The monarchy of Canada, also known as the Canadian monarchy,[1][2] is a system of government in which a hereditary monarch is the sovereign of Canada, holding the position of head of state; presently Elizabeth II, officially called Queen of Canada (French: Reine du Canada), who has reigned since February 6, 1952. The Queen, her husband and consort, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, their eldest son and heir apparent, Prince Charles, and other members of the Canadian Royal Family, including the Queen's other children and cousins, undertake various public ceremonial functions across Canada and on behalf of Canada abroad. However, the Queen is presently the only member of the Royal Family with any constitutional role.
Though the monarch does hold several powers that are hers alone, most of the Queen's constitutional and ceremonial duties in Canada are carried out by the Governor General, at present Michaëlle Jean, who maintains direct contact with the monarch,[3] but is still sometimes referred to as the de facto head of state.[4] In each of Canada's provinces the monarch is represented by a Lieutenant-Governor. The territories are not sovereign, and thus do not have a viceroy.
The Canadian monarch, besides reigning in Canada, separately serves as head of state for each of fifteen other Commonwealth countries, putting Canada in a personal union relationship with those other states. This developed from the former colonial relationship of these countries to the United Kingdom, but they are now independent and the monarchy of each is legally distinct.
The Canadian Crown is sometimes colloquially dubbed the Maple Crown,[5] a term first coined by Governor General Lord Grey in 1905, when he stated about his inauguration of Alberta and Saskatchewan in a telegram to King Edward VII "[each one] a new leaf in Your Majesty's Maple Crown."[6]
Origins
The current Canadian monarchy can trace its ancestral lineage back to the Anglo-Saxon period, and ultimately back to the kings of the Angles and the early Scottish kings. Parts of the territories that today comprise Canada were claimed under King Francis I in 1534, while others were claimed by Queen Elizabeth I in 1583; both of whom are blood relatives of the current monarch. Throughout the 18th century, via war and treaties, the Canadian colonies of France were ceded to King George III. The colonies were confederated by Queen Victoria in 1867 to form Canada as a kingdom in its own right,[7] and the country was proclaimed fully independent, via constitutional patriation, by Queen Elizabeth II in 1982.
International and domestic aspects
Sixteen states within the 53-member Commonwealth of Nations are in a personal union relationship and are known as Commonwealth realms;[8][9][10][11] Canada is one of these. Despite sharing the same person as their respective national monarch, each of the Commonwealth realms is sovereign and independent of the others.[12]
- See also: Commonwealth realm: The Crown in the Commonwealth realms
Shared monarchy
The Balfour Declaration of 1926 provided the Dominions the right to be considered equal to Britain, rather than subordinate; an agreement that had the result of a shared Crown that operates independently in each realm rather than a unitary British Crown under which all the Dominions were secondary. The monarchy thus ceased to be an exclusively British institution, although it has often been called British since this time (in both legal and common language) for reasons historical, political, and of convenience. The Royal and Parliamentary Titles Act, 1927 was the first indication of this shift in law, further elaborated in the Statute of Westminster, 1931.
Though constitutional laws governing the line of succession to the Canadian throne lie within the control of the Canadian parliament,[13] via adopting the Statute of Westminster Canada agreed not to change its rules of succession without the unanimous consent of the other realms, unless explicitly leaving the shared monarchy relationship. This situation applies symmetrically in all the other realms, including the United Kingdom, a situation that has been likened to a treaty amongst these countries.[14] Besides the two countries having symmetrical Acts of Settlement, there is no provision in Canadian law that states the King or Queen of Canada must be the same person as the King or Queen of the United Kingdom; thus, if the United Kingdom were to breach the convention set out in the preamble to the Statute of Westminster and change the line of succession to the British throne without Canada's consent, the alteration would have no effect on the reigning sovereign of Canada or his or her heirs and successors.[13]
On all matters of the Canadian state, the monarch is advised solely by Canadian federal and provincial Ministers of the Crown.[2] Effective with the Constitution Act, 1982, no British or other realm government can advise the monarch on any matters pertinent to Canada.[15]
- Further information: Queen's Privy Council for Canada
Title
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In Canada, the Queen's official title is:
- In English: 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: 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.
This style communicates Canada's status as an independent monarchy, highlighting the sovereign's role specifically as Queen of Canada, as well as the shared aspect of the Crown throughout the realms, by mentioning Canada separately from the other countries. Typically, the sovereign is styled "Queen of Canada," and is addressed as such when in Canada, or performing duties on behalf of Canada abroad.
Although the Queen's Canadian titles include "Defender of the Faith/Défenseur de la Foi," neither the Queen nor any of her governors has any religious role in Canada; there have been no established churches in Canada since before confederation.
- Further information: List of titles and honours of Queen Elizabeth II
Finance
Contrary to common misconception, Canadians do not pay any money to the Queen, either for personal income or to support the royal residences outside of Canada. Only when the Queen is in Canada, or acting abroad as Queen of Canada, does she draw from Canadian coffers for support in the performance of her duties. This rule applies equally to other members of the Royal Family.[16] Usually the Queen's Canadian governments pay only for the costs associated with the Governor General and Lieutenant Governors in their exercising of the powers of the Crown on behalf of the Queen, including travel, security, residences, offices, ceremonial occasions, etc.[16]
Provincial and federal records of expenditures associated with the Crown are kept, but no official report on the cost of the monarchy to Canadians is compiled. However, every three years the Monarchist League of Canada issues a survey, based on various federal and provincial government budgets, expenditures and estimates, that outlines a yearly cost for the functioning of the Crown. The 2005 survey found that the institution cost Canadians roughly $49 million in 2004.[17]
Previous surveys found that the overall cost of the Canadian Crown was $22 million in 1999,[18] and $34 million in 2002.[16][19] (This does not take into account the inflation of the Canadian Dollar over these years.)
Succession
The heir apparent is Elizabeth II's eldest son, Charles.[20] Upon the demise of the Crown the Queen's Privy Council for Canada is expected to proclaim him King of Canada upon his accession to the throne.
Succession to the throne is by male-preference primogeniture, and governed by the provisions of the Act of Settlement, 1701, as well as the English Bill of Rights; these documents, though originally passed by the Parliament of England, are now part of Canadian constitutional law, under control of the Canadian parliament only. As such, the rules for succession are not fixed, but may be changed by a constitutional amendment. This legislation restricts the succession to the natural (i.e. non-adopted), legitimate descendants of Sophia, Electress of Hanover (1630–1714), a granddaughter of James I, and lays out the rules that the monarch cannot be a Roman Catholic, nor married to one, and must be in communion with the Church of England upon ascending the throne, a provision that has led to an unsuccessful legal challenge, O'Donohue v. Canada. As Canada's laws governing succession are currently identical to those of the United Kingdom (by the Statute of Westminster), see Succession to the British Throne for more information.
Upon a demise of the Crown (the death or abdication of a sovereign), his or her heir immediately and automatically succeeds, without any need for confirmation or further ceremony; hence arises the phrase "The King is dead. Long live the King!" Nevertheless, it is customary for the accession of the sovereign to be publicly proclaimed by the Governor General, on behalf of the Queen's Privy Council, which meets at Rideau Hall. After an appropriate period of mourning has passed, the sovereign is also coronated, though this ceremony is not necessary for a sovereign to reign; for example, Edward VIII was never crowned, yet was undoubtedly king during his short reign. All incumbent viceroys, judges, civil servants, legislators, military officers, etc., are not affected by the death of the monarch, as set out in the 1927 Act Respecting the Demise of the Crown, though they are required to again take the Oath of Allegiance.[21]
After an individual ascends the throne, he or she typically continues to reign until death. Monarchs are not allowed to unilaterally abdicate; the only Canadian monarch to abdicate, Edward VIII, did so with the authorization of the Canadian government for His Majesty's Declaration of Abdication Act 1936 to apply in Canada. A special Act of the Canadian Parliament: the Succession to the Throne Act 1937, later confirmed this in law.
Constitutional role
Canada's constitution is made up of a variety of statutes and conventions that are either British or Canadian in origin, which gives Canada a similar parliamentary system of government to the other Commonwealth realms. All powers of state are constitutionally reposed in the monarch,[22] who is represented at the federal level by the Governor General of Canada – appointed by the monarch upon the advice of the Prime Minister of Canada – and at the provincial level by Lieutenant Governors – appointed by the Governor General upon the advice of the Prime Minister, usually in consultation with the relevant provincial premier;[23] the monarch is informed of the Prime Minister's decision before the Governor General gives Royal Assent.[24] Most of the Queen's domestic duties are performed by these vice-regal representatives.
As all executive authority is vested in the sovereign, the institutions of government are said to act under her authority; hence, the government of Canada is formally referred to as Her Majesty's Government in Canada,[25] however, since the early 1970s, though the constitutional arrangements have not changed, the government is more often addressed simply as The Government of Canada. As such, the constitution instructs that any change to the position of the monarch, or the monarch's representatives in Canada, requires the consent of the Senate, the House of Commons, and the legislative assemblies of all the provinces.
Constitutional duties
The role of the Queen and the Governor General is both legal and practical; the Crown is regarded as a corporation, in which several parts share the authority of the whole, with the Queen as the person at the centre of the constitutional construct.[26]
The vast powers that belong to the Crown, collectively known as the Royal Prerogative, include many powers, such as the ability to make treaties and send ambassadors and include certain duties, such as defense the realm and to maintenance of the Queen's peace. Parliamentary approval is not required for the exercise of the Royal Prerogative; moreover, the consent of the Crown must be obtained before either of the Houses of Parliament may even debate a bill affecting the sovereign's prerogatives or interests. It is important to note that the Royal Prerogative belongs to the Crown, and not to any of the ministers, though it may sometimes appear that way.[26] Although the Royal Prerogative is extensive, it is not unlimited. For example, the monarch does not have the prerogative to impose and collect new taxes; such an action requires the authorization of an Act of Parliament.
The Crown appoints a prime minister, who advises the monarch and Governor General on how to execute their executive powers. In accordance with unwritten constitutional conventions, the monarch or Governor General must appoint the individual most likely to maintain the support of the House of Commons: usually, the leader of the party with a majority in that house. In a parliament in which no party or coalition holds a majority, the Crown is required, by convention, to appoint the individual most likely to command the support of the House of Commons, usually, but not necessarily, the leader of the largest party. Thus, for example, Paul Martin remained Prime Minister for over a year after the 2004 election, even though his party did not command a majority in the commons. Situations can arise in which the Governor General's judgement about the most suitable leader to be Prime Minister has to be brought into play.[27] The Queen is informed by the Governor General of the acceptance of the resignation of a prime minister and the swearing-in of a new prime minister and members of the ministry.[27]
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The Crown is an integral part of a practical form of government, and as such it has a direct and substantive part to play in the lives of all Canadians.[28] |
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—David E. Smith, The Invisible Crown, 1995
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It is a duty of the Crown to also appoint and dismiss ministers, members of various executive agencies, and other officials. The appointment of lieutenant governors, Privy Councillors, Senators, the Speaker of the Senate, Supreme Court justices, and Superior and County Court judges in each province, also falls under the Royal Prerogative, though these duties are specifically assigned to the Governor General by the Constitution Act, 1867, save for the appointment of judges to the Courts of Probate in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. Effectively, however, the appointees are chosen by the Prime Minister, or, for less important offices, by other ministers. The lieutenant governors are also specifically delegated to appoint under the Great Seal of the Province, the Attorney General, the Secretary and Registrar of the Province, the Treasurer of the Province, the Commissioner of Crown Lands, and the Commissioner of Agriculture and Public Works, and in the Case of Quebec the Solicitor General.
In addition, it is the Crown's prerogative to declare war, make peace, and direct the actions of the military, although the Prime Minister holds de facto decision-making power over the armed forces. The Royal Prerogative also extends to foreign affairs: the sovereign or Governor General may negotiate and ratify treaties, alliances, and international agreements; no parliamentary approval is required. However, a treaty cannot alter the domestic laws of Canada; an Act of Parliament is necessary in such cases. The Governor General, on behalf of the Queen, also accredits Canadian High Commissioners and ambassadors, and receives diplomats from foreign states. In addition, all Canadian passports are issued in the monarch's name. In Canada, major public inquiries are called Royal Commissions, and are created by the Cabinet, on behalf of the monarch, through a Royal Warrant.
The sovereign is one of the three components of parliament; the others are the Senate and the House of Commons. The Constitution Act, 1867, also outlines that the Governor General alone is responsible for summoning the House of Commons, though it remains the monarch's prerogative to prorogue, and dissolve parliament. The new parliamentary session is marked by the State Opening of Parliament, during which either the monarch or the Governor General reads the Speech from the Throne in the Senate Chamber, outlining the Government's legislative agenda. A general election follows dissolution, the writs for which are dropped by the Governor General at Rideau Hall.
There are also a few duties which must be specifically performed by, or bills that require assent by, the Queen. These include signing the appointment papers of Governors General, the confirmation of awards of Canadian honours, and the approval of any change in her Canadian title.[29] On occasion the monarch must personally act directly in partisan affairs. For example, this occurred when Queen Elizabeth II directed that the number of Senate seats be increased to assure passage of the GST.
In the last example, the Queen performed this task on the advice of Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, illustrating that because the Canadian monarchy is a constitutional one, the powers that are constitutionally the monarch's are exercised almost wholly upon the advice of the Prime Minister and the Ministers of the Crown in Cabinet, who are, in turn, accountable to the democratically elected House of Commons, and through it, to the people. It has been said since the death of Queen Anne in 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. This means that the monarch's role, and thereby the Vicegerent's role, is almost entirely symbolic and cultural, acting as a symbol of the legal authority under which all governments and agencies operate. The Queen is fully briefed through regular communications from her Canadian ministers, and holds audience with them where possible.[3]
In exceptional circumstances, however, the monarch or vice-regal representative can act against such advice based upon his or her reserve powers[26] – as when Governor General Julian Byng refused a request by Prime Minister William Mackenzie King for a dissolution of Parliament and call for new elections, resulting in the King-Byng Affair. Also, Lieutenant Governor of Alberta, John C. Bowen, in 1937 refused to grant Royal Assent to three bills passed by William Aberhart's Social Credit government on the grounds that they were unconstitutional,[30] and Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan Frank Lindsay Bastedo reserved Royal Assent to a bill in 1961, passing it on, instead, to the Governor General for consideration.[31]
Provinces
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The Canadian monarchy is a federal one. Under this system the Crown is unitary across the country, the headship of state being a part of neither the federal nor provincial jurisdictions; the Queen reigns impartially over the country as a whole; meaning the sovereignty of the provinces is passed on not by the Governor General or the Canadian parliament, but through the Crown itself. This means that, though unitary, the Crown is "divided" into eleven legal jurisdictions; into eleven "crowns" – one federal and ten provincial.[32] The Fathers of Confederation viewed this system of constitutional monarchy as a bulkwark against any potential fracturing of the Canadian federation.[33]
A Lieutenant Governor serves as the Queen's representative in each province, carrying out all the monarch's constitutional and ceremonial duties of state on her behalf. The Commissioners of Canada's territories of Nunavut, Yukon, and Northwest Territories are appointed by the Governor-in-Council, at the recommendation of the federal Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development. But as the territories are not sovereign entities, the commissioners are not representatives of the sovereign. They receive instruction from the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development.
Legal role
All laws in Canada are enacted with the sovereign's, or the viceroy's signature, though there is some debatewho? over whether the monarch is constitutionally allowed to personally grant Royal Assent to provincial bills. Thus, all federal bills begin with the phrase "Now, therefore, Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows."[34] The granting of a signature to a bill is known as Royal Assent; it is required for all acts of parliament and of the provincial legislatures, usually granted or withheld by the Governor General or Lieutenant Governor, with the Great Seal of Canada, or the appropriate provincial seal. The Governor General may reserve a bill for the monarch's pleasure, that is to say, allow the monarch to make a personal decision on the bill. A Lieutenant Governor of a province may similarly defer to the Governor General (who may in turn defer to the monarch). The monarch has the power to disallow any bill, within a time limit specified by the Constitution. Recently activists opposed to Bill C-38 lobbied Queen Elizabeth II to disallow the legislation after it was passed by parliament. However it received Royal Assent from The Right Honourable Beverley McLachlin, Deputy of the Governor General, on July 20, 2005. Territorial legislatures, unlike their provincial counterparts, are subject to the oversight of the Government of Canada.[35][36][37]
The sovereign is deemed the "fount of justice," and is responsible for rendering justice for all subjects; however, he or she does not personally rule in judicial cases. Instead, judicial functions are performed in his or her name. Hence, the common law holds that the sovereign "can do no wrong"; the monarch cannot be prosecuted in his or her own courts for criminal offences. Civil lawsuits against the Crown in its public capacity (that is, lawsuits against the government) are permitted; however, lawsuits against the monarch personally are not cognizable. In international cases, as a sovereign and under established principles of international law, the Queen of Canada is not subject to suit in foreign courts without her express consent.[25] The sovereign, and by extension the Governor General, also exercises the "prerogative of mercy," and may pardon offences against the Crown. Pardons may be awarded before, during, or after a trial.
In addition, the monarch also serves as a symbol of the legitimacy of courts of justice, and of their judicial authority. An image of the Queen or the Arms of Her Majesty in Right of Canada is always displayed in Canadian courtrooms; exceptions are the courts of British Columbia, the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador, and some of the courts of Ontario, where the Arms of Her Majesty in Right of the United Kingdom are displayed as a symbol of the judiciary.[38][39] Itinerant judges will display an image of the Queen and the Canadian flag when holding a session away from established courtrooms; such situations occur in parts of Canada where the stakeholders in a given court case are too isolated geographically to be able to travel for regular proceedings.
In Canada the legal personality of the state is referred to as "Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada" (French: Sa Majesté la Reine du chef du Canada), and likewise for the provinces and territories (i.e., "in Right of Ontario," etc.).[40] 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. Likewise, in a case in which a party sues both the province of Saskatchewan and the federal government, the respondents would formally be called "Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Saskatchewan" and "Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada."[41] In this capacity, all Crown copyright is held by the Queen, either in Right of Canada or of a relevant province.[42]
As such, the monarch is the owner of all state lands, buildings, and equipment – called Crown land and Crown held property[43] – though only in his or her position as sovereign, and not as an individual. Government staff are also employed by the monarch; the Supreme Court of Canada found in the 1980 case Attorney General of Quebec v. Labrecque that civil servants in Canada are not contracted by an abstraction called "the state," but rather they are employed by the monarch, who personifies the state (see below) and "enjoys a general capacity to contract in accordance with the rule of ordinary law."[44] This situation is similar for the governors, judges, members of the Canadian Forces, police officers, and parliamentarians, who all technically work for the monarch. Hence, these people are required by law to recite the Oath of Allegiance, which is to the Canadian sovereign, before taking their posts. However, the 2003 Public Services Modernization Act ended the requirement of civil servants to swear allegiance to the Queen. Also, by the Citizenship Act, new citizens also must swear allegiance to the monarch in the Oath of Citizenship, in reciprocation to the sovereign's Coronation Oath, wherein he or she promises "to govern the Peoples of... Canada... according to their respective laws and customs."[45]
- Further information: The Crown
Cultural role
Representing the state
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The Canadian Crown continues as a key element of our parliamentary democracy and an enduring symbol that represents all generations of Canadians and the best that is our country.[46] |
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—Department of Canadian Heritage, 2005
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At one time the monarchy was considered a purely British institution, both culturally and legally, when most Canadians still continued to be, both by law and by personal view, British subjects. However, paralleling the changes in constitutional law, and the evolution of Canadian nationalism, the cultural role of the monarchy in Canada altered.
Since the late 1980s, the federal and provincial governments have recognized and promoted the Queen's role as monarch of Canada as separate to her position as monarch of the United Kingdom.[47][48][49] Today the sovereign is regarded as the personification of the Canadian state, and is described by the Department of Canadian Heritage as the "personal symbol of allegiance, unity and authority for all Canadians,"[7][3] a concept akin to the statement by King Louis XIV, "l'État, c'est moi," or, "I am the state."[50] Elizabeth II said in 1973:
- "But it is as Queen of Canada that I am here, Queen of Canada and of all Canadians, not just of one or two ancestral strains. I want the Crown to be seen as a symbol of national sovereignty belonging to all. It is not only a link between Commonwealth nations, but between Canadian citizens of every national origin and ancestry."
As the personification of the state, the monarch is the locus of oaths of allegiance; it states in the Rules & Forms of the House of Commons of Canada that "allegiance to the King means allegiance to the Country."[51]
Past Ontario chairman of the Monarchist League of Canada Gary Toffoli stated: "The Queen is the legal embodiment of the state at both the national and the provincial levels. There is no other legal embodiment. That is why the oath is taken to the Queen. It is not taken because she is an admirable person in her own right or because it is a nice tradition to maintain. It is taken to the Queen because she is our sovereign and it is the role of the Queen, recognized by the constitutional law of Canada, to embody the state.[52]
Royal presence and duties
Members of the Royal Family have been present in Canada since the late 1700s, either on military maneuvers, for official tours, the vice-regal representative of the British, and later Canadian monarch.
Though the monarch and the rest of the Royal Family live predominantly in the United Kingdom, they will, from time to time, carry out ceremonial duties related to Canada; members visit regularly enough, so that on occasion royal visits to Canada are also referred to by monarchists as Royal Homecomings. Usually important milestones, anniversaries, or celebrations of Canadian culture will warrant the presence of the monarch, and other royals will be asked to participate in lesser occasions. In these instances, when acting at the direction of the Canadian Cabinet, they are doing so as monarch of Canada and members of the Canadian Royal Family,[53] respectively, and will carry out two types of duties:
Official duties involve the sovereign representing the state at home or abroad, or other Royal Family members participating in a government organised ceremony in Canada or elsewhere.[54][55][56][57][58] For example, the monarch and/or his or her family have been involved in events in Canada such as various centennials and bicentennials, Canada Day, the openings of Pan American, Olympic and other games, anniversaries of First Nations treaty signings, award ceremonies, D-Day commemorations, anniversaries of the monarch's accession, and the like. Presently, the Department of Canadian Heritage is responsible for organizing official events in Canada involving the Royal Family, as part of the State Ceremonial and Canadian Symbols Program.[59][60] Also, while the sovereign and his or her family more frequently represent the UK abroad, as directed by the British Cabinet, and typically the Governor General, as representative of the monarch, will undertake state visits and other foreign duties on behalf of Canada,[61][62] the Royal Family have taken part in Canadian events overseas: King Edward VIII dedicated the Canadian National Vimy Memorial in France,[63] George VI and his wife visited the United States as King and Queen of Canada,[64][65] and Queen Elizabeth II has undertaken duties on behalf of Canada in the US,[66][67][68] the United Kingdom,[69][70] and France.[70][71][72][73] Other royals have participated in Canadian ceremonies abroad such as Prince Charles at the anniversary of D-Day in France,[74] and Prince Edward at the anniversary of the Battle of Passchendaele in Belgium.[75][76]
Unofficial duties are performed by Royal Family members on behalf of Canadian organizations of which they may be patrons, through their attendance at charity events, visiting with members of the Canadian Forces as Colonel-in-Chief, or marking certain key anniversaries.[58] The invitation and expenses associated with these undertakings are usually borne by the associated organization. In 2002 members of the Royal Family were present at a total of 117 Canadian engagements, 57 events in 2003, 19 in 2004, and 76 in 2005.
Apart from Canada, the Queen and other members of the Royal Family regularly perform public duties in the other fifteen nations of the Commonwealth in which the Queen is head of state (see, for example, List of Commonwealth visits made by Queen Elizabeth II). As the Crown within these countries is a legally separate entity from the Canadian Crown, it is funded in these countries individually, through the ordinary legislative budgeting process. This situation, however, can mean the monarch and/or members of the Royal Family will be promoting one nation and not another; a situation that has been met with criticism, such as former External Affairs Minister Mitchell Sharp's comments on a situation wherein Elizabeth II was in Latin America to promote British goods at the same time a Canadian ministerial trip to the same area was underway to promote Canadian products. Sharp stated: "We couldn't ask Her Majesty to perform the function she was performing for Britain on that Latin American trip because the Queen is never recognized as Queen of Canada, except when she is in Canada."[77] However, the Queen subsequently represented Canada abroad on a number of following occasions, as listed above.
- Further information: Royal tours of Canada
Symbols
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The main symbol of the monarchy is the sovereign herself; described as "the personal expression of the Crown in Canada."[78] Thus, the monarchy is symbolized through images of the sovereign on currency and in portraits in public buildings; in songs, toasts and salutes;[79][80] on decorations and honours; and on provincial and national coats of arms. Certain key days are also reserved to celebrate the monarchy, notably the Monday before 25 May (also, by statute, Victoria Day) – the holiday for celebrating the reigning sovereign's birthday[81] – and the day of the Royal Christmas Message, broadcast to the Commonwealth of Nations since 1932.
There are also hundreds of places named for Canadian monarchs and members of the Royal Family all across Canada. No individual has been more honoured than Queen Victoria in the names of Canada's public buildings, streets, populated places and physical features.[82]
- Further information: National symbols of Canada and Canadian royal sites
History
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The first French and British colonizers of Canada interpreted the hereditary nature of some indigenous North American chieftainships as a form of monarchy, often referring to these leaders as kings and their lands as kingdoms.[83] There is also evidence that the aboriginals had a similar understanding of monarchy, most notably in the legend of the Kingdom of Saguenay, and tales of "wealthy kingdoms in the north" told by Iroquoians to Jacques Cartier in 1534.[84][85]
Canada has been the territory of a monarchy, or a monarchy in its own right, since the establishment of New France. Territory of the French Crown was merged with the North American colonies under the British Crown through the Treaty of Paris in 1763. In 1867, Canada became a self-governing Dominion under the British Crown (originally intended to be named the Kingdom of Canada), and, from that date to the patriation of the Canadian constitution in 1982, Canada developed into a kingdom in its own right. Thus, kings and queens reigning over Canada have included the monarchs of France (from Francis I in 1534 to Louis XV in 1763), those of the UK (from Anne of Great Britain in 1713 to King George VI in 1952), to Queen Elizabeth II as Queen of Canada today.
Canada's emergence as a sovereign constitutional monarchy after 1931 was demonstrated in the abdication of King Edward VIII in 1936; when Canada had to pass its own Succession to the Throne Act, which effected changes to the rules of succession in Canada so that they matched those within the other realms of the British Commonwealth.[86] A few years later, Canada's new status was again demonstrated when King George VI and Queen Elizabeth travelled from Canada into the United States as King and Queen of Canada.[87] The Constitution Act of 1982 was said to have entrenched the monarchy in Canada, due to the stringent requirements, as laid out in the amending formula, that must be met to alter the monarchy in any way.
Continuing the tradition started in the early 1800s, throughout the 20th century members of the Royal Family coninued to tour the country, as the viceroy and/or to mark key events. A milestone was reached in 1939, when King George VI became the first reigning monarch to tour Canada, as well as to visit the United States as King of Canada. As ease of travel increased, visits by the sovereign and/or Royal Family members became more and more frequent, seeing the Queen Elizabeth II officiate at such important moments as the opening of the Saint Lawrence Seaway in 1959; the Canadian Centennial in 1967; the opening of the 1976 Olympics in Montreal; the patriation of the Constitution in 1982, the 500th anniversary, in 1997, of Cabot's landing at Bonavista; and more. However, through the 1960s and 1970s, the rise of Quebec nationalism and changes in Canadian identity created an atmosphere where the purpose and role of the monarchy came into question. Some references to the monarch and the monarchy were slowly removed from the public eye, and moves were made by the federal government to constitutionally alter the monarchy's place and role in Canada, though the system has remained essentially the same.[88]
In 1999, it was reported in the media that the federal government was considering the idea of changing Canada to a republic, news that drew some negative reaction, and denial by the then Prime Minister. A survey of the provincial premiers at the time showed only one in favour of such a move.[89] Soon after, the Queen's Golden Jubilee took place in 2002, celebrating Elizabeth II's fifty years as Queen of Canada; the concurrent country-wide tour by the sovereign and her consort, and the attendant fêtes, proved popular with Canadians.[90][91][92]
Canadian Royal Family
The Canadian Royal Family is a group of people closely related to the monarch of Canada;[93] it is a non-resident royal family, as those who comprise the group live predominantly in the United Kingdom; some members have lived in Canada for extended periods as viceroy, such as Alexander Cambridge, 1st Earl of Athlone. Members often perform ceremonial and social duties but, aside from the monarch, have no role in the affairs of government. Those who comprise the Royal Family carry the style His or Her Majesty (HM), His or Her Royal Highness (HRH), or sometimes The Right Honourable (in French: Sa Majesté (SM), Son Altesse Royale (SAR), and Le très honorable), which usually results in the application of the term to: the monarch, the consort of the monarch, the widowed consorts of previous monarchs, the children of the monarch, the male-line grandchildren of the monarch, and the spouses and the widowed spouses of a monarch's son and male-line grandsons.
It has been stated by the Canadian Royal Heritage Trust that Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, due to his having lived in Canada between 1791 and 1800, and his being father of Queen Victoria, is "the ancestor of the modern Canadian Royal Family."[94] However, the concept of the Canadian Royal Family did not emerge until after the passage of the Statute of Westminster in 1931. Though the act came into effect during the reign of King George V, Canadian officials only began to overtly consider putting the principles of Canada's new status as an independent kingdom into effect during the late 1930s.[95] At first, the monarch was the only member of the Royal Family to carry out public ceremonial duties solely on the advice of Canadian ministers; King Edward VIII became the first to do so when he dedicated the Vimy Memorial in July, 1936 – one of his few obligations performed during his short reign.[96] Over the decades, however, the monarch's children, grandchildren, cousins, and their respective spouses began to perform functions at the direction of the Canadian government, representing the monarch within Canada or abroad.
Despite the length of service, it was not until October 2002, when the term Canadian Royal Family was first used publicly and officially by a member of it: in a speech given to the Nunavut legislature at its opening, Queen Elizabeth II stated: "I am proud to be the first member of the Canadian Royal Family to be greeted in Canada's newest territory."[97] Still, the Canadian media often still refer to the Royal Family as the British Royal Family.[98][99]
Composition
Members of the Canadian Royal Family gathered for a dinner celebrating the 60th wedding anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh.
Queen Elizabeth II is the head of the Royal Family; her family is considered Canada's Royal Family.[100] Those in the direct line of succession owe their allegiance to Elizabeth II specifically as the Queen of Canada,[101] and, according to the Department of National Defence, members of the family who bear the style Royal Highness are subjects specifically of the Canadian monarch,[102] They are entitled to Canadian consular assistance and to the protection of the Queen's armed forces of Canada when they are outside of the Commonwealth realms, and in need of protection or aid.[101] Their position as subjects but not citizens of Canada is reflected in the confusion that arises around the awarding of honours to members of the Royal Family; for example, the Order of Canada bestowed upon the Queen Mother was only honorary, though the Canadian Forces Decoration awarded to her was not.[103][104]
Although there is no strict legal or formal definition of who is or is not a member of the Royal Family[105] – a royal family is loosely defined as the extended family of a monarch – according to former Minister of Canadian Heritage Sheila Copps, the Canadian federal government does maintain an official list of Royal Family members for matters of honours and protocol.[106] Because of the shared nature of the Crown, most members of the Canadian Royal Family are also members of the British Royal Family, and are thus also members of the House of Windsor. There are some exceptions, however; for instance Angus Ogilvy was included in the Department of Canadian Heritage's Royal Family list,[107] whereas he was not considered a member of the British Royal Family.
There has been one marriage of a Canadian citizen into the extended royal family, and a second such marriage is expected to take place soon. In 1988, Sylvana Jones (neé Tomaselli) married George Windsor, Earl of St Andrews, a great-grandson of George V. On July 28, 2007, the engagement was announced of Peter Phillips to Autumn Kelly, of Montreal;[108] Phillips is the son of Princess Anne, and the eldest grandchild of Queen Elizabeth II. Divorced spouses of the monarch's descendants are removed from the official government list of Royal Family members, as was the case with Diana, Princess of Wales.[106]
Canadian poet George Elliott Clarke has publicly opined on a fully First Nations royal family, asking "why can't a truly Canadian royal family be Aboriginal or Métis? I think the project... would do wonders for national identity and national unity."[109] However, this would contravene the convention laid out in the preamble to the Statute of Westminster (a part of the Canadian Constitution).
The existence of a Canadian royal family has been contested by some, mostly in the small Canadian republican movement. However, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia Iona Campagnolo has also stated she feels Canada does not "really have a royal family."[23]
- See also: List of Members
Styles
Unlike in the United Kingdom, in Canada the sovereign is the only member of the Royal Family who has a title established through law. Though it would be possible for other members of the Royal Family to be granted distinctly Canadian titles (as is the case for the Duke of Rothesay in Scotland), they have always been, and continue to only be accorded the use of a courtesy title, which is the style they have been granted via Letters Patent in the United Kingdom.
However, in Canada these styles are also translated to French. The most senior members of the Royal Family are styled as follows:
Popularity
The popularity of the Royal Family with Canadians, as well as individual members of it, has fluctuated over the years. Mirroring the mood in the United Kingdom, the family's lowest approval was during the mid 1980s to 1990s when the children of the monarch were enduring their divorces, and were the targets of negative tabloid reporting. Some recent poll results follow:
- An EKOS Research Associates Poll conducted in May 2002, concluded that 35% of Canadians found the Royal Family boring, 52% saw them as interesting, with 12% stating neither. 44% said they were irrelevant, 46% said the opposite, and 8% said neither. 59% saw the Royal Family as tired, 22% deemed them vibrant, and 17% put them at neither.[110]
- 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 W
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