Monarchy in Canada

The Queen's Diamond Jubilee

Canada is a constitutional monarchy.

Both French and British kings and queens have reigned over Canada since 1534. Under Canada's sovereigns, the country has evolved from a French colony to an independent nation.

• Canada's Head of State
• The Crown
• The Crown's role

Canada's Head of State

In today's constitutional monarchy, Queen Elizabeth II is Queen of Canada and Canada's Head of State. She is the personal embodiment of the Crown in Canada

In Canada’s system of government, the power to govern is vested in the Crown but is entrusted to the government to use on behalf of the people. The Crown reminds the government of the day that the source of the power to govern rests elsewhere and that it is only given to them for a limited duration. As an enduring institution, the Crown serves to safeguard Canadians’ rights and freedoms.

The Crown

The Governor General and the ten Lieutenant Governors represent the Crown in Canada.

These distinguished Canadians act on The Queen's behalf.

The Governor General carries out many of the duties of Head of State on behalf of The Queen. The Governor General performs many important responsibilities, such as presiding over the swearing-in of the prime minister, the Chief Justice of Canada and cabinet ministers. The Lieutenant Governors of the provinces perform similar duties at the provincial level.

The Crown's role

The Parliament of Canada consists of the Queen, the Senate and the House of Commons. In the provinces, legislatures consist of the Lieutenant Governor and the elected assembly.

Her Majesty's representatives act on the advice of the Prime Minister or ministers responsible to the House of Commons or the provincial legislative assemblies.

Canadian Heritage Resources

2010 Royal Tour
A Crown of Maples: Constitutional Monarchy in Canada

Other Resources

CBC News Indepth: The Royal Family
Governor General of Canada
The Monarchist League of Canada
The official website of the British Monarchy

Note

Copyrights for all photos – © Minister of Canadian Heritage, 2011