The Queen's Personal Canadian Flag

This article is part of the series Politics of Canada Executive The Crown Governor General Prime Minister Cabinet Legislative Parliament Senate Speaker of the Senate Government Leader in the Senate Opposition Leader in the Senate House of Commons Speaker of the House Government Leader in the House Leader of the Official Opposition Judicial Supreme Court Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Lower Courts of Appeal Constitution Charter of Rights and Freedoms Regions Provinces and territories

Canada is a constitutional monarchy and a Commonwealth Realm with Queen Elizabeth II as its reigning monarch. By modern convention she is regarded as the head of state, while the Governor General is referred to as the de facto head of state.[1] File links The following pages link to this file: Monarchy in Canada Royal Standard Queens Personal Canadian Flag ... File links The following pages link to this file: Monarchy in Canada Royal Standard Queens Personal Canadian Flag ... The Queens Personal Canadian Flag, sometimes called the Royal Standard of Canada, is the personal standard, that is to say official flag, of Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada. ... Image File history File links National Flag of Canada / lUnifolié For more information, see Department of Canadian Heritage and Image_talk:Canada_flag_large. ... Canada is a constitutional monarchy and a Commonwealth Realm (see Monarchy in Canada) with a federal system of parliamentary government, and strong democratic traditions. ... The Governor General of Canada (French: Gouverneur général or Gouverneure générale) is the representative of the Canadian monarch. ... The Prime Minister of Canada, the head of the Canadian government, is usually the leader of the political party with the most seats in the Canadian House of Commons. ... The Cabinet of Canada plays an important role in the Canadian government in accordance with the Westminster System. ... Chamber of the Estates-General, the Dutch legislature. ... The Parliament of Canada (French: Parlement du Canada) is Canadas legislative branch, seated at Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Ontario. ... The Senate (French: Sénat) is a component of the Parliament of Canada, which also includes the Sovereign (represented by the Governor General) and the House of Commons. ... The Speaker of the Canadian Senate is the presiding officer of the Canadian Senate. ... The Leader of the Government in the Senate is a Canadian cabinet minister who leads the government side in the Canadian Senate and is chiefly responsible for promoting and defending the governments program in the Upper House. ... In Canada, the Leader of the Official Opposition in the Senate is the leader of the largest party in the Senate that is not in government. ... The House of Commons (French: Chambre des communes) is a component of the Parliament of Canada, which also includes the Sovereign (represented by the Governor General) and the Senate. ... In Canada the Speaker of the House of Commons is the presiding officer of the lower house and is elected by fellow MPs. ... The Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, more commonly known as the Government House Leader, is the Cabinet minister responsible for planning and managing the governments legislative program in the Canadian House of Commons. ... The Leader of the Opposition in Canada is the Member of Parliament in the Canadian House of Commons who leads Her Majestys Loyal Opposition (the body in Parliament recognized as the Official Opposition). ... The judiciary, also referred to as the judicature, consists of justices, judges and magistrates among other types of adjudicators. ... The Supreme Court Building in Ottawa The Supreme Court of Canada is Canadas highest court and is located in the capital city of Ottawa. ... The Right Hon. ... List of final courts of appeal in Canada. ... The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms is a constitutionally entrenched bill of rights which forms part of the Constitution of Canada adopted in 1982. ... This is a list of regions of Canada that are not provinces or counties. ... Canada consists of ten provinces and three territories. ... A constitutional monarchy is a form of government established under a constitutional system which acknowledges a hereditary or elected monarch as head of state. ... A Commonwealth Realm is any one of the 16 sovereign states of the Commonwealth that recognize Queen Elizabeth II as their Queen and head of state. ... Controversy Things have not always been perfect for Elizabeth II as Queen of Canada. ... Though a term originally coined for Republican presidents, a head of state or chief of state is now universally known as the chief public representative of a nation-state, federation or commonwealth, whose role generally includes personifying the continuity and legitimacy of the state and exercising the political powers, functions...

In Canada, the Queen's official title in English is: Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom, Canada and Her other Realms and Territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith. In French, the Queen's title is: Elizabeth Deux, par la grâce de Dieu, Reine du Royaume-Uni, du Canada et de ses autres royaumes et territoires, Chef du Commonwealth, Défenseur de la Foi. Such capacity is Her Majesty The Queen in Right of Canada. In common practice, Queen Elizabeth II is referred to simply as "The Queen" or "The Queen of Canada" when in Canada, or when abroad and acting on the advice of her Canadian ministers (such as when she was present at the Canadian 60th anniversary of D-Day ceremony in France, in 2004). English may refer to: The nation of England. ... Queen Elizabeth II is recognised as Head of the Commonwealth in those members of the Commonwealth of Nations which are not Commonwealth realms and where, therefore, she is not head of state. ... Defenders of the Faith. ... Land on Normandy In military parlance, D-Day is a term often used to denote the day on which a combat attack or operation is to be initiated. ...

Constitutional monarchy in Canada

The most notable features of the Canadian constitutional monarchy are:

• Although Queen Elizabeth II is also monarch of the United Kingdom and several other Commonwealth countries, each nation - including Canada - is sovereign and independent of the others. Canada, not Britain, chooses who shall or shall not be her personal sovereign. There is no requirement that Canada have the same monarch as the United Kingdom, Australia, etc., though Canadians have not yet seen any need to have a monarch that is not shared by their sister Commonwealth realms. This is the outcome of the Balfour Declaration of 1926 in which the dominions won the right to be considered equal to Britain rather than subordinate; an agreement that had the result of, in theory, producing multiple but joined monarchies rather than a single British Crown under which all the dominions are subordinate. The subsequent Royal and Parliamentary Titles Act, 1927 was the first indication of this shift in law, further elaborated in the Statute of Westminster, 1931.
• Although the Queen's Canadian title includes "Defender of the Faith/Défenseur de la Foi," neither the Queen, the Governor General, nor any lieutenant governor has any religious role in Canada. There have been no established churches in Canada since before confederation in 1867. This is one of the key differences from the Queen's role in United Kingdom, where she is Supreme Governor of the Church of England. Nevertheless, because the Queen of Canada is also the Queen of the United Kingdom and because the Act of Settlement is part of the Canadian Constitution, the monarch cannot be a Roman Catholic and is generally expected to be an Anglican. This has led to a legal challenge (see O'Donohue v. Her Majesty the Queen)
• On all matters of state to do with Canada, the monarch is advised solely by the Canadian federal and provincial prime ministers and premiers. See also Queen's Privy Council for Canada. Effective with the Canada Act 1982 (UK) and its correlary, the Constitution Act 1982 (Canada) no British government can advise the monarch on any matters pertinent to Canada.¹
• All powers of state are constitutionally reposed in the Queen, who is represented to the Government of Canada by the Governor General of Canada and to each provincial government by its own Lieutenant Governor. The Governor General and the ten governors lieutenant are appointed by the Queen upon the advice of the Prime Minister of Canada. Provincial governments do not have a voice in the process.
• The Canadian Royal Salute is the Royal Anthem, God Save the Queen, followed by the National Anthem, O Canada The Vice-Regal Salute is the first six bars of God Save the Queen which then modulate into the first four and last four bars of O Canada The Vice-Regal Salute is played only for the Governor General and each lieutenant governor, because they represent the Crown.
• Royal Assent and proclamation are required for all acts of Parliament and of the provincial legislatures. Territorial legislatures are subject to the oversight of the Government of Canada. Provinces and their legislatures, as sovereign entities, are not.
• The oath of allegiance to Canada, sworn by new (immigrant) citizens, soldiers, and parliamentarians, is an oath of allegiance to the monarch as sovereign of Canada, and to his/her heirs and successors according to law.
• The Commissioners of Canada's territories of Nunavut, The Yukon, and the Northwest Territories are appointed by Governor-General-in-Council, that is, by the Prime Minister of Canada. But as the territories are not sovereign entities, the commissioners are not representatives of the sovereign. They receive instruction from the federal Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs.
• In the business of national, inter-provincial and inter-Commonwealth affairs, the Governor General and each provincial lieutenant governor are are equal in rank to each other. They are also equally senior in rank to the politicians who pass the bills they sign into law - including the prime minister who appointed them - because they are personal representatives of the Queen, and the Queen's representatives always preceed the Queen's ministers in protocol.
• The legal personality of Canada is referred to as "Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada", and likewise for the provinces and territories (i.e., "in Right of Ontario," etc.). For example, if a lawsuit is filed against the federal government, the respondent is formally described as Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada.
• As in the UK, the Queen's role is almost entirely symbolic and cultural, and the powers that are constitutionally hers are exercised wholly upon the advice of the elected government. In exceptional circumstances, however, the Queen or Governor General may act against such advice based upon her reserve powers - as when Governor General Byng refused a demand by W.L. Mackenzie King for a dissolution of Parliament and call for new elections, because the prime minister's request was blatantly unconstitutional, and it is the first order of the Crown to defend the constitution (see King-Byng Affair). For the most part, however, the monarch functions is a rubber stamp and a symbol of the legal authority under which all governments operate. It has been correctly said since the death of Queen Anne (1714), the last monarch to head the British cabinet (when almost all of Canada was still French colonial territory), that the monarch "reigns" but does not "rule". In Canada, this has been true since the Treaty of Paris (1763) ended the reign of Canada's last absolute monarch, King Louis XV of France. For more explanation of the Queen's role, see Governor General of Canada.

• Queen Elizabeth II, as is common for all her other non-UK realms, is generally regarded as "Queen of Canada" only when she is actually present in Canada or when she otherwise performs ceremonies relevant to Canada, such as conferring Canadian honours in the UK of participating in the Canadian World War II memorial ceremonies in France. Except for a few duties which must be performed by the Queen (e.g., signing the appointment papers of governors general and lieutenant, which no governor general can do), or which require assent by the Queen as well as the Governor General (as when Prime Minister Mulroney expanded the number of Senate seats to assure passage of the Goods and Services Tax), all of Queen's federal duties are performed by the Governor General and all of her provincial duties are performed by the pertinent lieutenant governor.
• The Queen is a regular visitor to Canada. The cultural importance that Canadians attached to the monarch, however, visibly declined in the decades following World War II, as Canada began to emerge and blossom into a mature nation in her own right - such as a distinctly Canadian flag, adopted in 1964; O Canada replacing God Save the Queen! as the national anthem (the latter kept as the royal and vice-regal anthem); patriation of the Canadian Constitution in 1982; and so on. The Queen's image remains on Canadian coins, some currency and postage stamps. Her portrait is still found in all government buildings, military installations, some schools, and all of Canada's embassies abroad.
• The Queen is ceremonial head of the Canadian honours system. As such, only she can approve the creation of an honour, which she does as requested by government of Canada. The Governor General administers all responsibilities relating to Canadian honours on the Queen's behalf. See Canadian honours system.

Queen Elizabeth II has stated: "The role of a constitutional monarch is to personify the democratic state, to legitimate authority, to assure the legality of its measures and to guarantee the execution of its popular will." This is a page about Dominions of the British Empire/Commonwealth. ... The Royal and Parliamentary Titles Act, 1927 (17 Geo 5, c. ... ... The Supreme Governor of the Church of England is a title held by the British Monarchs that signifies their titular leadership over the Church of England. ... The Act of Settlement (12 & 13 Wm 3 c. ... The Constitution of Canada is the supreme law in Canada. ... The Roman Catholic Church, most often spoken of simply as the Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with over one billion members. ... The term Anglican describes those people and churches following the religious traditions of the Church of England, especially following the Reformation. ... The Queens Privy Council for Canada is the ceremonial council of advisors to the Queen of Canada, whose members are appointed by her Governor General in Canada for life on the advice of the Prime Minister. ... The Governor General of Canada (French: Gouverneur général or Gouverneure générale) is the representative of the Canadian monarch. ... A Lieutenant Governor is a government official who is the subordinate or deputy of a Governor or Governor-General. ... God Save the Queen is a patriotic song written by Henry Carey. ... O Canada is the national anthem of Canada. ... The granting of Royal Assent is the formal method by which a Sovereign or the Sovereigns representative in the United Kingdom and in Commonwealth Realms completes the process of the enactment of legislation by formally assenting to an Act of Parliament. ... The Parliament of Canada (French: Parlement du Canada) is Canadas legislative branch, seated at Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Ontario. ... A Commissioner is one of various classes of persons who holds an office by virtue of a commission in the normally from the head of state, particularly of a state in the Commonwealth of Nations. ... For the electoral districts of the same name, see Nunavut (electoral district) and Nunavut (Senate Division). ... Motto: none Other Canadian provinces and territories Capital Whitehorse Largest city Whitehorse Commissioner Jack Cable Premier Dennis Fentie (Yukon Party) Area 482,443 km² (9th)  - Land 474,391 km²  - Water 8,052 km² (1. ... A former territory in the United States is called Northwest Territory. ... In the Cabinet of Canada, The Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development really heads two different departments. ... A reserve power is a power that may be exercised by the head of state of a country in certain exceptional circumstances. ... Not to be confused with William Lyon Mackenzie, Mackenzie Kings grandfather. ... Mackenzie King requested a dissolution of Parliament Lord Byng refused to dissolve Parliament The King-Byng Affair refers to a 1926 Canadian constitutional crisis that occurred when the Governor-General of Canada, Lord Byng of Vimy, refused a request by the Prime Minister of Canada, William Lyon Mackenzie King, to... Rubber stamp, is a political metaphor referring to an institution that has little power and rarely disagrees with more powerful organs. ... Anne Queen of Great Britain and Ireland Anne (6 February 1665–1 August 1714) became Queen of England, Scotland and Ireland on 8 March 1702. ... The Treaty of Paris was signed on February 10, 1763, by the Kingdom of Great Britain, France and Spain with Portugal in agreement. ... Louis XV (February 15, 1710 – May 10, 1774), called the Well-Beloved (French: le Bien-Aimé), was King of France from 1715 to 1774. ... The Governor General of Canada (French: Gouverneur général or Gouverneure générale) is the representative of the Canadian monarch. ... The Queen of Canada in Parliament File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... The Canadian honours system has developed as a unique entity since the centennial of Canadian Confederation in 1967 when the first distinctly Canadian honour, the Order of Canada was created. ... A national anthem is a generally patriotic musical composition that is formally recognized by a countrys government as their states official national song. ... Patriation is a legal term that was made up in Canada to describe the process of bringing home the Canadian Constitution in 1982. ... The Constitution of Canada is the supreme law in Canada. ... The Canadian honours system has developed as a unique entity since the centennial of Canadian Confederation in 1967 when the first distinctly Canadian honour, the Order of Canada was created. ... Honour (or honor) comprises the reputation, self-perception or moral identity of an individual or of a group. ... The Canadian honours system has developed as a unique entity since the centennial of Canadian Confederation in 1967 when the first distinctly Canadian honour, the Order of Canada was created. ...

History

Since the establishment of New France, Canada has been the territory of a monarchy or a monarchy in its own right. Kings and queens reigning over Canada have included both the monarchs of France (from Francis I in 1534 to Louis XV in 1763) and those of the UK (from Anne of Great Britain in 1713 to Queen Elizabeth today). Following Confederation in 1867, the gradual "Canadianization" of the Crown began. New France (French: la Nouvelle-France) describes the area colonized by France in North America during a period extending from the exploration of the Saint Lawrence River by Jacques Cartier in 1534 to the cession of New France to the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1763. ... Kings ruled in France from the Middle Ages to 1848. ... Francis I (French: François Ier) (September 12, 1494 – July 31, 1547), called the Father and Restorer of Letters (French: le Père et Restaurateur des Lettres), was crowned King of France in 1515 in the cathedral at Reims and reigned until 1547. ... Events May 10 - Jacques Cartier explores Newfoundland while searching for the Northwest Passage. ... Louis XV (February 15, 1710 – May 10, 1774), called the Well-Beloved (French: le Bien-Aimé), was King of France from 1715 to 1774. ... 1763 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... This is a list of British monarchs, that is, the monarchs on the thrones of some of the various kingdoms that have existed on, or incorporated, the island of Great Britain, namely: England (united with Wales from 1536) up to 1707; Scotland up to 1707; The Kingdom of Great Britain... Anne Queen of Great Britain and Ireland Anne (6 February 1665–1 August 1714) became Queen of England, Scotland and Ireland on 8 March 1702. ... Events April 11 - War of the Spanish Succession: Treaty of Utrecht June 23 - French residents of Acadia given one year to declare allegiance to Britain or leave Nova Scotia Canada first Orrery built by George Graham Ongoing events Great Northern War (1700-1721) War of the Spanish Succession (1702-1713... Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor), styled HM The Queen (born 21 April 1926) is the Queen regnant and head of state of Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Grenada, Jamaica, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent... Canadian Confederation, or the Confederation of Canada, was the process that ultimately brought together a union among the provinces, colonies and territories of British North America to form the Dominion of Canada, a Dominion of the British Empire, which today is a federal nation state simply known as Canada. ... 1867 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ...

The Royal and Parliamentary Titles Act 1927, initiated the gradual replacement of the concept of a singular crown throughout the British Empire with that of multiple crowns, making each dominion a separate kingdom with the Crown worn by the common monarch. This idea was further enhanced by the Statute of Westminster 1931, which granted the dominions of the Commonwealth autonomy from the British parliament and equality with the United Kingdom. However, when a new Royal Titles Act was passed at the beginning of Queen Elizabeth's reign, it gave primacy to the monarch's status as Queen of the United Kingdom. Although other Commonwealth Realms have since removed any reference to the United Kingdom in their versions of Elizabeth II's title, Canada retains the original 1953 Act. The Royal and Parliamentary Titles Act 1927 () was an Act of Parliament of the United Kingdom that formed a significant landmark in the constitutional history of the UK and British Empire as a whole. ... The British Empire in 1897, marked in pink, the traditional colour for Imperial British dominions on maps. ... The Statute of Westminster 1931 was the enactment of the United Kingdom Parliament (December 11, 1931) which established the legislative equal status of the self-governing dominions of the British Empire and United Kingdom. ... This is a page about Dominions of the British Empire/Commonwealth. ... Flag of the Commonwealth of Nations The Commonwealth of Nations is an association of independent sovereign states, most of which are former colonies once governed by the United Kingdom as part of the British Empire. ... The Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the supreme legislative institution in the United Kingdom and British overseas territories (it alone has parliamentary sovereignty). ...

Canada gained full independence as an autonomous kingdom when the constitution was patriated under Prime Minister Trudeau in 1982, making it Canadian law rather than an act of the British parliament that required amendment in both jurisdictions. See Canada Act 1982. Name Pierre Elliott Trudeau Number Fifteenth First term April 20, 1968–June 4,1979 Second term March 3, 1980–June 30, 1984 Predecessor Lester Bowles Pearson Successors Joe Clark John Napier Turner Date of birth October 18, 1919 Place of birth Montreal, Quebec Date of death September 28, 2000 Spouse... 1982 is a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Canada Act 1982 is an Act of Parliament passed by the British Parliament that severed virtually all remaining constitutional and legislative ties between the United Kingdom and Canada. ...

The Constitution Act of 1982 also entrenched the monarchy in Canada. Any change to the position of the monarch or the monarch's representatives in Canada now requires the consent of the Senate, the House of Commons, and the legislative assemblies of all the provinces. The Canada Act 1982 is an Act of Parliament passed by the British Parliament that severed virtually all remaining constitutional and legislative ties between the United Kingdom and Canada. ... The Senate (French: Sénat) is a component of the Parliament of Canada, which also includes the Sovereign (represented by the Governor General) and the House of Commons. ... The House of Commons (French: Chambre des communes) is a component of the Parliament of Canada, which also includes the Sovereign (represented by the Governor General) and the Senate. ...

The Throne of Canada

Throne Chairs for the Queen of Canada, and the Duke of Edinburgh and the Governor General, in the Canadian Senate, Ottawa. (The front chair is used by the Speaker of the Senate.)

All of the Queen's Canadian duties are performed by her representatives in Canada, the Governor General and the Lieutenant Governors of the provinces - except those that explicitly or implicitly require the Queen to perform them. There have even been instances when the Governor General has appeared alongside the Queen at events abroad, whereas, historically, it was not possible for the monarch and the monarch's personal representative to appear side-by-side (on the theory the representation of the monarch was so personal as to be the presence of the monarch - and two Kings, or two Queens could not be present in the same place at the same time). Canada's political leaders have, on occasion, appealed to the Queen's authority. In 1990, Prime Minister Brian Mulroney appealed to the Queen (under Section 26 of The Constitution Act, 1867) to temporarily add new seats to the Senate. This provision was designed to ensure deadlock in the Senate could be broken. It requires approval by both the Governor General and the monarch. Mulroney made this move to secure passage of the controversial Goods and Services Tax, in the face of threats by the Senate to block it. Although Mulroney's Progressive Conservative Party had a massive majority in the House of Commons, the Liberals held a majority in the Senate - until new PC senators were appointed at Mulroney's recommendation to avoid that problem. Throne of Canada File links The following pages link to this file: Monarchy in Canada Categories: Images with unknown source ... The Duke of Edinburgh is a British dukedom. ... The Governor General of Canada (French: Gouverneur général or Gouverneure générale) is the representative of the Canadian monarch. ... The Senate (French: Sénat) is a component of the Parliament of Canada, which also includes the Sovereign (represented by the Governor General) and the House of Commons. ... The Governor General of Canada (French: Gouverneur général or Gouverneure générale) is the representative of the Canadian monarch. ... A Lieutenant Governor is a government official who is the subordinate or deputy of a Governor or Governor-General. ... The Prime Minister of Canada, the head of the Canadian government, is usually the leader of the political party with the most seats in the Canadian House of Commons. ... The Right Honourable Martin Brian Mulroney, PC , CC , GOQ , LL.D. (born March 20, 1939), was the eighteenth Prime Minister of Canada from September 17, 1984, to June 25, 1993. ... The Senate (French: Sénat) is a component of the Parliament of Canada, which also includes the Sovereign (represented by the Governor General) and the House of Commons. ... The Canadian Goods and Services Tax or GST (Taxe sur les produits et services, TPS) is a multi-level sales tax introduced in Canada in 1991 to great controversy. ... The Progressive Conservative Party of Canada (PC) was a Canadian centre-right conservative political party that existed from 1867 to 2003. ... The Liberal Party of Canada (French: Parti libéral du Canada) is Canadas largest political party. ...

This was an occasion on which the Queen played a significant role in Canadian government, although as the monarch's advisers made clear, she felt bound to follow the advice of the Prime Minister, who was answerable to cabinet, parliament, and the Canadian electorate. They argued that to overrule prime ministerial advice would have involved the Queen directly in controversy; by automatically accepting advice, she placed the responsibility on the person giving the advice. It is also possible that if the Governor General decided to go against the Prime Minister's or the government's advice, the Prime Minister could appeal directly to the Queen or even recommend that the Queen dismiss the Governor General.

Beginning January 1, 2005, the Letters of Credence that foreign diplomats present when beginning an assignment in Canada are addressed to the Governor General of Canada without making any reference to the Queen. This is also the case with Letters of Recall presented when a diplomat finishes a sojourn in Canada. This change in protocol has been criticized by Canadian monarchists as an example of the government reducing the Queen's role, and has been welcomed by republicans for the same reason. January 1 is the first day of the calendar year in both the Julian and Gregorian calendars. ... 2005 is a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar and is the current year. ... A letter of credence is a formal letter sent by one head of state to another formally accrediting a named individual (usually but not always a diplomat) to be their ambassador in the country of the head of state receiving the letter of credence. ... This page is about negotiations; for the board game, see Diplomacy (game). ... A letter of credence is a formal letter sent by one head of state to another formally accrediting a named individual (usually but not always a diplomat) to be their ambassador in the country of the head of state receiving the letter of credence. ... For meanings in specific fields, see protocol (computing) or protocol (cryptography). ...

Some monarchists contend that since Paul Martin became prime minister, his government seems to be attempting to further distance Canada from the Queen and elevating the Governor General to more of a presidential figure. On her 2005 trip to Alberta, the provincial government wished to have the Queen sign a bill into law. This was not done - in theory, because the constitutionality of the Queen doing so was questioned; however Rideau Hall also stated it would conflict with the "Canadianization" of Canada's institutions. Some Monarchists feel that the federal government is attempting to make Canada a republic in all but name. Paul Martin - Wikipedia /**/ @import /skins-1. ... The Governor General of Canada (French: Gouverneur général or Gouverneure générale) is the representative of the Canadian monarch. ... Rideau Hall is the official residence of the Governor General of Canada, and is the place of residence of the Monarch of Canada when visiting Ottawa. ...

Royal visits

Members of the Royal Family have visited Canada numerous times since the late 18th century. From 1786 through to 1787, Prince William (future King William IV) ventured to Canada's east coast as part of a naval contingent. Later, between 1791 and 1798, and then also from 1799-1800, Prince Edward, Duke of Kent (eventual father of Queen Victoria), stayed in the Canadian colonies on military duties and as Commander of British North American troops. 1786 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... 1787 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... William IV (William Henry) (21 August 1765 – 20 June 1837) was King of the United Kingdom and of Hanover from 26 June 1830 until his death. ... 1791 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... 1798 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... 1799 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... 1800 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... His Royal Highness The Prince Edward Augustus, Duke of Kent and Strathearn (2 November 1767 - 23 January 1820) was the fourth son of King George III and the father of Queen Victoria. ... Her Majesty Queen Victoria (Alexandrina Victoria Wettin, née Hanover) (24 May 1819 – 22 January 1901) was Queen of the United Kingdom from 20 June 1837, and Empress of India from 1876 until her death. ...

Sixty years later, Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, undertook a two-month tour of Upper Canada and Lower Canada, and a year later, in 1861, Prince Alfred took five weeks to tour the Maritime provinces, Newfoundland, and Lower Canada. From 1869 to 1870, Prince Arthur, spent a year in Canada with the Rifle Brigade based at Montreal. He returned again for several weeks in 1890, and again in 1906. Beginning in 1911, as now Duke of Connaught accompanied by his wife Princess Louise, Duchess of Connaught, and his daughter Princess Patricia, he resided in Canada as Governor General for six years. His Majesty King Edward VII (9 November 1841 – 6 May 1910) was King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, King of the Commonwealth realms, and the Emperor of India. ... Upper Canada Village in Morrisburg, Ontario Upper Canada is an early name for the land at the upstream end of the Saint Lawrence River in early North America – the territory south of Lake Nipissing and north of the St. ... Lower Canada was a British colony in North America, at the downstream end of the Saint Lawrence River in the southern portion of the modern-day province of Quebec. ... 1861 is a common year starting on Tuesday. ... His Royal Highness Duke Alfred of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, Duke of Edinburgh (6 August 1844 – 30 July 1900), was the second son and fourth child of Queen Victoria and her husband, Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha. ... The Maritimes or Maritime provinces is a region of Canada on the Atlantic coast, consisting of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. ... Newfoundland (French: Terre-Neuve; Irish: Talamh an Éisc; Latin: Terra Nova) is a large island off the north-east coast of North America, and the most populous part of the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. ... 1869 is a common year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar). ... 1870 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... Prince Arthur as a lieutenant in The Prince Consorts Own Rifle Brigade. ... 1890 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... 1906 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... 1911 is a common year starting on Sunday (click on link for calendar). ... Princess Louise Marguerite of Prussia, later the Duchess of Connaught (25 July 1860 - 14 July 1917) was the wife of Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught, the third son and seventh child of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom and Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha. ... Her Royal Highness Princess Patricia of Connaught (17 March 1886-12 January 1974) was a member of the British Royal Family, a granddaughter of Queen Victoria. ...

From 1878 to 1883, the Marquess of Lorne, accompanied by his wife, Princess Louise, lived in Canada as Governor General. Many members of the Royal Family visited them during his tenure as Canada's viceroy. 1878 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... 1883 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... A viceroy is somebody who governs a country or province as a substitute for the monarch. ...

In 1901, the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York (later King George V and Queen Mary), toured Canada from coast-to-coast as part of a larger Empire-wide voyage. In 1908 ,the Duke returned, as Prince of Wales, to celebrate Quebec City's tercentenary. 1901 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... His Majesty King George V (George Frederick Ernest Albert) (3 June 1865 – 20 January 1936) was the last British monarch of the House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, changing the name to the House of Windsor in 1917. ... HSH Princess Victoria Mary of Teck, image by Lafayette of Bond Street, London. ... 1908 is a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ... The eldest son of the reigning monarch ofEngland/Great Britain is traditionally invested with the title of Prince of Wales. ...

Prince Albert, Duke of York (later King George VI), visited parts of Canada during his service with the Royal Navy in 1913. In 1919, his elder brother Edward, Prince of Wales (later King Edward VIII), undertook a two-month tour of Canada. He returned for seven weeks in 1923, calling at many towns and cities, and stayed for a period of time on his Alberta ranch. He vacationed at his ranch again a year later. The two brothers came to Canada together in 1927 to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Confederation. Prince Edward, as Duke of Windsor, returned with his wife to his ranch one last time in 1941, and the two spent time in New Brunswick in 1945. His Majesty King George VI (Albert Frederick Arthur George Windsor, formerly Wettin) (December 14, 1895–February 6, 1952) was the third British monarch of the House of Windsor, reigning from December 11, 1936 to February 6, 1952. ... The Royal Navy of the United Kingdom is the senior service of the armed services, being the oldest of its three branches. ... 1913 is a common year starting on Wednesday. ... 1919 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... His Majesty King Edward VIII (Edward Albert Christian George Andrew Patrick David Windsor, formerly Wettin), later His Royal Highness The Prince Edward, Duke of Windsor (23 June 1894 – 28 May 1972) was the second British monarch of the House of Windsor. ... 1923 was a common year starting on Monday (link will take you to calendar). ... Motto: Fortis et Liber (Strong and free) Other Canadian provinces and territories Capital Edmonton Largest city Calgary Lieutenant Governor Norman Kwong Premier Ralph Klein (PC) Area 661,848 km² (6th)  - Land 642,317 km²  - Water 19,531 km² (2. ... 1927 was a common year starting on Saturday (link will take you to calendar). ... King Edward VIII King of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, King of Ireland Emperor of India His Majesty King Edward VIII, (Edward Albert Christian George Andrew Patrick David), later His Royal Highness The Duke of Windsor (23 June 1894 – 28 May 1972) was the second British monarch of the House... 1941 was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ... Motto: Spem reduxit (Hope was restored) Other Canadian provinces and territories Capital Fredericton Largest city Saint John Lieutenant Governor Herménégilde Chiasson Premier Bernard Lord (PC) Area 72,908 km² (8th)  - Land 71,450 km²  - Water 1,458 km² (2. ... 1945 was a common year starting on Monday (link will take you to calendar). ...

In 1928, Prince George paid a private visit to Canada, and three years later, in 1929, Prince Henry (later Duke of Gloucester) spent a short time in Canada. 1928 was a leap year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar). ... His Royal Highness The Prince George, Duke of Kent (George Edward Alexander Edmund von Wettin, later Windsor) (20 December 1902 - 25 August 1942) was the fourth son of King George V of the United Kingdom and Queen Mary. ... His Royal Highness The Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester, Earl of Ulster, Baron Culloden, KG, KT, KP, GCB, GCMG, GCVO, (Henry William Frederick Albert Windsor) (31 March 1900 - 10 June 1974), was the third son of King George V of the United Kingdom and Queen Mary, the brother of King...

King George VI in Banff Springs, Alberta, 1939

The first tour of Canada by a reigning monarch was that of King George VI and his consort, Queen Elizabeth in 1939. They travelled across the country from coast-to-coast. Image File history File links Please see the file description page for further information. ... Image File history File links Please see the file description page for further information. ... His Majesty King George VI (Albert Frederick Arthur George Windsor, formerly Wettin) (December 14, 1895–February 6, 1952) was the third British monarch of the House of Windsor, reigning from December 11, 1936 to February 6, 1952. ... Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon in her later years as Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother The Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon (Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Windsor L.G., L.T., C.I., G.C.V.O., G.B.E., née Bowes-Lyon) (4 August 1900 – 30 March 2002) was the Queen consort of... 1939 was a common year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar). ...

Starting in 1940, the Earl of Athlone, with his wife Princess Alice, resided in Canada as Governor General for six years. (Also see: Alexander Cambridge, Governor General of Canada) During this period the Viscount Lascelles worked as an Aide de Camp to the Governor General. In 1941, Prince George, Duke of Kent, visited air bases and training centres in Canada. 1940 was a leap year starting on Monday (link will take you to calendar). ... Alexander Cambridge, 1st Earl of Athlone (Alexander Augustus Frederick William Alfred George), ne His Serene Highness Prince Alexander of Teck (April 14, 1874 - January 16, 1957, was a member of the British Royal Family, the younger brother of Queen Mary. ... George Lascelles, 7th Earl of Harewood (born 7 February 1923) is the elder son of Henry Lascelles, 6th Earl of Harewood (1882-1947), and Mary, Princess Royal, the only daughter of King George V of the United Kingdom and Queen Mary. ... An aide-de-camp (French: camp assistant) is a personal assistant, secretary, or adjutant to a person of high rank, usually a senior military officer or a head of state. ... 1941 was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ... His Royal Highness The Prince George, Duke of Kent (George Edward Alexander Edmund von Wettin, later Windsor) (20 December 1902 - 25 August 1942) was the fourth son of King George V of the United Kingdom and Queen Mary. ...

Queen Elizabeth II has travelled to Canada 22 times, more than any other Canadian monarch, and has visited every province and region of the country. When in the nation's capital, Ottawa, the Queen resides at her official Canadian residence – Rideau Hall – and from time to time will stay at the provincial Government Houses in various provincial capital. {{Canadian City/Disable Field={{{Disable Motto Link}}}}} Motto: Advance Ottawa/Ottawa en avant City of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Location. ... Rideau Hall is the official residence of the Governor General of Canada, and is the place of residence of the Monarch of Canada when visiting Ottawa. ...

She has travelled to Canada in the following years: 1951 - as The Princess Elizabeth, undertook the trip in place of her ailing father; 1957; 1959; 1964; 1967; 1970; 1971; 1973; 1976; 1977; 1978; 1982; 1983; 1984; 1987; 1990; 1992; 1994; 1997; 1999; 2002; 2005 1951 was a common year starting on Monday; see its calendar. ... 1957 was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1959 was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1964 was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ... 1967 was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1970 was a common year starting on Thursday. ... 1971 is a common year starting on Friday (click for link to calendar). ... 1973 was a common year starting on Monday. ... 1976 is a leap year starting on Thursday (link will take you to calendar). ... 1977 was a common year starting on Saturday (the link is to a full 1977 calendar). ... 1978 was a common year starting on Sunday (the link is to a full 1978 calendar). ... 1982 is a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1983 is a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1984 is a leap year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1987 is a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1990 is a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1992 is a leap year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1994 was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International year of the Family. ... 1997 is a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1999 is a common year starting on Friday of the Common Era, and was designated the International Year of Older Persons by the United Nations. ... 2002 is a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 2005 is a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar and is the current year. ...

Queen Elizabeth II, as Princess Elizabeth, square dancing in the ballroom of Rideau Hall during her 1951 tour

In her fifty-three years on the throne, Elizabeth II has spent a total of 222 days (or just over 1% of her reign) in Canada. Many other members of the Royal Family have undertaken royal duties and engagements in Canada in the Queen's place so that a member of the Royal Family has been in Canada on official business for an accumulated total of just over 2 years of her 53 year reign or between 3 and 4% of her reign. From the govt of Canada: http://www. ... From the govt of Canada: http://www. ...

Queen Elizabeth II has participated in thousands of ceremonial events in Canada since before the beginning of her reign, ranging from large events in big cities attended by tens of thousands of people, to lesser engagements in towns and other small communities.

The Queen's first major ceremonial duty was in 1959 when she opened the St. Lawrence Seaway with U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower. The Saint Lawrence Seaway in its broadest sense (see Great Lakes Waterway) is the system of canals that permits ocean-going vessels to travel from the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes as far as Lake Superior. ... Seal of the President of the United States The President of the United States is the head of state of the United States. ... Order: 34th President Vice President: Richard Nixon Term of office: January 20, 1953 – January 20, 1961 Preceded by: Harry S. Truman Succeeded by: John F. Kennedy Date of birth: October 14, 1890 Place of birth: Denison, Texas Date of death: March 28, 1969 Place of death: Washington, D.C. First...

Her Majesty has also celebrated numerous birthday and anniversary occasions. In 1964, she helped celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Confederation Conferences in Quebec City and Charlottetown. In 1967, she travelled to Ottawa to participate in Canada's 100th birthday celebrations on Parliament Hill, where she cut a 30-foot-high birthday cake. In 1973, the Queen celebrated the centennial of Prince Edward Island and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. In 1977, she toured to mark her Silver Jubilee, and in 1984 she participated in the bicentennials of New Brunswick and Ontario. The Queen visited Ottawa to celebrate Canada's 125th birthday in 1992. In 2002, she visited four regions of Canada, and the territory of Nunavut, to commemorate her Golden Jubilee. Her most recent visit was in 2005 for the 100th anniversaries of the entries of Saskatchewan and Alberta into Canadian Confederation. 1964 was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ... Canadian Confederation, or the Confederation of Canada, was the process that ultimately brought together a union among the provinces, colonies and territories of British North America to form the Dominion of Canada, a Dominion of the British Empire, which today is a federal nation state simply known as Canada. ... Motto: Don de Dieu feray valoir (Gift of God shall make prosper) Area: 547. ... For the federal electoral district see Canadian city and the provincial capital of Prince Edward Island, with a population of 32,245 as of 2001. ... 1967 was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... {{Canadian City/Disable Field={{{Disable Motto Link}}}}} Motto: Advance Ottawa/Ottawa en avant City of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Location. ... Parliament Hill is a scenic location on the banks of the Ottawa River in downtown Ottawa, Canada. ... 1973 was a common year starting on Monday. ... Motto: Parva Sub Ingenti (The small under the protection of the great) Other Canadian provinces and territories Capital Charlottetown Largest city Charlottetown Lieutenant Governor J. Léonce Bernard Premier Pat Binns (PC) Area 5,660 km² (13th)  - Land 5,660 km²  - Water 0 km² (0%) Population (2004)  - Population 137,900... The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP or Mounties; French, Gendarmerie royale du Canada, GRC) is both the federal police force and the national police of Canada. ... 1977 was a common year starting on Saturday (the link is to a full 1977 calendar). ... A Silver Jubilee is a celebration held to mark a 25th anniversary. ... 1984 is a leap year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Motto: Spem reduxit (Hope was restored) Other Canadian provinces and territories Capital Fredericton Largest city Saint John Lieutenant Governor Herménégilde Chiasson Premier Bernard Lord (PC) Area 72,908 km² (8th)  - Land 71,450 km²  - Water 1,458 km² (2. ... Motto: Ut Incepit Fidelis Sic Permanet (Loyal it began, loyal it remains) Other Canadian provinces and territories Capital Toronto Largest city Toronto Lieutenant Governor James K. Bartleman Premier Dalton McGuinty (Liberal) Area 1,076,395 km² (4th)  - Land 917,741 km²  - Water 158,654 km² (14. ... 1992 is a leap year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 2002 is a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... For the electoral districts of the same name, see Nunavut (electoral district) and Nunavut (Senate Division). ... Alternative meaning: The Golden Jubilee diamond A Golden Jubilee is a celebration held to mark a 50th anniversary. ... 2005 is a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar and is the current year. ... Motto: Multis E Gentibus Vires (From many peoples, strength) Other Canadian provinces and territories Capital Regina Largest city Saskatoon Lieutenant Governor Lynda M. Haverstock Premier Lorne Calvert (NDP) Area 651,036 km² (7th)  - Land 591,670 km²  - Water 59,366 km² (9. ... Motto: Fortis et Liber (Strong and free) Other Canadian provinces and territories Capital Edmonton Largest city Calgary Lieutenant Governor Norman Kwong Premier Ralph Klein (PC) Area 661,848 km² (6th)  - Land 642,317 km²  - Water 19,531 km² (2. ... Canadian Confederation, or the Confederation of Canada, was the process that ultimately brought together a union among the provinces, colonies and territories of British North America to form the Dominion of Canada, a Dominion of the British Empire, which today is a federal nation state simply known as Canada. ...

In 1967, she journeyed to Montreal, with Prince Philip and Princess Margaret, to view Expo '67. 1967 was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... {{Canadian City/Disable Field={{{Disable Motto Link}}}}} Motto: Concordia Salus (Salvation through harmony) Ville de Montréal, Québec, Canada Location. ... HRH The Duke of Edinburgh His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, KG, KT, OM, GBE, AC, QSO, PC, (Philip Mountbatten, formerly Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark), styled - HRH The Duke of Edinburgh (born 10 June 1921), is the consort of Queen Elizabeth II of the United... Her Royal Highness The Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon CI GCVO (Margaret Rose Armstrong-Jones, née Windsor; (August 21, 1930 – February 9, 2002) was the younger daughter of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, and sister of the current British monarch, Queen Elizabeth II. She also held the title of... The 1967 International and Universal Exposition, or simply Expo 67 was a Worlds Fair held in Montreal, Quebec, Canada in 1967 to coincide with the Canadian Centennial that year. ...

Elizabeth II has been present at many sporting events as well. In 1976, as Queen of Canada, she opened the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal. She was accompanied by Prince Philip, Prince Charles, Princess Anne (who competed in the Olympic games that year), Prince Andrew, and Prince Edward. This marked the first time the entire Royal Family had been in Canada. In 1978, she opened the Commonwealth Games in Edmonton, Alberta, and in 1994 performed the same task in Victoria, British Columbia. In 2002, at Vancouver's GM Place, the Queen performed a ceremonial dropping of the puck, before an National Hockey League game between the Vancouver Canucks and San Jose Sharks. 1976 is a leap year starting on Thursday (link will take you to calendar). ... The 1976 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXI Olympiad, were held in 1976 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. ... {{Canadian City/Disable Field={{{Disable Motto Link}}}}} Motto: Concordia Salus (Salvation through harmony) Ville de Montréal, Québec, Canada Location. ... HRH The Duke of Edinburgh His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, KG, KT, OM, GBE, AC, QSO, PC, (Philip Mountbatten, formerly Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark), styled - HRH The Duke of Edinburgh (born 10 June 1921), is the consort of Queen Elizabeth II of the United... HRH The Prince of Wales His Royal Highness The Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, KG, KT, GCB, OM, AK, QSO, PC, ADC (Charles Philip Arthur George Mountbatten-Windsor) (born 14 November 1948), the eldest son of HM Queen Elizabeth II and HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, is Heir... HRH The Princess Royal Anne Elizabeth Alice Louise Her Royal Highness The Princess Anne, Princess Royal, LG, LT, GCVO, QSO (Anne Elizabeth Alice Louise Laurence, formerly Phillips, née Mountbatten-Windsor), styled HRH The Princess Royal (born August 15, 1950), is a member of the British Royal Family. ... HRH The Duke of York His Royal Highness The Prince Andrew, Duke of York, KCVO, ADC (Andrew Albert Christian Edward Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly Windsor), styled HRH The Duke of York (born February 19, 1960), is a member of the British Royal Family, the third child and second son of Queen... HRH The Earl of Wessex His Royal Highness The Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex (Edward Antony Richard Louis Mountbatten-Windsor), styled HRH The Earl of Wessex (born March 10, 1964), is a member of the British Royal Family, the youngest son of Queen Elizabeth II. He has held the title... 1978 was a common year starting on Sunday (the link is to a full 1978 calendar). ... The Commonwealth Games is a multi-sport event held every four years involving the elite athletes of The Commonwealth. ... More than one place has the name Edmonton. ... Motto: Fortis et Liber (Strong and free) Other Canadian provinces and territories Capital Edmonton Largest city Calgary Lieutenant Governor Norman Kwong Premier Ralph Klein (PC) Area 661,848 km² (6th)  - Land 642,317 km²  - Water 19,531 km² (2. ... 1994 was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International year of the Family. ... Victoria is a Canadian city, and the provincial capital of British Columbia. ... 2002 is a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Members of Parliament Libby Davies, Ujjal Dosanjh, David Emerson, Hedy Fry, Stephen Owen Members of the Legislative Assembly Gordon Campbell, David Chudnovsky, Adrian Dix, Colin Hansen, Jenny Kwan, Lorne Mayencourt, Wally Oppal, Gregor Robertson, Shane Simpson, Carole Taylor Mayor Larry Campbell Governing Body Vancouver City Council Latitude: Longitude: 49°16... General Motors Place is an indoor arena at 800 Griffiths Way in Vancouver, British Columbia. ... The National Hockey League (NHL) is a professional sports organization composed of ice hockey teams in the United States and Canada, where it is also known by its French name, Ligue Nationale de Hockey. ... The Vancouver Canucks are a professional National Hockey League ice hockey team based in Vancouver, British Columbia. ... The San Jose Sharks are a National Hockey League team based in San Jose, California. ...

On several of her visits, the Queen has performed duties of state. In 1957, she opened the 1st session of the 23rd Parliament of Canada, reading the Speech from the Throne becoming the first reigning monarch to do so. Two years later, in 1959, she undertook her first, and only, foreign visit as Queen of Canada when she met with United States President Dwight D. Eisenhower in Washington, D.C.. At the conclusion of that trip, she hosted a return dinner for the President at the Canadian Embassy, not at the British Embassy, to clearly point out that she was in the United States as a representative of Canada. 1957 was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Parliament of Canada (French: Parlement du Canada) is Canadas legislative branch, seated at Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Ontario. ... Queen Beatrix of The Netherlands reads her countrys Speech from the Throne Queen Elizabeth II reads Canadas Speech from the Throne in 1977 The Speech from the Throne, sometimes referred to by the shorter term Throne Speech, is an event in certain monarchies in which the monarch (or... 1959 was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Seal of the President of the United States The President of the United States is the head of state of the United States. ... Order: 34th President Vice President: Richard Nixon Term of office: January 20, 1953 – January 20, 1961 Preceded by: Harry S. Truman Succeeded by: John F. Kennedy Date of birth: October 14, 1890 Place of birth: Denison, Texas Date of death: March 28, 1969 Place of death: Washington, D.C. First... Aerial photo (looking NW) of the Washington Monument and the White House in Washington, D.C. Washington, D.C., officially the District of Columbia (also known as D.C.; Washington; the Nations Capital; the District; and, historically, the Federal City) is the capital city and administrative district of the... A diplomatic mission is a group of people from one nation state present in another nation state to represent the sending state in the receiving State. ...

In 1982, Elizabeth II travelled to Ottawa to sign Canada's new Constitution Act, including the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. 1982 is a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ... {{Canadian City/Disable Field={{{Disable Motto Link}}}}} Motto: Advance Ottawa/Ottawa en avant City of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Location. ... The Constitution of Canada is the supreme law in Canada. ... The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms is a constitutionally entrenched bill of rights which forms part of the Constitution of Canada adopted in 1982. ...

Elizabeth II participated in the opening session of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia in 1987, and the opening of the Nunavut legislature in 2002, when she read a speech from the throne. In 2005, she also read a speech to Albertans in the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, becoming the first reigning monarch to do so. Legislature Building in Victoria, BC The Legislative Assembly of British Columbia is located in Victoria. ... 1987 is a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... For the electoral districts of the same name, see Nunavut (electoral district) and Nunavut (Senate Division). ... 2002 is a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 2005 is a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar and is the current year. ... The Legislative Assembly of Alberta meets in the provincial capital, Edmonton. ...

There was some talk during her 2005 tour, that this could be the Queen's final visit to Canada. Buckingham Palace has confirmed that she and Prince Philip are cutting back on their international travel, particularly within the Commonwealth, and having Prince Charles take her place. However, the Palace did say that the Queen still intended to go overseas, but not on long and very busy tours as in the past. It is believed that if the Queen visits in the future, her tour will be confined to one region of the country instead of multiple provinces as has been the tradition in her most recent tours of Canada. 2005 is a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar and is the current year. ... Buckingham Palace and the Victoria memorial. ... // Definition and linguistics The original phrase common wealth or the common weal is a calque translation of the Latin term res publica (public matters), from which the word republic comes, which was itself used as a synonym for the greek politeia as well as for the republican (i. ... Prince Charles may refer to: Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, current heir-apparent to the British throne Any of the previous British royals named Charles, Prince of Wales The former Belgian regent, Prince Charles of Belgium This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might...

In the last several years, junior members of the Royal Family have begun to take part in unofficial, working tours of Canada. In this method, provinces, municipalities and others personally invite members of the Royal Family to attend events which they fund without assistance from the federal government. Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward have all taken several tours under this method. A royal family is the extended family of a monarch. ... HRH The Prince of Wales His Royal Highness The Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, KG, KT, GCB, OM, AK, QSO, PC, ADC (Charles Philip Arthur George Mountbatten-Windsor) (born 14 November 1948), the eldest son of HM Queen Elizabeth II and HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, is Heir... HRH The Princess Royal Anne Elizabeth Alice Louise Her Royal Highness The Princess Anne, Princess Royal, LG, LT, GCVO, QSO (Anne Elizabeth Alice Louise Laurence, formerly Phillips, née Mountbatten-Windsor), styled HRH The Princess Royal (born August 15, 1950), is a member of the British Royal Family. ... HRH The Duke of York His Royal Highness The Prince Andrew, Duke of York, KCVO, ADC (Andrew Albert Christian Edward Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly Windsor), styled HRH The Duke of York (born February 19, 1960), is a member of the British Royal Family, the third child and second son of Queen... HRH The Earl of Wessex His Royal Highness The Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex (Edward Antony Richard Louis Mountbatten-Windsor), styled HRH The Earl of Wessex (born March 10, 1964), is a member of the British Royal Family, the youngest son of Queen Elizabeth II. He has held the title...

See also List of Commonwealth visits made by Queen Elizabeth II Fifties February 1952 Kenya 24-25 November 1953 Bermuda 25-27 November 1953 Jamaica 17-19 December 1953 Fiji 19-20 December 1953 Tonga 23 December 1953 - 30 January 1954 New Zealand 3 February - 1 April 1954 Australia 5 April 1954 Cocos Islands 10-21 April 1954 Ceylon 27 April...

The Crown and the First Nations

Her Majesty the Queen of Canada presents a tablet of Balmoral granite with the ciphers of both herself and her great-grandmother Queen Victoria, at the First Nations University of Canada, May 17, 2005.

As with the Maori and the Treaty of Waitangi in New Zealand, Canada's First Nations view their treaties as being agreements directly between them and the Crown, not with the ever-changing government. The Royal Proclamation of 1763 made clear that the First Nations were autonomous political units, and affirmed their title to lands. It remains an important document, mentioned in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, outlining the Canadian Crown's responsibility to protect First Nations' territories and maintain the bilateral "nation-to-nation" relationship[2] [3]. From govt of Saskatchewan: http://www. ... From govt of Saskatchewan: http://www. ... The First Nations University of Canada (formerly Saskatchewan Federated Indian College) is a university in Saskatchewan, Canada with campuses in Regina, Saskatoon, and Prince Albert. ... Te Puni, Māori Chief Māori is the name of the indigenous people of New Zealand, and their language. ... The Treaty of Waitangi (Māori: Te Tiriti o Waitangi) was signed on 6 February 1840 at Waitangi in the Bay of Islands, New Zealand. ... First Nations is the current title used by Canada to describe the various societies of the indigenous peoples, called Native Americans in the U.S. They have also been known as Indians, Native Canadians, Aboriginal Americans, Amer-Indians, or Aboriginals, and are officially called Indians in the Indian Act, which... The Royal Proclamation of 1763 was issued October 7, 1763 by the British government in the name of King George III to prohibit settlement by British colonists beyond the Appalachian Mountains in the lands captured by Britain from France in the French and Indian War/Seven Years War and to... The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms is a constitutionally entrenched bill of rights which forms part of the Constitution of Canada adopted in 1982. ...

The Queen, during a visit to the First Nations University of Canada in Saskatchewan in May of 2005, presented a piece of Balmoral granite engraved with the ciphers of Queen Victoria and herself. The gesture behind the gift was outlined in the Queen's words: The First Nations University of Canada (formerly Saskatchewan Federated Indian College) is a university in Saskatchewan, Canada with campuses in Regina, Saskatoon, and Prince Albert. ... Motto: Multis E Gentibus Vires (From many peoples, strength) Other Canadian provinces and territories Capital Regina Largest city Saskatoon Lieutenant Governor Lynda M. Haverstock Premier Lorne Calvert (NDP) Area 651,036 km² (7th)  - Land 591,670 km²  - Water 59,366 km² (9. ... Places There are several places named Balmoral. ... Victoria Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Empress of India Victoria (Alexandrina Victoria) (24 May 1819–22 January 1901) was a Queen of the United Kingdom, reigning from 20 June 1837 until her death. ...

"This stone was taken from the grounds of Balmoral Castle in the Highlands of Scotland - a place dear to my great great grandmother, Queen Victoria. It symbolises the foundation of the rights of First Nations peoples reflected in treaties signed with the Crown during her reign.

"Bearing the cipher of Queen Victoria as well as my own, this stone is presented to the First Nations University of Canada in the hope that it will serve as a reminder of the special relationship between the Sovereign and all First Nations peoples."[4]

Nevertheless, First Nations groups complained that their role during the Queen's visit was a purely symbolic one, and were disappointed that neither the provincial nor federal governments granted them a private audience with the Queen to express concerns about treaty violations. [5]

The Crown and the military

The Queen retains a strong link to the Canadian military. The Constitution Act, 1867 states that the Queen is Commander-in-Chief of the Canadian Armed Forces, but the Letters Patent of 1947 specify that the title and its duties are held and performed by the Governor General of Canada], on behalf of the Sovereign. The Queen's postition and role in the military is reflected by Canadian naval vessels bearing the prefix Her Majesty's Canadian Ship (H.M.C.S), and all members of the armed forces must swear allegiance to the Queen and her heirs and successors. Canadian Forces Flag The Canadian Armed Forces (Fr. ... The British North America Acts 1867–1975 are a series of Acts of the British Parliament dealing with the government of Canada. ... Commander-in-Chief (in NATO-lingo often C-in-C or CINC pronounced sink) is the commander of all the military forces within a particular region or of all the military forces of a state. ... Letters Patent by Queen Victoria creating the office of Governor-General of Australia Letters patent are a type of legal document which is an open letter issued by a monarch or government granting a right, monopoly, title, or status to someone or some entity such as a corporation. ... U.S. Navy supercarrier USS Nimitz on November 3, 2003. ...

She has presided over many military ceremonies, including Trooping of the Colours, inspections of the troops, and anniversaries of key battles. Whenever Her Majesty is in Ottawa she lays a wreath at the National War Memorial. As well, two other examples of Elizabeth II acting as Queen of Canada abroad were associated with the Canadian military; one in 1996 when she dedicated the Canadian War Memorial in Green Park, London, and the other in 2003 when she attended the Canadian 60th anniversary of D-Day ceremonies in Normandie, France. The National War Memorial Canadas National War Memorial is located in Confederation Square in Ottawa, the nations capital. ... 1996 is a leap year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International Year for the Eradication of Poverty. ... Green Park is also: the name given to the old Aston Clinton House site in Buckinghamshire, and; the name of a new business park just off the M4_motorway at Junction 11, on the outskirts of Reading, Berkshire (see www. ... The Clock Tower of the Palace of Westminster which contains Big Ben Tower Bridge at night A red double-decker bus crosses Piccadilly Circus. ... 2003 is a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Land on Normandy In military parlance, D-Day is a term often used to denote the day on which a combat attack or operation is to be initiated. ... Mont Saint Michel is a historic pilgrimage site and a symbol of Normandy Normandy is a former country (a Duchy) situated in northern France occupying the lower Seine area (upper or Haute-Normandie) and the region to the west (lower or Basse-Normandie) as far as the Cotentin Peninsula. ...

She is Colonel-in-Chief of many Canadian regiments, including: le Régiment de la Chaudière; the 48th Highlanders of Canada; the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada (Princess Louise's); the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery; the Governor-General's Horse Guards; the King's Own Calgary Regiment; le Royal 22e Régiment; the Governor-General's Foot Guards; the Canadian Grenadier Guards; the Regiment of Canadian Guards; the Royal New Brunswick Regiment; the Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps; the Canadian Forces Military Engineers Branch; and the Calgary Highlanders. In the British and other Commonwealth armies, the Colonel-in-Chief of a regiment is its (usually Royal) patron. ... The 48th Highlanders of Canada is a Canadian militia (i. ... The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada (Princess Louises), or ASH of C (PL), is a Highland infantry unit of the Canadian Forces Army Reserve based at John W. Foote VC Armouries at 200 James Street North in Hamilton, Ontario. ... UBIQUE (Everywhere) and QUO FAS ET GLORIA DUCUNT (Whither Right And Glory Lead) History The Royal Canadian Artillery regiment is older than Canada itself. ... The Governor Generals Horse Guards is an armoured militia (i. ... The Kings Own Calgary Regiment (RCAC) The Kings Own Calgary Regiment (RCAC), or KOCalgR, is an armoured unit of the Canadian Forces Army Reserve based at Mewata Armouries in Calgary, Alberta. ... Badge of Le Royal 22e Régiment The Royal 22e Régiment is an infantry regiment and the most famous francophone organization of the Canadian Forces. ... The Governor Generals Foot Guards is one of three Household regiments in the Canadian Army reserve forces, along with The Governor Generals Horse Guards and the Canadian Grenadier Guards. ... Categories: Stub | Canadian regiments | Guards Regiments ... The Canadian Guards was an infantry regiment of the Canadian Army that served in the same role as the five regiments of Foot Guards in the British Army. ... The Royal New Brunswick Regiment is an infantry regiment of the Canadian Force based in New Brunswick. ... The Calgary Highlanders are a Land Force Reserve Infantry Regiment, headquartered at Mewata Armoury in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. ...

She is also the Honorary Commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.[6] The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP or Mounties; French, Gendarmerie royale du Canada, GRC) is both the federal police force and the national police of Canada. ...

Debate on the monarchy

In contrast to Australian republicanism, there has been little national debate about ending the monarchy in Canada. This may be because Canadians have historically been more focused on more immediate political concerns such as the issue of the role of Quebec within Canada (see Quebec sovereignty movement) and the division of powers between the federal government and the provinces. Historically, many Canadians have seen the monarchy as a traditional institution that forms a key part of the nation's raison d'être and justifies Canada's sovereignty from the United States. One of Canada's national myths is the story of the United Empire Loyalists, a group of British-North American settlers who migrated from the United States to Canada after the American Revolutionary War. A key justification for this migration was supposedly their Tory, monarchist beliefs which they felt the US revolution was betraying. Australian republicanism is a movement within Australia to replace the countrys existing status as a Commonwealth realm under a constitutional monarchy with a republican form of government. ... The Quebec sovereignty movement is a political movement for the attainment of sovereignty for Quebec, a province of the Canadian federation. ... Raison Detre is the name of a Norwegian darkwave/ambience band. ... A national myth is an inspiring, or patriotic story or anecdote that serves as a national symbol of a country, and re-affirms a countrys national values. ... United Empire Loyalists is the name given to the portion of British Loyalists who resettled in the future Canada when they were forced to leave the United States after the British defeat in the American War of Independence. ... The American Revolutionary War (1775–1783), also known as the American War of Independence, was a war fought primarily between Great Britain and revolutionaries within thirteen North American colonies. ... W*nkers ...

Portraits of the Queen (here with the Duke of Edinburgh) can be found in most Canadian government buildings

In recent years some, Canadian republican groups have been formed and some politicians, such as former Deputy Prime Minister John Manley, have expressed interest in ending the monarchy. In 2002, Canada's first nationally-organized republican movement, the Citizens for a Canadian Republic, was established to bring the debate into the mainstream. The CCR promotes eliminating the Queen's role as Canada's head of state, and replacing her with an elected president of some form. The monarchist side is represented by the Monarchist League of Canada. This national group was formed in 1970, and currently exists as a lobby group to advocate for, educate about, and promote the monarchy in Canada. Other politicians such as, former Deputy Prime Minister Sheila Copps, have been strong supporters of the monarchy in Canada. Copps was widely praised for her organization of the Queen's Golden Jubilee tour of Canada in 2002. portrait of the queen of Canada File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... HRH The Duke of Edinburgh His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, KG, KT, OM, GBE, AC, QSO, PC, (Philip Mountbatten, formerly Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark), styled - HRH The Duke of Edinburgh (born 10 June 1921), is the consort of Queen Elizabeth II of the United... The Deputy Prime Minister of Canada is a position in the Canadian government. ... John Manley The Honourable John Paul Manley, PC , BA , LL.B, a Canadian lawyer, businessperson and politician, was born on January 5, 1950 in Ottawa. ... Citizens for a Canadian Republic (CCR) is a non-partisan, not-for-profit Canadian organization founded in 2002 that advocates the abolition of the monarchy in Canada and its replacement with a president who would either be chosen through a general election or elected by Parliament. ... President is a title held by many leaders of organizations, companies, universities, and countries. ... The Coat of Arms of the Monarchist League of Canada, granted with permission of Her Majesty in 2000. ... 1970 was a common year starting on Thursday. ... The Honourable Sheila Maureen Copps, PC (born November 27, 1952, in Hamilton, Ontario) is a Canadian journalist and politician. ... Alternative meaning: The Golden Jubilee diamond A Golden Jubilee is a celebration held to mark a 50th anniversary. ... 2002 is a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Public opinion polls have clearly shown Canadians' mixed feelings towards the monarchy. Some polls show a majority of Canadians support the creation of a republic, others show a majority favour retaining the current system. Generally however, the prevailing mood towards the monarchy suggested by most polls is one of indifference or apathy.

Quebec, however, is currently the only province that overwhelmingly supports a republic. This sentiment became pronounced during the Queen's visit to Quebec City in 1964 when she was greeted by anti-monarchist demonstrations. The route of her procession was lined with Quebecers showing their backs to the monarch. On Samedi de la matraque (Truncheon Saturday), police violently dispersed anti-monarchist demonstrators and arrested 36. The Queen did not visit Quebec City again until 1987, and has rarely visited Quebec with the exception of Hull, which is across the river from Ottawa and within Canada's National Capital Region.[7]. Motto: Don de Dieu feray valoir (Gift of God shall make prosper) Area: 547. ... Hull is a former city in western Quebec, Canada, now part of the city of Gatineau. ... This article is about the capital city of Canada. ... The National Capital Region is an informal designation for the Census Metropolitan Area consisting of the Canadian capital of Ottawa, Ontario, the neighbouring city of Gatineau, Quebec and the surrounding area. ...

In 1976, many Quebec nationalists and sovereigntists complained about her role in officially opening the 1976 Montreal Olympics. 1976 is a leap year starting on Thursday (link will take you to calendar). ... The 1976 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXI Olympiad, were held in 1976 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. ...

During the 1995 Quebec referendum campaign on independence, the Queen was tricked into revealing her personal opinions on Canadian unity when a radio DJ, impersonating then Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chrétien, managed to reach her by telephone at Buckingham Palace. When told the current number of votes was showing a victory for the Yes side, she was reported to have said that it was then not "going very well." Today, many Quebec politicians, especially separatists in parties such as the Bloc Quebecois, often actively ignore the political role of monarchy, on the grounds that it is an institution of "English Canada" with no relevance to Quebec. However, for the same reason, they have not generally advocated republican reforms be taken, as they do not consider reforming Canadian institutions to be their responsibility. Quebec's former separatist premier Bernard Landry has said that if Quebec separates, the new nation would become a republic. The 1995 Quebec referendum was the second referendum in Quebec (see 1980 Quebec referendum) that put to public vote the role of Quebec within Canada and whether Quebec should pursue a path toward independent statehood (sovereignty). The referendum was the culmination of years of rising support for autonomy (see Quiet... The Prime Minister of Canada, the head of the Canadian government, is usually the leader of the political party with the most seats in the Canadian House of Commons. ... The Right Honourable Joseph Jacques Jean Chrétien, PC (born January 11, 1934) was the twentieth Prime Minister of Canada, serving from November 4, 1993, to December 12, 2003. ... Buckingham Palace and the Victoria memorial. ... The Bloc Qu cois is a federal political party in Canada that is primarily devoted to promoting sovereignty for the province of Quebec. ... Bernard Landry official 2003 election picture. ... In a broad definition a republic is a state or country that is led by people who do not base their political power on any principle beyond the control of the people living in that state or country. ...

Since the mid-20th century, there has been a downplaying of the role of the Crown in Canada. During the centennial year of Canadian confederation, in 1967, some Canadian newspapers, including the Toronto Star advocated the creation of a republic as a mark of the country's independence. While the Toronto Star is no longer officially pro-republic, through the 1990s, The Globe and Mail advocated making the Governor General head of state in place of the monarch. God Save the Queen was replaced by O Canada as Canada's national anthem, and is now sung only at certain official functions. From the early 1970s, references to the monarch and the monarchy were slowly removed from the public eye (e.g., the Queen's portrait from public buildings and schools, and the Royal Mail became a crown corporation, Canada Post). In recent years, there have been some attempts at removing references of the Queen from the Oath of Allegiance. So far, only the oath taken by federal public servants has been altered; new citizens, members of the armed forces and police forces, and Members of Parliament continue to give their allegiance to the Queen. Canadian Confederation, or the Confederation of Canada, was the process that ultimately brought together a union among the provinces, colonies and territories of British North America to form the Dominion of Canada, a Dominion of the British Empire, which today is a federal nation state simply known as Canada. ... 1967 was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Toronto Star is a major metropolitan newspaper produced in the city of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. ... Events and trends The 1990s are generally classified as having moved slightly away from the more conservative 1980s, but keeping the same mind-set. ... The Globe and Mail is a large Canadian English language national newspaper based in Toronto. ... God Save the Queen is a patriotic song written by Henry Carey. ... O Canada is the national anthem of Canada. ... 1970 was a common year starting on Thursday. ... The Canadian Oath of Allegiance, in its present form, is: A person may choose to replace the word swear with declare and to omit the phrase So help me God. ...

Some monarchists argue that the process of downplaying the monarchy has led to widespread misunderstandings about the institution and how Canada is governed.

• See also Canadian republicanism

William Lyon Mackenzie advocated the creation of a Canadian republic during the 1837 Upper Canada Rebellion and, after the defeat of his uprising in Toronto, established a provisional government for the Republic of Canada on Navy Island. ...

Support and opposition

Monarchist arguments

Canadian monarchists have historically celebrated the monarchy as a link to the United Kingdom, and thus a tie to Canada's British heritage. However, in recent generations, Canada has become a nation in which only a minority of immigrants can now claim British roots. As such, while monarchists will still celebrate the monarchy as a historically significant institution, contemporary arguments will also often centre around the perceived political advantage of a constitutional monarchy system of governance, as well as the distinct Canadian aspects of the Crown. A constitutional monarchy is a form of government established under a constitutional system which acknowledges a hereditary or elected monarch as head of state. ...

Monarchists argue that the monarchy is a fundamentally unbiased institution, and the apolitical nature of the Crown enables the Queen to be a non-partisan figure who can act as an effective intermediary between Canada's various levels of government and political parties -- an indispensable feature in a federal system. It is argued that the monarchy makes the provinces in their fields of jurisdiction as potent as the federal authority, thus allowing for a flexible federalism. Also, the Queen holds no favouritism towards any specific political party, group of voters, donors, etc., allowing them to be an unbiased referee during any potential governmental crisis. This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ...

Monarchists thus say that it is impossible to imagine that any elected head of state can remain as apolitical and unbiased as the Queen currently is. They argue that having both an elected president and prime minister could lead to the two coming to odds over who holds more authority; each could claim to be "elected by the people".

Monarchists also argue that a republican head of state would cost more, not less, than the current monarchy, due to additional costs involved in updating the Governor General's residences to full head of state presidential palace level, the costs of state visits, political advisers, increased ceremonial functions, etc.; functions that in many cases do not exist for a Governor General, given that he or she is not a full head of state, but which would be required for a Canadian president.²

Republican arguments

Republicans have traditionally argued against the monarchy on the basis that it is a historic relic, or a colonial holdover with little relevance in modern Canada. Members of both the political left and right have also argued that it is an institution of elitism that undermines democracy. Like monarchists, however, the majority of contemporary republican arguments tend to centre around political justifications of such a change. For the direction left, see left and right. ... For the direction right, see left and right or starboard. ... Elitism is a belief or attitude that an elite— a selected group of persons whose personal abilities, specialized training or other attributes place them at the top of any field (see below)— are the people whose views on a matter are to be taken most seriously, or who are alone...

In response to monarchist claims of neutrality, republicans will argue that it is entirely possible to have an apolitical, elected head of state. Perhaps it is even inevitable, given the current trend in government to make institutions more transparent, accountable and democratic. One example of this type of head of state in a Westminster-style parliamentary republic is the President of Ireland. The President of Ireland (Irish: Uachtarán na hÉireann) is the head of state of the Republic of Ireland. ...

Republicans point out that in the current system, the prime minister is elected by his or her party, not by popular election. Canadians therefore, do not vote for a prime minister, they vote for the party that the prime minister leads. Also, there are other methods for electing a president, with popular election being only one option of many. India's republican system is a model many Canadian republicans see as a one that could be applied at least in part in Canada. Other republicans argue that an elected president could serve as an effective check on the power of the prime minister, and help encourage a greater separation of power within the nation's political culture. The current powers of the Prime Minister of Canada are often criticized as being excessive, so the creation of a revised, independent executive branch may be a solution to this. The fact that these different arguments are often contradictory highlights the fact that in many cases Canadian republicans are not yet fully united on what sort of republican form of government they believe the nation should adopt. The Westminster-style parliamentary republican model, which is advocated by other Commonwealth republican movements, has been embraced by Citizens for a Canadian Republic as the preferred model for Canada. The Government of the India, officially referred to as the Union Governnment, and commonly as Central Government, established by the Constitution of India, is a union federal republic of 28 states and 7 union territories. ... In politics, the principle of checks and balances underlies many democratic governments. ... Citizens for a Canadian Republic (CCR) is a non-partisan, not-for-profit Canadian organization founded in 2002 that advocates the abolition of the monarchy in Canada and its replacement with a president who would either be chosen through a general election or elected by Parliament. ...

Prominent critics of the monarchy point out that the Act of Settlement 1701 explicitly excludes Roman Catholics from the throne and the Queen is Supreme Governor of the Church of England, requiring her to be an Anglican. This, they argue, discriminates against non-Anglicans, including Catholics who are the largest faith group in Canada. Former Toronto city councillor Tony O'Donohue launched a court action in 2002 arguing that the Act of Settlement violates the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms in that it discriminates against Catholics. His case was dismissed by the court, which found that the Act of Settlement is part of the Canadian constitution and thus the Charter of Rights does not have supremacy over it. Also, the court pointed out that while Canada has the power to amend the line of succession to the Canadian Throne, the Statute of Westminster stipulates that the agreement of the governments of the fifteen other realms that share the Crown would first have to be sought if Canada wished to continue its relationship with the other Commonwealth Realms. An appeal of the decision was dismissed 16 March 2005. (see Tony O'Donohue v. Her Majesty The Queen). The Act of Settlement (12 & 13 Wm 3 c. ... The Roman Catholic Church, most often spoken of simply as the Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with over one billion members. ... The Supreme Governor of the Church of England is a title held by the British Monarchs that signifies their titular leadership over the Church of England. ... The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England and acts as the mother and senior branch of the worldwide Anglican Communion as well as a founding member of the Porvoo Communion. ... }|135px|City of Toronto, Ontario Official Flag]]|Coat Image=[[Image:{{{Coat Image}}}|135px|City of Toronto, Ontario Coat of Arms]]}} {{Canadian City/Disable Field={{{Disable Motto Link}}}}} Motto: Diversity Our Strength {{Canadian City/Location Image is:{{{Location Image Type}}}|[[Image:{{{Location Image}}}|thumbnail|250px|City of Toronto, Ontario, Canada Location. ... A city council is the most common style of legislative government in a city or town. ... 2002 is a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms is a constitutionally entrenched bill of rights which forms part of the Constitution of Canada adopted in 1982. ... The Constitution of Canada is the supreme law in Canada. ... The Statute of Westminster 1931 was the enactment of the United Kingdom Parliament (December 11, 1931) which established the legislative equal status of the self-governing dominions of the British Empire and United Kingdom. ... A Commonwealth Realm is any one of the 16 sovereign states of the Commonwealth that recognize Queen Elizabeth II as their Queen and head of state. ... March 16 is the 75th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (76th in Leap years). ... 2005 is a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar and is the current year. ...

In the matter of costs, Canadian republicans say that cost estimates between the two are at best hypothetical and based on many assumptions. Although it is unlikely that a republican head of state would be less costly, it is important to note that the present Governor General is now considered by the government to be the de facto head of state, and already engages in all roles and protocols expected of one.

On the symbolic side, monarchists argue that breaking with the monarchy would end more than 500 years of Canada having a crown, and would remove an important symbol of Canada. Also, some say having a monarchy, with a Queen of Canada and a Governor General, is one of the key identity differences between the United States and Canada. This is an important way to maintain the country's cultural independence from its southern neighbour, an ongoing theme in Canadian culture and politics, especially with the loss of many other Canadian heritage symbols. They point to the fact that a republican president in Canada might be seen just another president on the American continent where the most prominent president is the President of the United States. Some Canadians point to their government of constitutional monarchy as a point of pride, setting them apart from an American-styled republic. For example, former Prime Minister Jean Chrétien said "It's a system that works pretty well" in an interview with Global News. Seal of the President of the United States The President of the United States is the head of state of the United States. ... A constitutional monarchy is a form of government established under a constitutional system which acknowledges a hereditary or elected monarch as head of state. ... The Right Honourable Joseph Jacques Jean Chrétien, PC (born January 11, 1934) was the twentieth Prime Minister of Canada, serving from November 4, 1993, to December 12, 2003. ... The Global Television Network (more commonly called Global) is a major English-language television network in Canada, owned by CanWest Global Communications. ...

It is also noted that whereas Canada currently has a female head of state and a female governor general and has had a female prime minister, no woman has ever been president or vice-president in the United States.

Proponents of a Canadian republic counter by citing Westminster-style republics Ireland and India as examples where both female prime ministers and/or presidents have been accepted as the norm.

Queen Elizabeth II wearing the Sovereign's insignia of the Order of Canada and the Order of Military Merit

Opponents of the monarchy claim that its abolition would promote democracy and remove Canada's last political connection to her colonial past, and thus improve her image as a sovereign nation. Download high resolution version (2000x2500, 759 KB)Queen of Canada - Wearing the Order of Canada Official Photographic Portrait of Her Majesty The Queen of Canada The official Canadian portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was taken during the 2002 Jubilee Visit and unveiled on June 2, 2003, in honour... Download high resolution version (2000x2500, 759 KB)Queen of Canada - Wearing the Order of Canada Official Photographic Portrait of Her Majesty The Queen of Canada The official Canadian portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was taken during the 2002 Jubilee Visit and unveiled on June 2, 2003, in honour... Order of Canada - Wikipedia /**/ @import /skins-1. ... The Order of Military Merit is an Order (decoration) issued by Canada to members of the Canadian Forces whom have demonstrated dedication and devotion beyond the call of duty. ...

At the same time, monarchists point out that Canada has had no status as a colony since 1867, and since 1982 has been an independent nation with no political ties to the United Kingdom. They also maintain that a nation's history and past are the building blocks of a national identity and argue that the Crown is the foundation and guarantor of Canada's democracy.

In his ruling on the matter, Justice Rouleau included the following comments:

[36] The impugned positions of the Act of Settlement are an integral part of the rules of succession that govern the selection of the monarch of Great Britain. By virtue of our constitutional structure whereby Canada is united under the Crown of Great Britain, the same rules of succession must apply for the selection of the King or Queen of Canada and the King or Queen of Great Britain. As stated by Prime Minister St. Laurent to the House of Commons during the debate on the bill altering the royal title:

"Her Majesty is now Queen of Canada but she is the Queen of Canada because she is Queen of the United Kingdom. . . It is not a separate office, . . .it is the sovereign who is recognized as the sovereign of the United Kingdom who is our Sovereign. . ." Hansard February 3, 1953, page 1566.

Further, he wrote:

[38] In the present case the court is being asked to apply the Charter not to rule on the validity of acts or decisions of the Crown, one of the branches of our government, but rather to disrupt the core of how the monarchy functions, namely the rules by which succession is determined. To do this would make the constitutional principle of Union under the British Crown together with other Commonwealth countries unworkable, would defeat a manifest intention expressed in the preamble of our Constitution, and would have the courts overstep their role in our democratic structure.[8]

A few republicans claim that the wording of this ruling, including Prime Minister St. Laurent's quote, implies that the Crown in Right of Canada is a British institution. They enhance this argument by stating that the Royal Style and Titles Act, 1953, gives the Queen's title as "Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom, Canada and Her other Realms," thus seemingly giving the Queen's role as sovereign of the U.K. primacy over her role as sovereign of Canada. Of the many Royal Style and Titles Acts, the most constitutionally important was actually called the Royal and Parliamentary Titles Act. ...

Monarchists counter this with the prevailing ideology which states that the Royal and Parliamentary Titles Act 1927, the Statute of Westminster, and the patriation of each of the Realm constitutions, has created the situation where one Crown over all the Commonwealth Realms, including the United Kingdom, operates equally yet seperately in each country. Therefore the Crown in Canada is a unique Canadian branch of the Crown, fully equal yet distinct from the Crown in the United Kingdom. They also state that the full text of Justice Rouleau's ruling, as opposed to clipped quotes, supports the 'one Crown equally shared' view. The Royal and Parliamentary Titles Act 1927 () was an Act of Parliament of the United Kingdom that formed a significant landmark in the constitutional history of the UK and British Empire as a whole. ... The Statute of Westminster 1931 was the enactment of the United Kingdom Parliament (December 11, 1931) which established the legislative equal status of the self-governing dominions of the British Empire and United Kingdom. ... A Commonwealth Realm is any one of the 16 sovereign states that recognize Queen Elizabeth II as their Queen and head of state. ...

O'Donohue's case was dismissed by the court, which found that the Act of Settlement is part of the Canadian constitution and thus the Charter of Rights does not have supremacy over it. Also, the court pointed out that while Canada has the power to amend the line of succession to the Canadian Throne, the Statute of Westminster stipulates that the agreement of the governments of the fifteen other realms that share the Crown would first have to be sought. An appeal was dismissed in 2005. The Constitution of Canada is the supreme law in Canada. ... The Statute of Westminster 1931 was the enactment of the United Kingdom Parliament (December 11, 1931) which established the legislative equal status of the self-governing dominions of the British Empire and United Kingdom. ... 2005 is a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar and is the current year. ...

See also: O'Donohue v. Her Majesty the Queen, 2003 La la la! Woo hoo! ...

Monarchists claim that since unanimity by all Canadian provinces is required to replace the monarchy, a republic will never be attained. To counter this argument, republicans in March 2004 proposed measures to avoid constitutional deadlock by advocating a parliamentary reform of the office of the Governor General, an office generally expected to be transformed into a presidency should the monarchy end. The group claims their proposal will address divisive aspects such as the duties and selection process of the new head of state without constitutional amendment, leaving the remaining issue of who should occupy the position to be decided in a referendum. However, monarchists point out that this proposal does not address the provinces, especially concerning the importance of the Crown in their relationship with the federal government, and the positions and powers of the Lieutenant Governors; both issues which would weigh heavily in any constitutional debate on the Crown, regardless of the selection process of the Governor General.

There is also, in large part because of previous long disputes over constitutional issues and reforms, a reluctance to enter into the extensive constitutional renegotiation that would be required to establish a new political system in Canada. Unlike Australia, where constitutional reform is confined largely to the future of the monarchy, in Canada, there are comparatively more pressing constitutional issues. Consequently, the 2004 election platforms of the main political parties focused far more upon the reform or abolition of the Senate, appointment of Supreme Court judges, and the powers of provincial governments, than on the future of the monarchy. A Canadian federal election (more formally, the 38th general election) was held on June 28, 2004 to elect members of the Canadian House of Commons. ... The Senate (French: Sénat) is a component of the Parliament of Canada, which also includes the Sovereign (represented by the Governor General) and the House of Commons. ... The Supreme Court Building in Ottawa The Supreme Court of Canada is Canadas highest court and is located in the capital city of Ottawa. ...

Some republicans have proposed that there be a national debate on the monarchy before the next sovereign is proclaimed. One constitutional scholar, Ted McWhinney, has argued that Canada can become a republic upon the demise of the current Queen by not proclaiming a successor. However, McWhinney's proposal remains unstudied, and thus publicly unsupported, by either the Canadian government or other constitutional experts. Monarchists have also pointed out that his proposal, like that put forward by republicans, assumes no input from the provinces regarding this attempt to change the status of the Crown, and ignores certain prescriptive clauses of the Constitution Act, such as Sections 9 and 17. Edward (Ted) McWhinney is a Canadian academic specializing in constitutional and international law. ... The Constitution of Canada is the supreme law in Canada. ...

The republican objectives of fellow Commonwealth Realms Australia, Jamaica and Barbados could possibly factor into the Canadian debate. The Prime Minister of Barbados is setting a goal for the end of 2005 for his country becoming a republic, and the Prime Minister of Jamaica has proposed same for his nation by 2007. However, both need only a majority vote in Parliament to implement, while Canada requires a much more difficult process to attain provincial consensus. A Commonwealth Realm is any one of the 16 sovereign states that recognize Queen Elizabeth II as their Queen and head of state. ...

While the issue may or may not achieve a level of prominence when the end of the current Queen's reign draws near, Canadians, in general, currently rate the issue far below others in national importance.

Recent polls

Support for the monarchy in Canada dropped to record lows in the late 1990s. In the first half of the new century, support for the monarchy has risen to include the majority of Canadians. However, the fact that many Canadians continue to not completely understand exactly what a "Head of State" is, or the exact nature of the Queen's current role in Canada can cause some problems in drawing concrete conclusions from poll results. Though a term originally coined for Republican presidents, a head of state or chief of state is now universally known as the chief public representative of a nation-state, federation or commonwealth, whose role generally includes personifying the continuity and legitimacy of the state and exercising the political powers, functions...

In 2002, the year of the Queen's golden jubilee, polls were taken by Canada's three biggest polling firms on Canadian views of the monarchy. 2002 is a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

• The 2002 [Ekos poll] found that support for abolition of the monarchy is declining, yet also highlighted many contradictions in public opinion. 48% agreed and 35% disagree with the statement, "Instead of a British monarch, we should have a Canadian citizen as our head of state." Yet at the same time 43% disagreed and 41% agreed to the same question, worded slightly differently: "it's time to abolish the monarchy in Canada." Again, monarchists suggest the confusion may arise from the skewed question which refers to the "British monarch" as Canada's head of state. (As the distinct Queen of Canada, sovereign of the Canadian Crown, many argue the monarchy is, in part, Canadian.) Only 5% were even aware that the Queen was in fact Canada's head of state, with 69% thinking it was the Prime Minister and 9% believing it was the Governor General. 55% agree that the monarchy keeps Canada distinct from the United States, while 33% disagree. This survey has often been cited as evidence of the lack of knowledge that many Canadians have of their government's institutions and functions. (Poll results—PDF document)

• The 2002 Ipsos-Reid poll found that 79% of Canadians support "the constitutional monarchy as Canada's form of government where we elect governments whose leader becomes Prime Minister." However, republicans suggest the result may have been skewed by the inclusion of "where we elect governments whose leader becomes Prime Minister." Also, 62% believe the monarchy helps to define Canada's identity. At the same time, 48% of Canadians say that "the constitutional monarchy is outmoded and would prefer a republican system of government with an elected head of state" and two-thirds (65%) believe the royals are merely celebrities and should not have any formal role in Canada. The same poll also found that 58% believe that "the issue of the monarchy and the form of Canada’s government isn’t important to them and if the system is working OK why go through all the fuss to change it." (Poll results—PDF document)

• The 2002 Leger Marketing poll found 50% said "yes" to the statement, "Elizabeth II is currently the Queen of Canada. Do you (yes or no) want Canada to maintain the monarchy?" 43% said "no". Also, a majority (56%) said "yes" to: "In your opinion, should we replace the head of Queen Elizabeth II on the Canadian dollar by those of people who have influenced Canadian history?" 39% said "no". (Poll results—PDF document)

• A March 2005 poll prepared by Pollara Inc. for Rogers Media Inc. and Maclean's indicated that 46% supported, while 37% opposed the statement: "Do you support or oppose Canada replacing the British Monarch as Canadian Head of State?" (Source: Maclean's magazine, March 21, 2005, p.15). This survey was deemed by monarchists as skewed for two reasons: It mentioned the "British Monarch" rather than the "Queen of Canada", and it was taken at after the announcement of Prince Charles's marriage to Camilla Parker Bowles — an announcement that was seen as unpopular even by some monarchists.

• A March 2005 Decima Research Poll found some interesting support levels for members of the Royal Family. 71% of Canadians had a favourable impression of the Royal Family. Only 20% had an unfavourable impression of the Royal Family. The poll found that 28% of Canadians saw the Queen as their favourite member of the Royal Family, Prince William was second with 26%, Prince Harry was third with 9%, Prince Charles was fourth with 6% and Prince Philip last with 2% support.

• An opinion poll conducted by Environics Research Group Ltd. for the CBC taken on the eve of Prince Charles' wedding to the Duchess of Cornwall found that 65% of Canadians support Charles as King. Only 27% of Canadians did not support him as King. (Poll results)

Ipsos-Reid is a research company founded in 1975 by Didier Truchot, a Paris-based communications specialist. ... Léger Marketing claims to be the largest independent research firm in Canada and is a member of Gallup International Association. ... Rogers Communications Inc. ... Macleans is Canadas leading weekly news magazine. ... CBC redirects here, as this is the most common use of the abbreviation. ... The Duchess of Cornwall is the title held by the wife of the Duke of Cornwall. ...

Notes

1. In 1997, British Prime Minister Tony Blair intended to offer a Life Peerage to Canadian businessman Conrad Black. Citing the 1919 Nickle Resolution, the Canadian government advised the Queen that they have objected to such honours for many years. If Blair had not backed down, the Queen would have been in the situation of having to grant an honour on the advice of the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, and to object to the same as Queen of Canada on the advice of then Prime Minister of Canada Jean Chrétien. The problem was resolved when Black renounced his Canadian citizenship. Canada raised no further objections and he was granted his peerage, becoming Lord Black of Crossharbour.
2. Refer to the Constantian Society's detailed comparison of the costs of monarchies versus republics. The Constantian Society

1997 is a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Right Honourable Anthony Charles Lynton Blair (born 6 May 1953 in Edinburgh, Scotland) is the current Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. ... In the United Kingdom, Life Peers are appointed members of the Peerage whose titles may not be inherited (those whose titles are inheritable are known as hereditary peers). ... Conrad Moffat Black, Baron Black of Crossharbour, OC, PC (born August 25, 1944 in Montreal, Quebec), is a Canadian-born British biographer, financier and newspaper magnate. ... The Nickle Resolution, passed by the Canadian House of Commons in 1919, established the policy of not granting knighthoods and peerages to Canadians, and set the precedent for later policies forbidding Canadians from accepting or holding titles of honour from foreign countries. ... Honour (or honor) comprises the reputation, self-perception or moral identity of an individual or of a group. ... The Right Honourable Joseph Jacques Jean Chrétien, PC (born January 11, 1934) was the twentieth Prime Minister of Canada, serving from November 4, 1993, to December 12, 2003. ...

See also

• Dominion
• Commonwealth Realm
• L'Anse-Saint-Jean, Quebec
• Australian Constitutional History describes the parallel history of the monarchy in another former British dominion.
• List of Governors General of Canada
• Lists of Lieutenant Governors of: Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Northwest Territories
• Lists of Commissioners of: Northwest Territories, Yukon, Nunavut
• Prime Ministers of Queen Elizabeth II
• List of Commonwealth visits made by Queen Elizabeth II
• Canadian honours system

This is a page about Dominions of the British Empire/Commonwealth. ... A Commonwealth Realm is any one of the 16 sovereign states of the Commonwealth that recognize Queen Elizabeth II as their Queen and head of state. ... LAnse-Saint-Jean is a small town, population 1269 (2001) in the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region of Quebec, Canada. ... Emergence of the Commonwealth of Australia Main article: Australian federation After European settlement in 1788, Australia was politically organized as a number of separate British colonies, eventually six in all. ... The following is a list of the Governors and Governors General of Canada and the previous territories and colonies that now make up the country. ... A Lieutenant Governor is a government official who is the subordinate or deputy of a Governor or Governor-General. ... This is a list of the lieutenant-governors of Alberta, Canada, since its establishment in 1905. ... Categories: Lieutenant Governors of British Columbia | Lists of office-holders ... This is a historical list of the lieutenant governors of Manitoba, a province of Canada. ... Lieutenant-Governors of New Brunswick prior to Confederation Lieutenant-Governors of New Brunswick post-Confederation Categories: Lieutenant Governors of New Brunswick ... This is a list of viceroys for the colony, dominion and province of Newfoundland and Labrador. ... British Governors of Nova Scotia from 1710 to Confederation The flag of the Lieutenant-Governor of Nova Scotia Lieutenant-Governors of Nova Scotia post-Confederation Categories: Nova Scotia | Lieutenant Governors of Nova Scotia ... This is a list of Lieutenant Governors of the Canadian province of Ontario. ... This is a list of viceroys for Prince Edward Island (which was known as until 1799). ... This is a list of Lieutenant Governors of the Canadian province of Quebec. ... This is a list of the lieutenant-governors of Saskatchewan, Canada, since its establishment in 1905. ... This a list of the lieutenant-governors of the Northwest Territories. ... A Commissioner is one of various classes of persons who holds an office by virtue of a commission in the normally from the head of state, particularly of a state in the Commonwealth of Nations. ... Commissioners of the Northwest Territories since 1905. ... This is a list of Yukon Commissioners from 1897 to the present. ... This is a list of the Commissioners of Nunavut Territory, Canada, since its creation in 1999. ... HM the Queen with Commonwealth Prime Ministers, in the 1950s. ... Fifties February 1952 Kenya 24-25 November 1953 Bermuda 25-27 November 1953 Jamaica 17-19 December 1953 Fiji 19-20 December 1953 Tonga 23 December 1953 - 30 January 1954 New Zealand 3 February - 1 April 1954 Australia 5 April 1954 Cocos Islands 10-21 April 1954 Ceylon 27 April... The Canadian honours system has developed as a unique entity since the centennial of Canadian Confederation in 1967 when the first distinctly Canadian honour, the Order of Canada was created. ...

External links

Official sites from the Canadian government

• Official site of the Canadian Monarchy
• Canada: A Constitutional Monarchy from the Government of Canada
• 2005 Royal Tour official website
• Golden Jubilee Celebrations in Canada

Pro-monarchist views

• Monarchist League of Canada
• Canadian Monarchist ONLINE, a Canadian website promoting Canada's constitutional monarchy
• Canadian Royal Heritage Trust
• The Canadian Crown

Anti-monarchist views

• Citizens for a Canadian Republic Canada's republican movement
• Monarchy-Free Canada Canadian republican and anti-monarchy news site
• Res Publica International anti-monarchy database: Canada

Commonwealth Realms
Antigua and Barbuda | Australia | Bahamas | Barbados | Belize | Canada | Grenada | Jamaica | New Zealand | Papua New Guinea | Saint Kitts and Nevis | Saint Lucia | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | Solomon Islands | Tuvalu | United Kingdom