State funerals in Canada#Quebec
{{Short description|none}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2021}}
File:Macdonald lying in state.jpg lying in state in the Senate Chamber, 1891]]
State funerals in Canada are public events held to commemorate former governors general, prime ministers, other members of the cabinet who died in office, and, at the cabinet's discretion, other eminent Canadians. With ceremonial, military, and religious elements incorporated, state funerals are offered and executed by the governor general-in-council, who provides a dignified manner for the Canadian people to mourn a national public figure. Provincial and territorial governments may also perform state funerals for citizens in their particular jurisdictions. However, most state funerals are federal affairs.
As Canada shares the person of its monarch with the other Commonwealth realms, funerals for Canada's sovereigns, as well as for their consorts, typically take place in the monarch's oldest and most populous realm, the United Kingdom. In Canada, a commemoration service is conducted by the federal crown-in-council and sometimes by provincial crowns, as well.
Process
State funerals are not required by any law and the family of the deceased may opt not to have such an event take place. Should the family agree to a state funeral, the Department of Canadian Heritage will work in close consultation with them, as well as with other government departments and elements of the private sector, the degree of involvement depending on the size and complexity of the event. Similarly, the timeline varies on a case-by-case basis, most lasting between five and six days, during which the national flag is flown at half-mast on the Peace Tower on Parliament Hill in Ottawa and at other federal crown-owned installations across the country.
File:Johnamacdonaldfuneraltrain.jpg of John A. Macdonald, pulled by Canadian Pacific no.283, carrying his remains on 10 June 1891 from Ottawa to Kingston, Ontario]]
A formal statement issued by the governor general-in-council is typically broadcast by the media to notify the general public of an upcoming state funeral, while the Department of Canadian Heritage issues invitations according to the order of precedence, with foreign heads of state and government included.{{cite web| last=Government of Canada| authorlink=Government of Canada| url=https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/services/questions-state-funerals.html| title=Frequently Asked Questions on State Funerals in Canada| publisher=Queen's Printer for Canada| access-date=18 March 2024}}
Meanwhile, in the days leading up to the funeral, the body is transported from the place of death to Ottawa, whereupon the casket is met by a guard of honour—drawn from the Governor General's Foot Guards for a former governor general and from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police for a former prime minister, other ministers, or honoured individuals—and escorted by it to the Centre Block of the parliament buildings. There, the remains lie in state for a period of two days, with four members of the accordant guard of honour maintaining a constant vigil; for the remains of governors general, this takes place in the Senate chamber, in the Hall of Honour for those of prime ministers, and in other rooms for other individuals. On both days, designated hours are set for public viewing. The coffin is then escorted from the Centre Block to a waiting hearse as a gun salute is fired; 21 guns for a governor general, 19 guns for a prime minister, and 15 guns for others. The casket is then either transported to another location in the country for further memorials or to the place of burial.
File:Layton honour guard.jpg's casket being moved from the Centre Block of the parliament buildings after lying in state]]
State funeral memorial services are typically held in churches. The choice of host church is dependent on the religious faith of the deceased. However, since 1968, all state funerals held in Ottawa have included a service at the Anglican Church of Canada's Christ Church Cathedral; its five state funerals are the most of any venue. Three other churches have hosted two state funerals: All Saints Anglican Church, Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica, and St Andrew's Presbyterian Church, all in Ottawa. The state funeral of Jack Layton, held in 2011 at Roy Thomson Hall in Toronto, is the only Canadian state funeral to have been held outside of a church.
Similar to a state funeral is a commemoration ceremony, which is a religious and/or memorial service to mark the passing of Canada's monarch (see Monarchy of Canada#Commemorative ceremonies) or a royal consort (both of whom typically have their state funerals in the United Kingdom), an individual from a family that did not wish a state funeral, or a foreign dignitary. For instance, a commemoration ceremony was held in Ottawa in 2002 for the death of Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, the consort of King George VI. A service was held in 2013 for Nelson Mandela, the former President of South Africa. Nevertheless, these commemorations may be classified as state funerals by the Canadian government.{{cite web|title=Past state funerals and national commemorative ceremonies|url=https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/services/past-state-funerals-commemorations.html|website=Government of Canada|publisher=Government of Canada|access-date=2024-03-18}} Provinces will also conduct their own commemoration ceremonies for the passing of the country's sovereign or a royal consort.
Not all who lie in state at parliament, nor all for whom flags are flown at half-mast, receive a state funeral. The exception was made for the funeral of Retired Sergeant Ernest Smith, the last living Canadian recipient of the Victoria Cross from the Second World War.
In planning a state funeral, the government makes “every effort to accommodate the wishes of the family” and the family may decline the honour. A state funeral was offered for assassinated Quebec cabinet minister Pierre Laporte in 1970 but his widow declined.{{cite news|last=MacSween|first=Joseph|title=A grieving Quebec buries Laporte|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=_5ZlAAAAIBAJ&pg=1227,2546771&dq=pierre-laporte+state+funeral&hl=en|access-date=25 August 2011|newspaper=Vancouver Sun|date=21 October 1970}} A state funeral was also offered for Chief Justice Bora Laskin by Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau but his family declined, saying that Laskin “liked things very simple.” Instead, Laskin was honoured with a lying in state on Parliament Hill.{{cite news|title=Bora Laskin buried|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=86BVAAAAIBAJ&pg=1254,3067048&dq=bora+laskin+state+funeral&hl=en|access-date=24 August 2011|newspaper=The Leader-Post|date=29 March 1984}}
History
File:McGee Funeral.jpg in Montreal, 1868]]
The first state funeral in Canada was held for Thomas D'Arcy McGee after his assassination in April 1868.{{citation| first=Lesley| last=Ciarula| title=State funeral for Layton in Toronto on Saturday| date=23 August 2011| newspaper=Toronto Star| url=https://www.thestar.com/news/article/1043470| access-date=23 August 2011}} The first Governor General of Canada to receive a state funeral was the Lord Tweedsmuir in 1940, who died in office. Sir John A. Macdonald, Canada's first prime minister was also the first to receive a state funeral. Jack Layton was the first Leader of Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition who was not also a former prime minister to be honoured with a state funeral; after lying in state in the foyer of the House of Commons, the funeral service took place at Roy Thomson Hall in Toronto.
Every prime minister of Canada has been accorded a state funeral except for two. Following the death of Canada's second prime minister, Alexander Mackenzie, flags were flown at half-mast across the country and parliament adjourned following speeches commemorating the former prime minister but while a state funeral was suggested, it was not ordered. Mackenzie's funeral occurred at the Jarvis Street Baptist Church with representatives of the federal cabinet in attendance as well as Opposition leader Wilfrid Laurier and almost all members of the Ontario legislature.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=h-wicQs5ZB0C&q=%22alexander+mackenzie%22+%22state+funeral%22+toronto&pg=PA658 |title=Dictionary of Canadian Biography |author=Francess G. Halpenny |page=658 |year=1990 |isbn=9780802034601 |access-date=2016-01-26}}{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zTMzAQAAIAAJ&q=%22alexander+mackenzie%22+%22state+funeral%22+toronto&pg=PA639 |title=The Hon. Alexander Mackenzie: His Life and Times |author1=William Buckingham |author2=Sir George William Ross |page=639 |year=1892 |isbn=9780722225745 |access-date=2016-01-26}}{{cite book|last1=Sir George William Ross|first1=William Buckingham|title=The Hon. Alexander Mackenzie: His Life and Times|date=1892|publisher=Rose Publishing Company|page=[https://archive.org/details/cihm_03821/page/n661 641]|isbn=9780665038211 |url=https://archive.org/details/cihm_03821|quote=jarvis street baptist church, the route.}}
Former Prime Minister R. B. Bennett did not have a state funeral as he had moved to England after leaving Canadian politics. He was buried in England in St. Michael's Churchyard, Mickleham in "a simple private service".{{cite web |title=Viscount Bennett |url=https://www.albertcountymuseum.com/viscount-bennet |website=Albert County Museum and RB Bennett Centre |publisher=THE ALBERT COUNTY MUSEUM & RB BENNETT COMMEMORATIVE CENTRE |access-date=March 2, 2024}}
=Ceremonies for monarchs=
To mark the death of Queen Victoria in 1901, the federal crown-in-council arranged for gun salutes to take place on Parliament Hill, in the national capital, as well as at armouries across the country. The day of her funeral in the United Kingdom, 2 February, was declared a national day of mourning.{{citation| url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-six-royal-funerals-one-changing-canada-what-the-deaths-of-monarchs/| last=Annett| first=Evan| title=Six royal funerals, one changing Canada: What the deaths of monarchs have revealed about us| date=17 September 2022| newspaper=The Globe and Mail| accessdate=26 January 2023}} When King Edward VII died in 1910, his funeral date, 20 May, was set as a national holiday, during which military parades and tributes were held across the country.
The death of King George V was officially recognized on the day of his funeral in the UK, 28 January 1936, by a royal proclamation from Governor General the Lord Tweedsmuir, urging Canadians to attend church services and drape public buildings in black crepe. Between the King's death and his funeral, courthouses were closed. As George's successor, Edward VIII, abdicated his position as king of Canada by the end of 1936, no ceremonies marked his death in 1972. At the time, Queen Elizabeth II, received messages of condolence from Governor General, Roland Michener, and Prime Minister, Pierre Trudeau, and the federal parliament passed a motion expressing sympathy. None made mention of the Duke’s previous role as Canada's king, only his time as Prince of Wales. Prime Minister Louis St Laurent laid a wreath at the Centre Block, in Ottawa, on 15 February 1952, the day of the burial of George VI. The day was an official holiday only in some provinces, while, in others, it was left to municipalities to decide how to commemorate the King.
File:Queen Elizabeth Ottawa parade mosbo6.jpg before the national commemoration ceremony for the death of Queen Elizabeth II]]
When Queen Elizabeth II died on 8 September 2022, after a 70 year reign as Queen of Canada, the country immediately entered a period of official mourning. A federal holiday was declared for the funeral,{{Cite news| url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/queen-funeral-national-holiday-or-not-1.6580582| last=Zimonjic| first=Peter| title=Canada announces federal holiday to mark Queen's funeral on Sept 19| date=13 September 2022| publisher=CBC News| accessdate=13 September 2022}}{{Cite news| url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/what-provinces-will-have-holiday-for-queen-funeral-1.6581550| title=Do Canadians get a holiday to mourn the Queen? It depends| date=13 September 2022| publisher=CBC News| accessdate=13 September 2022}} while the provinces made a variety of arrangements for holidays.{{refn|{{Citation| url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/sep/14/canada-queen-elizabeth-federal-holiday-funeral| last=Cecco| first=Leyland| title=Canada's federal holiday to mourn the Queen leaves a patchwork of confusion| date=14 September 2022| newspaper=The Guardian| accessdate=19 September 2022}}{{Citation| url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2022/09/14/why-atlantic-canada-is-doing-what-ontario-didnt-and-marking-the-queens-funeral-with-a-holiday.html| last=McKinley| first=Steve| title=Why Atlantic Canada is doing what Ontario didn't—and marking the Queen's funeral with a holiday| date=14 September 2022| newspaper=Toronto Star| accessdate=26 January 2023}}{{Citation| url=https://globalnews.ca/news/9125835/ontario-monday-queen-holiday/| last1=Rocca| first1=Ryan| last2=D'Mello| first2=Colin| title=Ontario will not have provincial holiday Monday to mark Queen's death| date=13 September 2022| publisher=Global News| accessdate=26 January 2023}}{{Citation| url=https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/maritime-provinces-to-recognize-national-day-of-mourning-for-queen-s-funeral-on-monday-1.6066944| last=Wentzell| first=Stephen| title=Atlantic provinces to recognize national day of mourning for Queen's funeral Monday| date=15 September 2022| publisher=CTV News| accessdate=26 January 2023}}}}
A national commemoration ceremony for Elizabeth II took place at Christ Church Cathedral in Ottawa on 19 September, preceded by a parade of the Canadian Armed Forces and Royal Canadian Mounted Police through downtown Ottawa, as well as a 96-gun salute.{{Citation| url=https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/commemoration-her-majesty-the-queen/events.html| last=Government of Canada| title=Commemoration for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II| date=8 September 2022| publisher=Queen's Printer for Canada| accessdate=18 September 2022}} Commemoration services took place in several provinces on the same day: in Alberta,{{Citation| url=https://www.alberta.ca/queen-elizabeth-memorial-services.aspx| last=Government of Alberta| title=Queen Elizabeth II memorial ceremony| publisher=Queen's Printer for Alberta| accessdate=18 September 2022}} British Columbia,{{Citation| url=https://ltgov.bc.ca/blog/vice-regal/the-ceremonial-procession-and-commemorative-service-for-her-late-majesty-the-queen/| last=Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia| title=The Ceremonial Procession and Commemorative Service for Her Late Majesty the Queen| date=13 September 2022| publisher=Queen's Printer for British Columbia| accessdate=18 September 2022}} Manitoba,{{Citation| url=https://news.gov.mb.ca/news/?archive=&item=56317| title=Province Provides Details on Commemorative Events to Honour Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II| date=16 September 2022| publisher=Province of Manitoba| accessdate=18 September 2022}} New Brunswick,{{Citation| url=https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/news/news_release.2022.09.0505.html| last=Government of New Brunswick| title=Commemorative service for the late Queen Elizabeth II| date=15 September 2022| publisher=Queen's Printer for New Brunswick| accessdate=18 September 2022}} Newfoundland and Labrador,{{Citation| url=https://www.gov.nl.ca/releases/2022/exec/0915n02/| last=Government of Newfoundland and Labrador| title=Public Advisory: Details on Commemorative Service for Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II| date=15 September 2022| publisher=Queen's Printer for Newfoundland and Labrador| accessdate=18 September 2022}} Nova Scotia,{{Citation| url=https://novascotia.ca/news/release/?id=20220913001| last=Government of Nova Scotia| title=Provincial Commemorative Service for Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II| date=13 September 2022| publisher=Queen's Printer for Nova Scotia| accessdate=18 September 2022}} Prince Edward Island,{{Citation| url=https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/news/day-of-mourning-to-be-marked-as-statutory-holiday-on-prince-edward-island| last=Government of Prince Edward Island| title=Day of Mourning to be marked as Statutory Holiday on Prince Edward Island| date=13 September 2022| publisher=Queen's Printer for Prince Edward Island| accessdate=18 September 2022}} and Saskatchewan.{{Citation| url=https://www.saskatchewan.ca/government/news-and-media/2022/september/13/saskatchewan-proclaims-day-to-commemorate-queen-elizabeth-ii| last=Government of Saskatchewan| title=Saskatchewan Proclaims Day to Commemorate the Life of Queen Elizabeth the Second| date=13 September 2022| publisher=Queen's Printer for Saskatchewan| accessdate=18 September 2022}} In Ontario, a memorial service was held in Toronto on 20 September.{{Citation| url=https://news.ontario.ca/en/advisory/1002289/lieutenant-governor-dowdeswell-and-premier-ford-to-attend-memorial-service-for-queen-elizabeth-ii| last=Government of Ontario| title=Lieutenant Governor Dowdeswell and Premier Ford to attend Memorial Service for Queen Elizabeth II| date=19 September 2022| publisher=Queen's Printer for Ontario| accessdate=21 September 2022}} On the advice of his cabinet, the Lieutenant Governor of Quebec did not authorize any official service of remembrance.{{Citation| url=https://nationalpost.com/news/politics/quebec-government-will-not-commemorate-queen-elizabeth-next-week-premier-legault-says| last=Karadeglija| first=Anja| title=Quebec only province that won't commemorate Queen Elizabeth next week| date=16 September 2022| newspaper=National Post| accessdate=18 September 2022}}
List of state funerals in Canada
{{NoteFoot}}
Other funerals for prime ministers
List of national commemoration ceremonies in Canada
List of provincial state funerals in Canada
=Alberta=
=British Columbia=
| class="wikitable" style="width:100%;" | |||||
| style="width:20%;"| State position | style="width:20%;"| Name | style="width:5%;"| Date of funeral | style="width:15%;"| Place of funeral | style="width:35%;"| Building | style="width:5%;"| Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premier
|John Horgan{{NoteTag|State memorial service|name=JH}} |December 15, 2024 |
{{NoteFoot}}
=Newfoundland and Labrador=
| class="wikitable" style="width:100%;" | |||||
| style="width:20%;"| State position | style="width:20%;"| Name | style="width:5%;"| Date of funeral | style="width:15%;"| Place of funeral | style="width:35%;"| Building | style="width:5%;"| Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lieutenant governor
|2020 |
=Ontario=
File:State funeral for Lincoln Alexander.jpg for former Lieutenant Governor of Ontario Lincoln Alexander, in Toronto, 2012]]
=Quebec=
State funerals in Quebec are reserved for former premiers. "National" funerals may be held for other distinguished Quebecers. Unlike state funerals, these are only partially subsidized by the government.{{cite news| url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/rene-angelil-francine-pelletier-funeral-1.3414504| title=René Angélil's 'national' funeral 'over the top,' says Francine Pelletier| date=21 January 2016| publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation| access-date=19 July 2016}}
==National funerals==
List of provincial commemoration ceremonies in Canada
=Alberta=
| class="wikitable" style="width:100%;" | |||||
| style="width:20%;"| State position | style="width:20%;"| Name | style="width:5%;"| Date of ceremony | style="width:15%;"| Place of ceremony | style="width:35%;"| Building | style="width:5%;"| Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Queen of Canada
|19 September 2022 |Edmonton |
=British Columbia=
| class="wikitable" style="width:100%;" | |||||
| style="width:20%;"| State position | style="width:20%;"| Name | style="width:5%;"| Date of ceremony | style="width:15%;"| Place of ceremony | style="width:35%;"| Building | style="width:5%;"| Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Queen of Canada
|Elizabeth II |19 September 2022 |Victoria |
=Manitoba=
| class="wikitable" style="width:100%;" | |||||
| style="width:20%;"| State position | style="width:20%;"| Name | style="width:5%;"| Date of ceremony | style="width:15%;"| Place of ceremony | style="width:35%;"| Building | style="width:5%;"| Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Queen of Canada
|Elizabeth II |19 September 2022 |Winnipeg |
=New Brunswick=
| class="wikitable" style="width:100%;" | |||||
| style="width:20%;"| State position | style="width:20%;"| Name | style="width:5%;"| Date of ceremony | style="width:15%;"| Place of ceremony | style="width:35%;"| Building | style="width:5%;"| Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Queen of Canada
|Elizabeth II |19 September 2022 |Fredericton |
=Newfoundland and Labrador=
| class="wikitable" style="width:100%;" | |||||
| style="width:20%;"| State position | style="width:20%;"| Name | style="width:5%;"| Date of ceremony | style="width:15%;"| Place of ceremony | style="width:35%;"| Building | style="width:5%;"| Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Queen of Canada
|Elizabeth II |19 September 2022 |St John's |
=Nova Scotia=
| class="wikitable" style="width:100%;" | |||||
| style="width:20%;"| State position | style="width:20%;"| Name | style="width:5%;"| Date of ceremony | style="width:15%;"| Place of ceremony | style="width:35%;"| Building | style="width:5%;"| Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royal consort
|Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh |17 April 2021 | rowspan="2" |Halifax | rowspan="2" |All Saints Cathedral | |||||
| Queen of Canada
|Elizabeth II |19 September 2022 |
=Ontario=
| class="wikitable" style="width:100%;" | |||||
| style="width:20%;"| State position | style="width:20%;"| Name | style="width:5%;"| Date of ceremony | style="width:15%;"| Place of ceremony | style="width:35%;"| Building | style="width:5%;"| Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royal consort
|Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh |17 April 2021 | rowspan="2" |Toronto | rowspan="2" |Cathedral Church of St James | |||||
| Queen of Canada
|Elizabeth II |20 September 2022 |
=Prince Edward Island=
| class="wikitable" style="width:100%;" | |||||
| style="width:20%;"| State position | style="width:20%;"| Name | style="width:5%;"| Date of ceremony | style="width:15%;"| Place of ceremony | style="width:35%;"| Building | style="width:5%;"| Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Queen of Canada
|Elizabeth II |19 September 2022 |Charlottetown |
=Saskatchewan=
| class="wikitable" style="width:100%;" | |||||
| style="width:20%;"| State position | style="width:20%;"| Name | style="width:5%;"| Date of ceremony | style="width:15%;"| Place of ceremony | style="width:35%;"| Building | style="width:5%;"| Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| rowspan=4|Queen consort
|rowspan=4|Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother |rowspan=4|9 April 2002 | |||||
| Prince Albert
| | |||||
| Regina | |||||
| Saskatoon
| | |||||
| Queen of Canada
|Elizabeth II |19 September 2022 |Regina |St Paul's Cathedral |
See also
References
{{Reflist}}