[quicknir]

She's the head of state, not the head of government. She doesn't have the power even theoretically to make any executive or legislative decisions. Aside from "representing" Canada in a very vague sense, the closest thing to real power that she or her representative (the governor general) has is to "decide" which party to ask to attempt to form a government after an election. This is basically always simply the part with the most seats, barring very rare exceptions.

Anyhow, tl; dr: Canada is most certainly independent, and gained its independence peacefully (although there were minor conflicts prior to that).

[dleslie]

This is woefully incorrect.

The Crown is the head of our State; all authority derives from our Sovereign.

http://www.parl.gc.ca/About/House/compendium/web-content/c_d...

[tdb7893]

He said she was the head of state. I don't know how this disproves the point that the queen has no legislative or executive powers in the Canadian government

[dleslie]

The Sovereign may recall the Governor General, or request that their Governor General dissolve Parliament and call an election and the Governor General is compelled to comply.

Ultimately, all legislation requires Royal Assent, and all executive powers are granted by the authority of the Sovereign, who may revoke them at their will and so force an election.

[ptaipale]

I still sort of liked it when a couple of French colleagues, who had moved to Francophone Quebec, eventually applied for citizenship, and took the oath... to Queen Elizabeth II.