A Crown of Maples - Conclusion
As a bilingual, multicultural society in a parliamentary democracy, Canada has steadily evolved as a sovereign and confident country. Our history is as varied as it is colourful and Canadians have successfully laid the foundations for a dynamic cultural fabric within the framework of stable, democratic institutions. In this context, the Crown of Canada must be seen not only as an enduring part of our living history, but also as a fundamental and relevant political institution.
As Canada has changed, and continues to adapt to address new challenges and circumstances, so too has the Crown. In both the federal and provincial jurisdictions, the Crown and its representatives reflect the reality of contemporary Canada. The Fathers of Confederation had great foresight in their retention of constitutional monarchy -- not merely as a historical institution, but as one that provided the benefits of continuity and stability.
Queen Elizabeth II enjoys a light moment with crew of the Royal Flight (Canadian Forces Airbus) upon arrival at 12 Wing (Sidney) to begin her Golden Jubilee visit to British Columbia. Sidney, British Columbia. October 2002.
Throughout our history, the Crown has been present to ensure continuity and the preservation of our democratic principles by encouraging a common dedication to the precepts of justice and equality. It would be a serious error to misinterpret its "behind the scenes" low-key approach as reflecting a degree of irrelevance.
On the contrary, the Crown remains an important democratic institution in Canada and serves as the vigilant guardian of our system of government during times of constant change. Beyond the obvious pageantry, it functions as a safeguard for rights and freedoms that is used under special circumstances that can arise in even the most democratic of countries.
Constitutional monarchy remains a valuable asset to democracy in many nations. Although based on time-honoured traditions and customs, it has proven remarkably well-suited to a modern world that faces constant pressures on its democratic institutions.
(In this instance, the cypher is shown centred among
a garland of maple leaves).
Apart from its important functions in the operation of our system of government, the collective Crown -- the Sovereign, the Governor General and Lieutenant Governors -- means much to Canadians. It represents our democratic traditions as well as our collective sense of heritage and identity. Heritage and tradition remain vital even in our fast-paced, technologically-advanced society. No wise nation would deny their importance for they provide us with a sense of our past and a guide for our future in a complex, challenging world.
It is as Queen of Canada that I am here. Queen of Canada and of all Canadians, not just of one or two ancestral strains. I would like the Crown to be seen as a symbol of national sovereignty belonging to all. It is not only a link between Commonwealth countries, but between Canadian citizens of every national origin and ancestry.
Queen Elizabeth II
Toronto, Ontario
June 1973
Queen Elizabeth II receives flowers from a patient at Maison Michel-Sarazin. Sillery, Quebec. October 1987.
Queen Elizabeth II speaks with lnuit residents. Rankin Inlet, Northwest Territories (now Nunavut). August 1994.
The Crown of Canada is not merely a symbol or tradition. In every respect, it represents the humanity of our country and speaks eloquently of the collective spirit that makes us truly Canadian.
Governor General Ed Schreyer in conversation with Canadian hero Terry Fox during his Marathon of Hope run across Canada. Rideau Hall. Ottawa, Ontario. June 1980.
Governor General Michaëlle Jean admires a portrait of Her Majesty The Queen affixed to the ceiling of the submarine HMCS Windsor. Halifax, Nova Scotia. May 2006.
Queen Elizabeth II, accompanied by the leader of the Innu Nation, greets a young resident of North West River - a Labrador Shetshashai community. Newfoundland and Labrador. June 1997.
Queen Elizabeth II and The Duke of Edinburgh place a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the base of the National War Memorial. Ottawa, Ontario. October 2002.
And as in all our visits down the years, whether watching a chuck wagon race at the Calgary Stampede or athletic prowess at the Montréal Olympics, whether listening to an Inuit song of greeting in Nunavut or the skirl of pipes in Nova Scotia, I have always felt not only welcome but at home in Canada. Of course the relationship between Crown and Canada evolves with the times - as it should. But I for one sense the continuity; it seems to me like yesterday that small girls offered me flowers on my first visit fifty four years ago. Yet today, I suspect, it is their grandchildren who are presenting the bouquets.
Queen Elizabeth II
Edmonton, Alberta
May 2005
