What Does Queen Elizabeth’s Death Mean for Canada? (Published 2022) (2024)

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The accession of King Charles III may inspire more discussion about the relevance of the monarchy in Canada, but materially, experts say it’s business as usual.

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What Does Queen Elizabeth’s Death Mean for Canada? (Published 2022) (1)

Queen Elizabeth II’s death triggered a cascade of official protocols in Canada, shifting the constitutional monarchy to a new sovereign: King Charles III.

There have been a few hiccups and moments of confusion. Some new Canadians stumbled over which monarch to name when swearing their oaths of allegiance at the first citizenship ceremonies after the queen’s death. And in its haste to switch the lyrics of Canada’s royal anthem — now “God Save the King,” formerly “God Save the Queen” — the federal heritage department missed a few female pronouns in the last verse. (It has since been corrected.)

The king’s accession to the throne was proclaimed in Canada during a ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa on Sept. 10. Protocol will dictate the activities to come, such as taking down Queen Elizabeth’s portrait in government buildings and adding King Charles’s image to Canadian money and documents.

Ahead of the queen’s funeral on Monday, here are some answers about what comes next for Canada.

What does Queen Elizabeth’s death mean for Canada?

Queen Elizabeth’s death may inspire more discussion about the relevance of the crown in Canada, but materially, it’s business as usual.

“The system didn’t change; regardless of the people — the celebrities — at the top, the basic system is still there, and it’s the same as it was last week,” said Jonathan Malloy, a political science professor at Carleton University in Ottawa.

While countries like Barbados cast off the queen as head of state, and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern of New Zealand recently reaffirmed her support for her country to eventually become a republic, that conversation is not as far along in Canada.

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What Does Queen Elizabeth’s Death Mean for Canada? (Published 2022) (2024)

FAQs

What Does Queen Elizabeth’s Death Mean for Canada? (Published 2022)? ›

The death of Queen Elizabeth means that Prince Charles automatically becomes King of Canada. That is officially announced through an accession proclamation issued by the Governor General on the advice of the federal Privy Council Office, according to Canada's Deep Crown, co-authored by David E.

What does Queen Elizabeth's death mean for Canada? ›

With the death of the Queen, what's the status of the monarchy in Canada? The death of Queen Elizabeth means that Prince Charles automatically becomes King of Canada.

What impact did Queen Elizabeth's death have on the world? ›

With the transfer of power, U.K. institutions underwent a rebrand, swapping in Charles' face and title across its institutions, products, and currency (which will be in circulation next year). The Queen's death also renewed discussions about the future of the monarchy at home and in the Commonwealth nations.

Do we get a day off if the Queen dies in Canada? ›

The federal government has announced that Sept. 19, the date of Queen Elizabeth's funeral, will be a holiday for federal government employees. It's up to the provinces to decide whether anyone else gets the day off.

What does Queen Elizabeth have to do with Canada? ›

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was the first of Canada's sovereigns to be proclaimed separately as "Queen of Canada." It reaffirmed the Monarch's role as independent of that as Monarch of the United Kingdom and the other Commonwealth realms.

Is there mourning for Queen in Canada? ›

Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada, died at 96 on Sept. 8, 2022. The period of mourning is from the day of the Queen's death until sunset on Sept. 19, 2022, which is the day of the Queen's funeral.

What has to change when the Queen dies? ›

The Queen's portrait will be replaced on British money.

British coins and banknotes, which have the Queen's portrait on them, will be replaced with a portrait of the new monarch, King Charles.

Did the Queen know she was dying? ›

While the contents of the letters may never be disclosed, it's clear that the Queen knew her death was near and planned accordingly. The Queen also left behind her list of candidates to join the order of Merit — her final royal duty.

What was the Queen suffering from when she died? ›

A new biography of Queen Elizabeth II states she had multiple myeloma before she died.

Will Canada have a day of mourning? ›

On April 28, workplaces will come together to commemorate the National Day of Mourning, a day dedicated to honoring workers who have lost their lives, have been injured, or suffered an illness due to their work. Every year, thousands of workers in Canada are injured or killed on the job.

Does everyone get a day off if the Queen dies? ›

Day of mourning

It is understood the prime minister and the Queen have agreed that the day of the state funeral will be a “Day of National Mourning.” Employers will not be ordered to give staff a day off, however most businesses are expected to close.

Do we get a day off for Queen's funeral? ›

However, a special bank holiday has been confirmed on the day of the state funeral, Monday, 19 September 2022.

Why is Canada still under the monarchy? ›

Put another way, the Crown functions as the guarantor of Canada's continuous and stable governance and as a nonpartisan safeguard against the abuse of power. Canada has been described as "one of the oldest continuing monarchies in the world" of today.

Does King Charles have power over Canada? ›

The proclamation reaffirmed the monarch's role in Canada as independent of the monarch's role in the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms. As a constitutional monarch, His Majesty King Charles III doesn't "rule" the country.

Can Canada abolish the monarchy? ›

The existence of the royal bond is enshrined in the Constitution, so that must be changed. To do this, a constitutional amendment must be approved in each of the 10 provinces and by both the House of Commons and the Senate.

Why is Queen Elizabeth on the Canadian? ›

Having spent 70 years on the throne, she is Canada's longest-reigning monarch. While there is no legislation requiring Canada to feature the reigning monarch on its currency, doing so is a long-standing tradition. But as of now, a timeline for replacing images of the Queen on coins and bills remains unclear.

Who did Canada send to the Queen's funeral? ›

Along with Gov. Gen. Mary Simon and the prime minister, Canada's High Commissioner to the U.K. Ralph Goodale will be one of the "official mourners" from Canada. According to the Prime Minister's Office,(opens in a new tab) Trudeau will be accompanied by his spouse, Sophie Grégoire Trudeau.

Will there be a day of mourning for the Queen? ›

Following the death of the Queen, a period of national mourning was announced and it will continue until the end of the day of the state funeral, Monday 19 September 2022. There is no obligation on organisations to suspend business during the mourning period.

What is the period of mourning for the Queen? ›

Mourning and Condolence arrangements at the Royal Residences. Following the death of Her Majesty The Queen, it is His Majesty The King's wish that a period of Royal Mourning be observed from now until seven days after The Queen's Funeral.

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