Editorials - May 23, 2025

When King Charles III delivers the Speech from the Throne on May 27, it will be only the third time in Canadian history that a reigning monarch has done so. The last occasion, in 1977, marked Queen Elizabeth II’s final throne speech in Canada. Nearly half a century later, her son will sit in the same chamber, delivering words that will set the tone for a new session of Parliament.

 

That sentence alone is enough to stir debate. Some will ask, why must we cling to the Monarchy? Others will celebrate the symbolism of a sovereign setting foot in our capital. But whether one sees the Crown as an outdated vestige or a dignified cornerstone of our system, this visit is worth our attention. The institution of constitutional monarchy in Canada is often misunderstood. While critics rightly point out its colonial roots and the need to engage in continued dialogue around reconciliation, the role of the Crown in Canada is not an imposition of British authority. It is a Canadian institution, reshaped over time, embedded in our Constitution and represented not by a foreign ruler but by the Governor General, who serves on our soil as the embodiment of the head of state.

 

Yet on this rare occasion, the embodiment is literal. The King of Canada will be physically present to read the government’s agenda. He will deliver a speech not of his own making, but drafted by the elected government, laying out its goals and priorities. It’s a reminder that the Monarchy in Canada exists not to wield power, but to frame it; to lend a sense of continuity, legitimacy and ceremony to our democratic process.

 

If the Crown is going to be part of Canada’s political future indefinitely, it should be expected to show up on occasion. – SBS

U.S. President Donald Trump has, apparently, effectively bullied CBS into falling into line. While the network has denied it, there are reports that it is working towards a settlement with the president on a “meritless’ lawsuit over a 60 Minutes segment with Kamala Harris that he says was manipulated to cheat him out of the election (that he ended up winning). Bill Owens, 60 Minutes executive producer, resigned amid what he described as a loss of editorial independence and now Wendy McMahon, CBS News president and CEO, has followed suit, saying that she does “not agree on the path forward” with the company, though there are other reports saying she was forced out. 

 

McMahon has been described by those who worked with her as a champion for important, challenging journalism and as a person who had the backs of her reporters in the face of pressure from corporate overlords, tough subjects and, yes, even the president.

 

Trump is aiming to influence all aspects of storytelling, propping up those who agree with him and grinding down those who don’t until they bow to his power. And, despite legal experts siding with the media on these baseless lawsuits, the federal government will always have the deeper pockets, controlled by a vindictive, power-hungry leader.

 

These are scary days to be in the truth-telling business. – SL 

Bruce Springsteen stood onstage in Manchester recently and did what he’s always done: spoke plainly, poetically and without fear. “Corrupt, incompetent and treasonous,” he called Donald Trump, to a roar of applause. The response from Trump was, unsurprisingly, swift and ugly: he called Springsteen “dumb as a rock” and warned him to “keep his mouth shut” until he returns to the United States.

 

But Springsteen is not just another celebrity with an opinion. He’s a near-universally respected artist, known the world over as the voice of the American everyman. His music has consistently championed the working class, the forgotten and the betrayed. When he speaks about democracy and civil rights, it carries weight because his entire career has been built on telling hard truths beautifully.

 

His stand in Manchester belongs to a long tradition of artists who have used their platforms to resist fascism and injustice. Picasso’s “Guernica” is a howling indictment against the bombing of civilians. Woody Guthrie famously travelled with a guitar labelled “This Machine Kills Fascists”. TV on the Radio, one of the most innovative bands of the 21st century, have infused their music with urgent messages about racism, authoritarianism and the deepening fractures in American society. These artists remind us that protest and art are intertwined.

 

Springsteen’s recent warnings aren’t just political, they’re moral. He’s calling attention to human rights abuses happening now: people removed from American streets without due process, civil rights being rolled back and leaders abandoning the poor and vulnerable.

 

Trump’s attacks are designed to silence dissent, to discourage others from speaking out. But Springsteen’s defiance proves that some voices won’t be bullied. In standing up to Trump, Springsteen isn’t just defending himself. He’s defending the right to dissent. And in doing so, he reminds us what real patriotism sounds like. – SBS