Photo Credit: Global News Justin Trudeau was sworn in as Canada's 23rd Prime Minister
last Wednesday. The process of being sworn in as a Prime
Minister of Canada involves three separate oaths. The first
was the Oath of Allegiance:
last Wednesday. The process of being sworn in as a Prime
Minister of Canada involves three separate oaths. The first
was the Oath of Allegiance:
I, __________, do swear (declare) that I will be faithful and bear true
allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, Queen of Canada,
Her Heirs and Successors.
So help me God.
The Oath of Allegiance is a requirement for assuming many
high offices in Canada as well as forming part of the Oath of
Citizenship sworn by those who wish to join the Canadian
family. The Oath of Allegiance is often taken along with other
specific oaths (as it is here). The second oath Justin Trudeau
took on Wednesday was the Oath of the Members of the
Privy Council:
high offices in Canada as well as forming part of the Oath of
Citizenship sworn by those who wish to join the Canadian
family. The Oath of Allegiance is often taken along with other
specific oaths (as it is here). The second oath Justin Trudeau
took on Wednesday was the Oath of the Members of the
Privy Council:
I, __________, do solemnly and sincerely swear (declare) that I shall
be a true and faithful servant to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the
Second, as a member of Her Majesty's Privy Council for Canada. I will in
all things to be treated, debated and resolved in Privy Council, faithfully,
honestly and truly declare my mind and my opinion. I shall keep secret
all matters committed and revealed to me in this capacity, or that shall
be secretly treated of in Council. Generally, in all things I shall do as a
faithful and true servant ought to do for Her Majesty.
So help me God.
Notice that while both oaths require sworn loyalty to the
sovereign the context is different. The first is a promise to be a
loyal Canadian, to do no harm to her Majesty (or her heirs),
and to present yourself as a friend to Canada. The second oath
is a promise (while also upholding loyalty) to do one's duty for
Canada. To finish everything off Justin Trudeau also took the
Oath of Office:
sovereign the context is different. The first is a promise to be a
loyal Canadian, to do no harm to her Majesty (or her heirs),
and to present yourself as a friend to Canada. The second oath
is a promise (while also upholding loyalty) to do one's duty for
Canada. To finish everything off Justin Trudeau also took the
Oath of Office:
I, _________, do solemnly and sincerely promise and swear (declare)
that I will truly and faithfully, and to the best of my skill and knowledge,
execute the powers and trusts reposed in me as ...........
So help me God.
This is the only oath that does not require swearing some sort
of loyalty to the sovereign. This makes a bit more sense when
you consider that the office of Prime Minister is still merely primus inter pares, first among equals. You can't become
Prime Minister (or cabinet minister) without first being a
member of the Privy Council. It is this large group of Her
Majesty's advisers that Justin Trudeau became 'first among'.
There has been a tendency to concentrate power into the Office of the Prime Minister over the years. This slow-motion presidentialization of the office is one thing that the new
Prime Minister has promised to fix. It remains to be seen as
to whether he will follow through and become once again
first among Her Majesty's servants or continue to think of
themselves as over mighty presidential wannabes.
Loyally Yours,
A Kisaragi Colour
of loyalty to the sovereign. This makes a bit more sense when
you consider that the office of Prime Minister is still merely primus inter pares, first among equals. You can't become
Prime Minister (or cabinet minister) without first being a
member of the Privy Council. It is this large group of Her
Majesty's advisers that Justin Trudeau became 'first among'.
There has been a tendency to concentrate power into the Office of the Prime Minister over the years. This slow-motion presidentialization of the office is one thing that the new
Prime Minister has promised to fix. It remains to be seen as
to whether he will follow through and become once again
first among Her Majesty's servants or continue to think of
themselves as over mighty presidential wannabes.
Loyally Yours,
A Kisaragi Colour
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