Support for the monarchy increasing in Quebec

From reading recent news reports, one would think that the anti-monarchy sentiment is on the rise in Quebec.

On Tuesday, PostMedia News reported six Quebec MPs turned down Jubilee medals handed out by the Canadian government in protest of the $7.5 million Ottawa intends to spend on monarchy celebrations.

CTV News reported that amid the jubilee hoopla, one nationalist group, Montreal's Societe Saint-Jean-Baptiste, anno0unced plans for anti-Queen celebrations.

But according to Robert Finch, chairman of the Monarchist League of Canada, anti-monarchy sentiment is actually in decline in La Belle Provence.

"While support for the monarchy is lower in Quebec compared to the rest of Canada, it's actually on the rise. Witness last year's huge, enthusiastic crowds in Quebec City to greet Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge. It's been decades since we saw that type of reception for a member of the Royal Family in Quebec," Finch told Yahoo! Canada News.

"It's also worth noting that almost 50 per cent of [the Monarchist League's] new members in the aftermath of the Royal Tour were francophone Quebeckers. I believe the monarchy actually has a bright future in Quebec."

As for the $7.5 million price tag for the Diamond Jubilee celebrations, Finch says Canadians from coast to coast support it.

"It's reasonable to spend public money on celebrating national events like a Diamond Jubilee. We spend millions of dollars - rightly - on celebrating Canada Day, St Jean Baptiste Day, festivals, etc. A Diamond Jubilee is no different," he said.

"I do know that Canadian Heritage has been overwhelmed with funding requests when it comes to the Diamond Jubilee. This means Canadians are overwhelmingly celebrating the occasion. And, $7.5 million is actually rather modest in the grand scheme of things."