Category: Canada Day

Canada Day 2017 and the Monarchy

7/1/2017

Its been a busy Canada Day for the
Royal Family and Her Majesty's Vice-
regal representatives.

Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall were in
Ottawa for most of the day as part of the 2017 Royal Tour. The
Prince participated in the inspection of the guard at 11:40am
and attended the Canada Day celebrations on Parliament
Hill. He also visited the Ottawa office of Shopify, a Canadian
e-commerce company. In a surprise announcement Prince
Charles was named an Extraordinary Companion of the Order
of Canada along with a group of other notable Canadians.

Governor General David Johnston presented the Order of
Canada to Prince Charles in light of his long relationship with
Canada and his many charitable endeavors to improve the
well-being of Canadians. His Excellency also released a short
video message in honour of Canada Day:

Across the pond Her Majesty the Queen sat for a new official
portrait while wearing the platinum Canadian maple-leaf
brooch she inherited from her mother. This brooch has been
worn by various members of the Royal Family while carrying
out their duties in Canada. If Her Majesty were wish to
congratulate some Canadians in person on the milestone she
doesn't have far to go. A contingent of Canadian soldiers are
serving as the Queen's Guard on select dates until July 3rd.
Canada was invited to send troops by Her Majesty as a way of
marking Canada's 150th birthday.

It is easy to forget that Canada is a young country. But when
you consider that the Queen has been alive for over half as
long as Canada has been a united entity it puts Canada's age
in perspective. We are a very young country. A very young
monarchy. The monarchy has been with us through our many
ups and downs along the way and it will be with us for
countless more. Happy Canada Day!

Loyally Yours,
A Kisaragi Colour

The Story of Canada's National Colours

7/1/2016

The ol'maple leaf

Its Canada Day and our national
flag is popping up everywheres.
But while our flag only dates
from the 1960s, the history of
our national colours of red and
white go back far longer.

During the First Crusade (yes, we are going back that far) a
Norman nobleman by the name of Bohemond I had red
crosses added to his soldiers clothing as a distinguishing
mark. Thereafter, every nation had their own cross pattern.
England used a white cross on a red field while France used a
red cross on a white field. Over time two two nations switched
their preferred crosses.

Just in time for the One Hundred Years War

Let us fast forward to the First World War. After several
pivotal battles where Canada played a key role there was a
growing feeling of Canadian unity. It was unity forged in the blood of many men. This has led to the story that red and
white were chosen as Canada's national colours to represent
the blood-stained bandages of the wounded soldiers. While a
nice story I haven't found any corroborating evidence to
support it. World War One did however raise Canada's status
and ways to acknowledge this change were pursued.

In 1921 King George V (pictured)
proclaimed the creation of a unique
coat of arms for Canada as well as
establishing red (representing the
English) and white (representing the
French) as Canada's official national
colours.

In 1965 the current flag was adopted
based on a design by George Stanley
who was inspired by the flag of the
Royal Military College of Canada.

George Stanley insisted on a design that only made use of
Canada's official colours. And that concludes the story how
Canada's national colours came to be.

Loyally Yours,
A Kisaragi Colour

Canada Day Viceregal Roundup

7/1/2015

Sweet flag. Sweet coat of arms. Awesome combo.

Happy Canada Day!

While I am enjoying a day off work and waiting for the
fireworks to start I figured I'd take a moment to look at how
Canada's viceregal representatives spend Canada Day. So
what are Her Majesty's representatives doing today to
celebrate Canada's birthday?

In Ottawa Governor General David Johnston put out a call for
Canadians to give back to their community. His Excellency
has made volunteerism a central part of his time as Governor
General so this does not come as much of a surprise.

Later His Excellency gave a speech at the Canada Day
celebration on Parliament Hill. Finally, His Excellency
announced 100 new appointments to the Order of Canada.
The full list of recipients can be found here.

The new Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba, The Honourable
Janice Filmon, attended the opening ceremonies of Canada
Day at the Lyric Theatre. Her Honour also hosted an Order of
Manitoba dinner at Government House.

The Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan, The Honourable
Vaughn Solomon Schofield, hosted a Canada Day garden
party at Government House.

None of the other Lieutenant Governors held official celebrations of Canada's birthday.

Loyally Yours,
A Kisaragi Colour

This Week in Monarchy: June 29th-July 5th

7/5/2014

June 30th

His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, was in Arnprior, Ontario on Monday to show his support for Clara Hughes’ efforts to raise awareness of mental health issues. His Excellency met with His Worship David Reid, Mayor of Arnprior before hopping on his bicycle to -race- join Olympic medallist Clara Hughes when she arrives in the city for Clara’s Big Ride for Bell Let’s Talk. Clara Hughes has visited every province and territory in Canada to help raise national awareness of mental health and end the stigma surrounding mental illness. Clara’s Big Ride began on March 14, 2014, in Toronto, and will conclude on Canada Day, in Ottawa. His Excellency presented Clara Hughes with the Meritorious Service Cross and gave a few remarks.

Later in the day His Excellency announced 86 new appointments to the Order of Canada. The Order of Canada, one of our country’s highest civilian honours, was established in 1967, during Canada’s centennial year, to recognize outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to the nation. Over the last 45 years, more than 6 000 people from all sectors of society have been invested into the Order. The full list of new appointments can be found on the Governor General's website.

The Honourable Frank Lewis, Lieutenant Governor of Prince Edward Island issued an invitation to Islanders and visitors alike to consider a visit to Government House to "capture their own piece of photographic history". During the Charlottetown Conference the delegates posed for the only known photo of the event. The steps of Government House have place markers to indicate where each of the Charlottetown Conference attendees stood or sat to help visitors recreate the historic photo. Recently Her Majesty's vice-regal representatives got together and did just that. Additional information can be found here.

His Honour the Honourable Frank F. Fagan, Lieutenant Governor of Newfoundland and Labrador and Honorary Colonel of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment, along with Her Honour Patricia Fagan will attend the First Battalion, Royal Newfoundland Regiment Mess Dinner at Pleasantville, to commemorate the anniversary of the Battle of Beaumont Hamel. The WW1 Battle of Beaumont Hamel was part of the larger Battle of the Somme in which many Newfoundlanders lost their lives.

July 1st

The Governor General started the day off by delivering a Message on the Occasion of Canada Day. The text and a link to the video can be found here.

His Excellency presented the Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award to 8 volunteers who have contributed to making local communities smarter and more caring in an outdoor ceremony on the grounds of Rideau Hall. Created in 1995, the Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award recognizes living Canadians and permanent residents who have made a significant, sustained, unpaid contribution to their community, in Canada or abroad. Often working behind the scenes, these individuals volunteer their time and efforts to help their fellow citizens. The award also brings to light the example set by volunteers, whose compassion and engagement are a part of our Canadian character. His Excellency gave a few remarks for the occasion.

Their Excellencies the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, and Mrs. Sharon Johnston attended the Canada Day Noon Show on Parliament Hill where he gave a short speech. Where does he find the time to write all of them?

His Excellency wasn't the only vice-regal representative attending Canada Day celebrations. The Honourable Philip S. Lee, Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba, Attended the 2014 Opening Ceremonies for Canada Day at Lyric Theatre, Assiniboine Park. Meanwhile a little to the west The Honourable Vaughn Solomon Schofield, Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan, hosted the Lieutenant Governor’s Garden Party at Government House. It was a more sombre affair in Newfoundland where The Honourable Frank F. Fagan attended the Memorial Day Service at the National War Memorial in St. John’s. His Honour also officiated at the Unveiling Ceremony of the new Veterans’ Memorial Monument in Outer Cove.

Back to Manitoba where The Honourable Philip S. Lee attended a Citizenship Ceremony at Lyric Theatre. Congratulations to all the new Canadians!

July 2nd

The Honourable David C. Onley, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, presided over the swearing-in ceremony of new Members of Provincial Parliament, who took the Oath of Allegiance. Astronaut Chris Hadfield performed “O Canada” at the conclusion of the ceremony.

The Honourable Philip S. Lee hosted reception in honour of the Wellness Institute at Seven Oaks General Hospital's partnership with the Chinese Hospital Association at Government House. The Wellness Institute opened in October 1996 with a mandate to provide the community with services that promote health, prevent illness and disability, and restore wellness.

July 3rd

On Thursday The Honourable David C. Onley delivered the Speech from the Throne, opening the 41st Parliament of Ontario. The text of the Throne Speech can be found here.

The Honourable Philip S. Lee attended the VIP Reception and Grand Opening Ceremonies for the Journey to Churchill at Assiniboine Park Zoo. Last week His Honour attended a donor celebration for those who made the exhibit possible.

In British Columbia The Honourable Judith Guichon, the Lieutenant Governor, hosted 'Music on the Lawn 2014'. Throughout July outdoor music shows will be performed on the east lawn of Government House. The Timebenders Experience performed this week going through 60 years of musical styles.

July 4th

The Honourable J.J. Grant, Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia, announced that three Nova Scotia wines have been selected to receive the inaugural Lieutenant Governor's Award for Excellence in Nova Scotia Wines. The award, established by His Honour, recognizes the exceptional quality of locally sourced and produced wines and honours the dedication and passion of those involved with Nova Scotia's wine industry.

July 5th

Due to tropical storm Arthur, public tours of Nova Scotia's Government House were cancelled on Saturday. Tours will resume Sunday July 6 at 10am. Hopefully the Maritimes are dry by then.

Loyally Yours,
A Kisaragi Colour

Happy Mesopelagia Day!: The History of Canada's Name & Day

7/1/2014

Postcard, 1905

Happy Canada Day! Today I thought I'd take a look back at how Canada Day evolved into the celebration we know today. Of course, to do that we need to start with the origin of Canada's name.

The term Canada is derived from the St. Lawrence Iroquoian word 'kanata' meaning village. French explorer Jacques Cartier erroneously applied it to the entire region and the Rivière de Canada (the Saint Lawrence River). Of the many, many misunderstandings that would result between Europeans and the various tribes of North American this probably counts as the most benign.

If you remember Historica Minutes on TV you had a good childhood.

Under French rule 'Canada' refered to the colony along the Saint Lawrence River. Due to being the most developed of the French colonies the terms 'New France' and 'Canada' were often used interchangeably. With the British conquest of New France in 1763 the colony was renamed 'The Province of Quebec' after the colony's largest settlement.

After the arrival of the Loyalists it became expedient to divide the colony in 1791. Since Canada was still the name of the region the two new colonies were called Upper and Lower Canada.

When Confederation was being negotiated it was proposed by a delegate from either Nova Scotia or New Brunswick that the new union be called Canada. That said here are some alternative names that were proposed (many of which prove that in every age there are people who shouldn't be allowed to name things):

Anglia, Albionoria, Borealia, Cabotia, Colonia, Efisga, Hochelaga, Laurentia, Mesopelagia, New Albion, Norland, Superior, Tuponia, Transatlantica, Ursalia, Vesperia, Victorialand

Sir Samuel Leonard Tilley

With one part of the name agreed upon the delegates tried to decide on the long-form of the name. Sir John A. Macdonald favoured calling the new entity a kingdom but British officials were wary of frightening/annoying/bugging the United States. It is a popular story that New Brunswick premier Sir Samuel Leonard Tilley came up with the alternate suggestion of 'dominion' after reading his morning devotions, Psalm 72:8, which states "He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth".

This story has been questioned as the term dominion had been applied to other entities beforehand and is not innovative. Personally I feel this is an irrelevant point; conservatism done right is about looking to the past for inspiration regarding the present.

Whatever the origin the Fathers of Confederation broadened the term from being 'a major colonial possession' to being a synonym for a sovereign state. Secretary of State for the Colonies Lord Carnarvon stated in a letter to Queen Victoria: "The North American delegates are anxious that the United Provinces should be designated as the 'Dominion of Canada.' It is a new title, but intended on their part as a tribute to the Monarchical principle which they earnestly desire to uphold."

July 1st was celebrated unofficially in 1867 with the ringing of the bells at the Cathedral Church of St. James in Toronto and "bonfires, fireworks and illuminations, excursions, military displays and musical and other entertainments". On June 20th of the following year Governor General the Viscount Monck issued a royal proclamation asking for Canadians to celebrate the anniversary of Confederation. It would not be until 1879 that the holiday became official under the name 'Dominion Day'. The celebration of Confederation ranked low in both the official and popular calendar of holidays for a number of years. It was not until 1958 that the government started being involved in the celebrations on a yearly basis. Before this the Governor General would hold a small party at Rideau Hall and milestone years would be celebrated officially but other than that it was up to local communities to host their own celebrations.

The holiday was officially renamed to 'Canada Day' in 1982 due to a somewhat embarrassing episode where there were only 12 MPs in Parliament when the voting started.

So have a happy Canada Day (or Dominion Day for the more traditionally-minded). Canada is today a spry 147 years young.

Loyally Yours,
A Kisaragi Colour

The Red Ensign

The Maple Leaf