PCs to Propose Bill 40 Amendments to Protect Royal Anthem in Schools
WINNIPEG — Manitoba PCs will be proposing amendments to the NDP’s Bill 40 to protect freedom of choice for local school divisions and preserve the singing of “God Save the King” in Manitoba schools.
Bill 40, An Act Respecting “O Canada” and Other Observances and Land and Treaty Acknowledgements in Schools, was rushed forward after the Mountain View School Division sought to reinstate the singing of “God Save the King” within the division.
The bill proposes the removal of the royal anthem as an optional patriotic observance in schools, impacting the longstanding Canadian tradition recognizing the constitutional monarchy. As Manitobans and Canadians battle Donald Trump’s tariffs and threats to annex Canada, Canadians are promoting everything that makes them uniquely and proudly Canadian.
“Even though the requirement to sing the royal anthem in school hasn’t been enforced for decades, school divisions should still have the option to include the anthem as part of their daily routine, or for special events and occasions, alongside ‘O Canada’ and land acknowledgments,” said Lac du Bonnet MLA Wayne Ewasko, PC Critic for Education. “Our amendments will preserve the school divisions’ freedom to make decisions at the local school division level.”
In Nov. 2024, Wab Kinew received the King Charles III Coronation Medal from Governor General Mary Simon. In Dec. 2024, Kinew awarded 27 Manitobans with King’s Coronation Medals to recognize their contributions to the province, the country, and world. Both NDP and PC MLAs have awarded King’s Coronation Medals to many of their constituents. In the spring of 2025, Kinew travelled to Ottawa to watch the King deliver the Speech from the Throne.
“Why does Wab Kinew think now is the right time to strip the royal anthem from schools?” asked Ewasko. “Does his allegiance, patriotism, and respect for the Crown and Canadian traditions only apply when cameras are rolling?”
Manitoba became the first and only province to legislate the singing of the royal anthem in 1964, a decade into the late Queen Elizabeth II’s reign.
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For media inquiries, please contact PCCaucus_Media@leg.gov.mb.ca