Meghan and Harry are a Royal pain to Canadian Taxpayers!

Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, are house shopping, and Canada has been mentioned as a possible destination. With Canadian taxpayers having to potentially foot the bill for their security, concerns arise as to whether that is needed. Costs could be as much as $10-million annually.

Canada’s Public Safety Minister, Bill Blair, indicates an assessment of subsidizing security costs has not been conducted yet.

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation has started a petition against the government’s use of taxpayer funds to subsidize security costs. While the Royal Family has been clear that they will not financially support the Duke and Dutchess with their new ventures, what will this mean for taxpayers? 

The National Telegraph spoke with CTF’s Federal Director, Aaron Wudrick, on the importance of the petition and the need for fiscal restraint. He states, “We launched our petition under a week ago and (at last check on Friday) it already had 50,000 signatures. Clearly, this issue has touched a nerve with a lot of Canadians.”

“It’s important for Canadians to send a message to the Prime Minister to make clear where they stand on this issue, and our petition provides a simple and concrete way to do it.”

“I have heard from hundreds of people in the last few weeks on this issue and the overwhelming majority take the position that can be summed up as: they’re welcome to come, but they are quite wealthy and need to pay their own way; regular taxpayers shouldn’t be on the hook.”

Breaking the Silence of the Royal Dynamics

In 21st Century Canada, actively enforcing the traditions of the British Monarch is less symbolic and far from fiscally prudent. Prince Harry’s strides to fit into normal society and provide “a more peaceful life” for his family has created controversy at the expense of taxpayers.

Prince Harry has opened up on his decision to move on from the Royals as a senior member to the Crown. He went on to say that there was “no other option” for him and his wife.

He broke his silence in central London at a charity event supporting children with HIV in southern Africa. He said it brought him “great sadness that it has come to this. The decision that I have made for my wife and I to step back is not one I made lightly.” 

Should Canadians cover the Royal Bill?

As Canada faces issues regarding deficit spending and a hurting resource sector, is the timing right to transition to Canada? 

Everyday taxpayers are none too pleased by the idea of paying for the Royals. They cannot have their cake and eat it too. Either they live like within third means, or they stop complaining about living the life of royalty atop a net worth of $30 million.

If they can purchase a six-bedroom, five-bathroom home listed at $35,880,000, they can afford their security. The four-floor residence has several ocean views, terraces, and manicured private gardens, on a little more than 12,000 feet square.

Wouldn’t a less expensive house allow them to pay for their security costs while in Canada? Probably, but the Royals don’t seem to have given that much thought.

At the very least, it would be a step forward for them to drop their titles as royalty. To embrace contemporary Canada, dropping old stuffy titles as the Duke and Duchess show they are serious. 

If the Monarch is refusing to cover the costs, then why should we bear the burden of a self-imposed exile?