Canada's Succession

From the Globe and Mail:
"Ottawa says it will defend new royal succession rules from Quebec challenge"

The federal government says it will defend its new royal succession law as the province of Quebec joins two Quebec professors who are mounting a constitutional challenge. “No constitutional amendment is required for Canada to give its assent to this U.K. legislation, and we are prepared to defend the Succession to the Throne Act, 2013 before Canadian courts,” Paloma Aguilar, spokeswoman for Justice Minister Peter MacKay, said Monday.  The legal posturing, a harbinger of a potential constitutional spat, erupted as Prince William’s wife, Kate, gave birth to a boy, now third in line to the British throne. The revamped succession laws would have had more application had the new royal baby been a girl because they modernize the previous rule of succession that allowed younger boys to leapfrog over their older sisters. Parliament passed Canada’s law in March. Canada joined 16 other Commonwealth countries, following a British request, to fast track royal succession laws. Last month, two Quebec professors filed a constitutional challenge of the Canadian law in Quebec Superior Court because the provinces were not consulted. Initially, the province of Quebec did not immediately align itself with the legal action. But that changed hours after reports emerged that the Duchess of Cambridge had gone into labour on Monday. A spokesman for Quebec’s attorney general told The Canadian Press via email that the province is “effectively” in the case. Paul-Jean Charest said the department would soon file a legal motion before the courts, and would make its position known then. Robert Finch, dominion chairman of the Monarchist League of Canada, said Monday he was aware of these legal developments. He said he support Canada’s position, but lamented the timing of the discussion. “The overwhelming majority (of people) are simply excited about the royal baby and aren’t getting too caught up with the legal nuances,” he said shortly after learning of the Quebec government’s intervention in the case on social media. “I’m surprised the Quebec government is coming late to the table to challenge it,” he added.

^ As I previously wrote, I don't see the Canadian Government in the wrong in this case. It seems that Quebec (as usually happens) is feeling left out and is trying to keep its name in the papers - especially with the new royal baby. ^

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/ottawa-says-it-will-defend-new-royal-succession-rules-from-quebec-challenge/article13351647/