The Crown and Canada

Canada is a parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II as Sovereign.

As a constitutional monarch, the sovereign no longer "rules" the country. As Head of State, she remains a fundamental part of Canada's system of government and our sense of identity.

Her Majesty’s role in our government is interwoven with the development of modern Canada. The Queen’s contribution and service to our country spans 59 years.

History of the monarchy in Canada
The Queen’s role
Queen of Canada
The Queen’s representatives
Royal Tours of Canada

History of the monarchy in Canada

For centuries, French and British monarchs reigned over Canada. The kings of France ruled Canada in the 16^th , 17^th and 18^th centuries, followed by the British monarchy in the 18^th and 19^th centuries.

Under its Sovereigns, Canada has evolved from a colony to an independent nation.

By the British North America Act of 1867, Canada became the first Dominion within the British Empire. This meant Canada was a country of the British Empire (now the Commonwealth) with autonomy in domestic and foreign affairs.

The Act vested executive authority in the Sovereign, to be carried out in her name by a Governor General and Privy Council, with legislative power exercised by a Parliament of two Houses, a Senate and a House of Commons.

The Statute of Westminster in 1931, an act of the British Parliament, gave Canada and other Dominions the authority to make their own laws.

Powers of the British monarch were transferred to the Governor General in 1947 with the Letters Patent Constituting the Office of Governor General. This authorized the Governor General to exercise most of the powers of the Sovereign in Canada, on the advice of the Government of Canada.

When the Queen signed the new Constitution in 1982 on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, it brought the Constitution to Canada. British and Canadian Parliaments passed parallel acts to make Canada responsible for any future amendment of the constitution, which includes the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

The Queen’s role

As a constitutional monarch, the sovereign no longer "rules" the country. Instead, she serves as Head of State of Canada and 14 other Commonwealth realms, as well as the United Kingdom. The Commonwealth is an association of 53 independent countries, almost all of which were formerly under British rule.

As Head of State, Her Majesty remains a fundamental part of Canada's system of government and our sense of identity.

The Queen acts on the advice of the Government of Canada, and she is fully briefed by means of regular communications with the government.

As the living embodiment of the Crown, Her Majesty unites all Canadians in allegiance and gives a collective sense of belonging to the country.

The Queen personifies the state and is the personal symbol of allegiance, unity and authority for all Canadians. Legislators, ministers, public servants and members of the military and police and new citizens all swear allegiance to The Queen. Elections are called and laws are promulgated in The Queen's name.

The Queen is personally involved with Canada and Canadians even though many duties have been delegated to her representative, the Governor General. For example, Her Majesty supports the work of many Canadian charities and organizations.

The Queen also has a special relationship with the Canadian Forces, acting as Colonel-in-Chief of many units.

Finally, through Royal Tours of Canada, The Queen meets as many Canadians as possible from all cultures, backgrounds and regions.

Queen of Canada

In all these duties, The Queen acts as Queen of Canada, distinctive from her role in the United Kingdom or in any of her other realms.

Queen Elizabeth II was the first of Canada’s sovereigns to be named Queen of Canada.

In 1953, a Canadian law, the Royal Style and Titles Act formally conferred upon Elizabeth II the title of Queen of Canada.

The Queen’s representatives

The Queen’s duties in Canada are carried out by The Queen’s representatives, the Governor General and the Lieutenant Governors of the provinces.

The Governor General carries out important parliamentary and ceremonial roles and responsibilities on behalf of The Queen.

These duties range from summoning, proroguing and dissolving Parliament to recognizing the achievements of outstanding Canadians with orders, decorations and medals.

The Governor General also promotes national identity and unity. The Governor General meets Canadians at annual celebrations, such as Canada Day, and national ceremonies, such as Remembrance Day.

Canada’s Governor General is His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, the 28th Governor General since Confederation in 1867.

Royal Tours of Canada

Her Majesty’s 2010 tour marked her 22nd official tour of Canada as our Queen. Since her accession to the Throne, Her Majesty has completed more Royal Tours of Canada than any other Commonwealth country.

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh, first toured Canada in the fall of 1951. Since then, Her Majesty and His Royal Highness have travelled through every province and territory in Canada.

Highlights of The Queen’s Royal Tours include:

In 2005, The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh visited Saskatchewan and Alberta to celebrate the centennial of these provinces' entry into Confederation.

In 2002, The Queen toured across Canada and made her first visit to the new territory of Nunavut to mark her Golden Jubilee.

In 1982, The Queen signed the new Constitution, which includes the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, thus returning the Constitution home to Canada.

In 1976, The Queen and members of the Royal Family watched The Princess Royal compete on the British equestrian team at the XXI Olympic Games in Montreal.

In 1967, The Queen visited EXPO ‘67 in Montreal.

In 1959, The Queen officially opened the St. Lawrence Seaway with U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

In 1957, The Queen officially opened the first session of the 23^rd Parliament, becoming the first reigning monarch to read the Speech from the Throne.

Canadian Heritage Resources

A Crown of Maples: Constitutional Monarchy in Canada

Other Resources

Queen’s Diamond Jubilee
The official website of the British Monarchy
CBC News Online: The Queen’s Golden Jubilee (English)
Radio-Canada : 2002 : une visite royale bien remplie (Archives available in French only)
Governor General of Canada
Archives of Ontario
The Canadian Encyclopedia
Welcoming the Royals: The Archival Legacy (British Columbia Archives)
2002 Royal Visit (Government of British Columbia)

Archived Web Resources

Golden Jubilee: A Canadian Celebration
2005 Royal Visit