My statement on the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. https://t.co/r24SWShHZE
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) September 8, 2022
For the first time in 70 years, Canada has a new head of state. King Charles III replaces his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, as the head of state in Canada and other Commonwealth nations as well as the United Kingdom.
"She was our queen for almost half of Canada's existence. And she had an obvious deep and abiding love and affection for Canadians," said Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. "She was one of my favourite people in the world and I will miss her so."
Trudeau knew the queen when he was a child through his father, then Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau. The younger Trudeau was the 12th prime minister under the reign of Queen Elizabeth II.
Inuk leader Mary Simon will be Canada's first Indigenous governor general
Canada seems like an independent country but does have this odd relationship with the United Kingdom. The head of the throne is technically the head of state for several Commonwealth countries. There is a dance of sorts where the governor general (federal) and lieutenant governors (provincial) are representatives of the British throne. They are selected with consult by the prime minister and provincial premiers.
The queen wasn't going to disallow a selection from prime minister and provincial premiers. Like we said, a dance of sorts.
Canada had British governor generals until 1952, just before Elizabeth became queen after the death of her father, King George VI, in 1952. Elizabeth reigned over 13 governor generals from Vincent Massey to Mary Simon.
Louis St. Laurent (Liberal), who was prime minister of Canada from 1948-1957, was the last Canadian prime minister to make such an announcement before Justin Trudeau.
The end of World War II brought a number of significant changes to have Canada be more autonomous from the United Kingdom. The Canadian Citizenship Act in 1947 created the designation of Canadian citizenship. Canadian passports were issued to Canadian citizens, as opposed to British subjects, the following year.
Prime Minister Louis St. Laurent advised Queen Elizabeth II days into her reign in 1952 to appoint Vincent Massey as the first Canadian-born Governor General. Every Governor General before was British; every governor general since has been Canadian.
Elizabeth made 22 visits to Canada as the queen and a single trip while as princess. CBC News anchor Adrienne Arsenault made a remark about an imaginary trip Elizabeth made. 7 of those 22 trips included Toronto.
Her first trip as queen was to open Canada's Parliament in Ottawa in 1957. She was the first sovereign to open Canada's Parliament in person. Her lone visit as Princess Elizabeth was with her new husband, Prince Philip, in 1951. Highlights included a visit to the Calgary Stampede.
Queen Elizabeth II also came to Canada in 1982 to put her signature on the Canada Act, also called the Constitution Act of 1982, making Canada wholly independent.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle living in Canada will be easier by staying fewer than 6 months
Queen Elizabeth II visited Canada more than any other country during her 70-year reign. The hope is that King Charles III will reflect on his mother's heritage in future visits.
The new king could also talk to his younger son Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle about their experiences in Canada.
This feels very #Canadian right now. #20dollarbill https://t.co/VtbJBHjFPo
— Chad Rubel (@canadian_xing) September 8, 2022
Queen Elizabeth II has been on the Canadian $20 bill since the 1954 series, shortly after becoming queen. As Princess Elizabeth, she was on the 1935 series. Her father, King George VI, was on the 1937 series.
The news was quick to point out that the current $20 bills are still good. At some point, King Charles III will be on the Canadian $20 bill. This would also be true when Prince William becomes king.
Canada has changed some other bills to reflect the modern world. The $10 bill changed from John A. MacDonald, the first prime minister to civil rights icon Viola Desmond. There is a push to replace Wilfred Laurier on the $5 bill, possibly with Terry Fox, but we have waited months for that decision to be made.
Canadians can now transact with the new $10 bill featuring Viola Desmond
Viola Desmond to be first Canadian woman on the face of Canadian money
Canada unveils new $20, $50 bills
Watching @CBCNews instead of @CTVNews for death of #QueenElizabethII. Would have been better (for so many reasons) to have @LisaLaFlamme_ in the anchor chair at this moment. #cdnjournalism
— Chad Rubel (@canadian_xing) September 8, 2022
Across all platforms, CityNews will provide in-depth coverage of events commemorating the life of #QueenElizabethII, the Queen's funeral & the transition to #KingCharleslll 🇬🇧@LisaLaFlamme_ leads this coverage from London as a special correspondent💫
— Rogers Sports & Media PR (@RogersMediaPR) September 9, 2022
🔗 https://t.co/q8HMzxucog pic.twitter.com/cPWk6qWVUt
Citytv News consists of local newscasts at 11 pm among its owned-and-operated stations. The Rogers owned network doesn't have a national news operation. Well, they now have a national correspondent, a rather well-known person: former CTV News national anchor Lisa LaFlamme.
LaFlamme will be in London throughout the coverage from Queen Elizabeth II to King Charles III.
Citytv has only a few over-the-air TV stations in Toronto, Montréal, Winnipeg, Calgary, Edmonton, and Vancouver. The network has affiliates in smaller cities such as Kamloops and Prince George (British Columbia) as well as Medicine Hat and Lloydminster (Alberta). The network is on cable in Saskatchewan (outside Lloydminster) but only 3 pm-6 am.
Even without a national news presence, Citytv can draw few eyeballs away from CTV with a huge, ongoing news story important to English Canadians.
As for Americans watching Citytv, Blaine, WA might pick up the Vancouver signal. Those in Buffalo, NY might pick up the Toronto station.
Lisa LaFlamme out as CTV National News anchor
CanadianCrossing.com Canadian politics coverage
CanadianCrossing.com Canadian society coverage
Quebec has always had an uneasy relationship with the British element of Canadian society. Conscription for the draft during World War I and World War II. New citizens having to pledge allegiance to the queen (now king).
It can be shorthand to say Canadians in reacting to the story of the death of Queen Elizabeth II. Some French Canadians might care somewhat. Some English Canadians may be displeased with the obsession over the British monarchy.
Twitter captures: @JustinTrudeau; @canadian_xing (x2); @RogersMediaPR
photo credits: CBC News (x2); me
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