as, in practice, Canadian and Australian government derives its sovereignty from the people now.

Several years ago Amnesty International published a quotation that, if I remember it correctly, stated that 62% of the world lived under a republican system where human rights were ignored.
Maybe our monarchial system isn't the best but where is the better model?
Funny how so many people want to migrate to Canada and Australia.
If it ain't broke, why 'fix' it?

One thing that never seems to be mentioned in the continuing sniping about a republic is what sort of republic is envisaged. It reminds me of a famous Polish joke which asked:

"What is the difference between a republic and a People's Republic?

the answer is:

"it's the same as the difference between a chair and an electric chair."

when the queen mother died, the CBC went to the extent of flying CBC news anchor Peter Mansbridge to read the news from the south bank of Thames - no-one here i spoke to found normal, not strange

republicanism is never on the agenda here - it's the canadians are worried that they'll have to elect judges, police chiefs, crown attorneys, oops, scratch that *crown* reference, district/provincial attorneys and so on

BTW, to become a citizen here, i have to swear allegeiance to the british monarch - ergo, i will never become a citizen. i will swear allegiance to canada, but not to the monarch of another country

i look for to the author's writings on other subjects common to australia and canada - multiculturalism, the state of the federation, citizenship issues

I disagree with the notion that "so many" people want to immigrate here. Just look at our population in contrast to the US and even the UK..almost invisible..and we're the worlds second biggest country! The multicultural immigration boom is a fairly recent phenomenon in our development, which probably has something to do with our growing global stature and Republican-like posturing. Much of the world doesn't realize that we're a constitutional monarchy.
For me, becoming a republic means being more connected to the land, the history, the myth, the people, and the idea Canada as a living thing. Right now, history constricts and mars artistic reflection and exploration into the timeless qualities of Canada. Art and kinship should be unique to us, not straddle the lines of colonial alliance and modernity. Much like the way "Americana" evokes a timeless and emotional quality. "Canadiana" is still an obscurely divided entity.

Republicanism is shamefully to taboo for our "democratic" country. But to emphasize what you said, I think we're just sh-t scared of becoming like the US.