Saturday, 24 May 2025

Throne Speech


 On May 27, King Charles will fulfill his royal duties in opening Parliament by reading “The Speech from the Throne” in the Canadian Senate chamber.

Canada's history is deeply intertwined with the reigns of an uninterrupted succession of French and British monarchs since 1534, when the King of France claimed possession of what is now Canada. Their influence has significantly shaped our country's democratic development, marking a rich and profound historical significance of the monarchy in Canada.

Queen Elizabeth II was the first of Canada's sovereigns to be proclaimed separately as Queen of Canada in 1953, when a Canadian law, the Royal Style and Titles Act, formally conferred the title of "Queen of Canada". The proclamation reaffirmed the monarch's existing role in Canada as independent of the monarch’s role in the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms. Consequently, King Charles is the distinct King of Canada.

As a constitutional monarch for Canada, His Majesty King Charles III doesn't “rule” the country in a political operational sense. However, as Canada's Head of State, he “reigns” and is fundamental to Canada's system of government and our sense of identity. The Crown has prerogative powers in reserve, both written and unwritten, to protect the realm.

As the personal embodiment of the Crown, His Majesty's role is not just ceremonial. His role is to unite Canadians, regardless of their political affiliations, and give a collective sense of belonging to our country. The King's picture is displayed in courtrooms, city council chambers, and legislatures, symbolizing a unity that transcends political divisions.

The Americans had a revolution to gain independence from Britain. The Canada's remained separate colonies until 1867, and continued and evolved as a constitutional monarchy with a British-style parliamentary system.

In his declaration to the Accession Council on September 10, 2022, His Majesty King Charles III stated:

I am deeply aware of this great inheritance and of the duties and heavy responsibilities of sovereignty which have now passed to me. In taking up these responsibilities, I shall strive to follow the inspiring example I have been set in upholding constitutional government and to seek the peace, harmony and prosperity of the peoples of the Commonwealth Realms and Territories throughout the world.

At the Coronation, King Charles prayed:

God of compassion and mercy whose Son was sent not to be served but to serve, give grace that I may find in thy service perfect freedom and in that freedom knowledge of thy truth. Grant that I may be a blessing to all thy children, of every faith and conviction, that together we may discover the ways of gentleness and be led into the paths of peace through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

New Canadians swear allegiance to The King, as well as Members of Parliament and the Legislatures, military, and police officers.

We do not swear allegiance to a document (a constitution), political entity, or flag. Instead, we swear allegiance to a person who embodies all these as well as our collective values.

The Speech from the Throne opens every new session of Parliament. The Speech introduces the government’s general administrative direction and policy goals. The Senate and the House of Commons cannot conduct public business until Canada’s Head of State or their representative reads the Speech.

Traditionally, the Governor General reads the Speech as The Crown’s representative in Canada. In 1957 and 1977, The Queen was in Canada and was invited to read the Speech herself. It is called the Speech from the Throne because usually, the Governor-General reads the Speech from the seat—or the Throne—in the Senate Chamber reserved for The Sovereign or their representative in Canada. It is the general policy declaration to be administered in the King’s name by the King’s government.

Members of the House of Commons, senators, Justices of the Supreme Court of Canada, and other guests attend the reading of the Speech in the Senate chamber, which will be televised.

On the advice of the Prime Minister, the Governor General issues a proclamation to summon Parliament. This proclamation formally announces that Parliament is to convene for a new session. The Senate and the House of Commons do not have the authority to open a session of Parliament until the Governor General issues this proclamation.

The government writes the Throne Speech. The reader can add an introduction to the Speech that briefly outlines their own recognitions and encouragements.

After the Throne Speech, the new Parliament session is officially open. Public business in both the Senate and the House of Commons can begin.

After the Throne Speech, the first order of business is for the Prime Minister to introduce Bill C-1 in the House of Commons. A senator also introduces a similar bill, Bill S-1, in the Senate. These bills claim the House of Commons' and Senate's independence from the Crown and their right to meet and debate. This process marks the beginning of the legislative session and sets the tone for the parliamentary debates and discussions that will follow.

These bills are given first reading, but not second reading. After the first reading, the House of Commons and the Senate debate the Speech from the Throne. After two days of proceedings and debate, a vote is called about “confidence” in the Throne Speech. The government must win the vote to stay in power. If the government loses the vote on the Throne Speech, the Prime Minister must ask the Governor General for dissolution of Parliament, which causes an election. 

Canada was formerly several dependent Crown colonies of the United Kingdom. There was a long path from Colony to responsible government and full independence. In 1867, Canada wrote its Constitution entitled the British North America Act and had it passed by the Westminster Parliament in London to become the first independent country to become a member of an emerging British Commonwealth of Nations.

Subsequent statutes were passed to enhance full independence. In 1982, the Canadian Constitution was patriated and made wholly Canadian by adopting a Canadian amending formula while attaching a new Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which applies to all Canadians.

First Nations peoples have some parallel independent historical relations with the British Crown from King George III's Royal Proclamation of 1763. The Royal Proclamation set the constitutional structure for negotiating treaties with the Indigenous inhabitants. It is referenced in section 25 of the Constitution Act, 1982.

Starting with the 1763 Treaty of Paris, New France, of which the colony of Canada was a part, formally became a part of the British Empire. The Royal Proclamation of 1763 enlarged the colony of Canada under the Province of Quebec, and with the Constitutional Act of 1791, became known as the Canadas.

The Monarchs of Canada are recognized as:

George III   George William Frederick 1760 – 1820 

George IV   George Augustus Frederick 1820 — 1830

William IV   William Henry 1830 — 1837

Victoria   Alexandrina Victoria  1837 — 1901

Edward VII  Albert Edward  1901— 1910

George V  George Frederick Ernest Albert 1910 — 1936

Edward VIII Edward Albert Christian George 1936 — 1936 (abdicated)

George VI  Albert Frederick Arthur George 1936 — 1952

Elizabeth II  Elizabeth Alexandra Mary 1952 — 2022

Charles III  Charles Philip Arthur George  2022 — present 

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