“As the anthem reminds us: The True North is indeed strong and free!”
With those stirring words, King Charles concluded his delivery of the government’s throne speech on Tuesday, capping his historic opening of the Canadian parliament with a round of applause from the assembled politicians and dignitaries.
Traditionally delivered by the governor general, the throne speech opens every new session of parliament. It is intended to give the public a look at the government’s agenda for the upcoming years, and how it plans to achieve these goals.
This year’s speech covered multiple objectives, ranging from safety and spending at home to global security and trade, as well as planned investments in the environment and “projects of national significance.” The speech spoke about the government’s ambitious agenda: “An opportunity for Canada to embark on the largest transformation of its economy since the Second World War.”
As Canada faces continued tariff wars, as well as sovereignty and annexation threats, courtesy of U.S. President Donald Trump, the speech served to bolster national pride and resolve. In addition to his reiteration of our national anthem, the King declared that, “A confident Canada, which has welcomed new Canadians, including from some of the most tragic global conflict zones, can seize this opportunity by recognizing that all Canadians can give themselves far more than any foreign power on any continent can ever take away.” You can read the full transcript of the King’s throne speech here.
The King’s Speech
The occasion marked only the third time in history that a monarch has delivered the speech from the throne in Canada, and Charles, 76, is only the second sovereign to give it. Both previous speeches, in 1977 and 1957 respectively, were delivered by his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.
Before today’s speech, the King used his opening remarks to reiterate a sentiment that he’s made during past visits: “Every time I come to Canada, a little more of Canada seeps into my bloodstream and straight to my heart.”
After riding through downtown Ottawa in a horse-drawn carriage, King Charles and Queen Camilla arrived at the Senate building and were greeted by a 21-gun salute and a local First Nations drum group, the Ottawa River singers. The King also inspected the guard of honour while members of the public shouted “God Save the King!”
Inside, the royal couple greeted some of those in attendance before taking their thrones. Aside from Prime Minister Mark Carney, Governor General Mary Simon, and elected MPs, other Canadian dignitaries in attendance included premiers, previous governors general, Supreme Court justices and former prime ministers Justin Trudeau (along with his mother, Margaret Trudeau), Stephen Harper, Kim Campbell and Mila Mulroney – the widow of Brian Mulroney.
Eighteen-year-old Métis fiddler Morgan Grace, from Red River, Man., also performed for the royal couple.
Charles began the proceedings by noting his and Camilla’s “deep sense of pride and pleasure” as they “witness Canadians coming together in a renewed sense of national pride, unity and hope.” He added his “greatest admiration for Canada’s unique identity, which is recognized across the world for bravery and sacrifice in defence of national values, and for the diversity and kindness of Canadians.”
“Today, Canada faces another critical moment. Democracy, pluralism, the rule of law, self-determination and freedom are values which Canadians hold dear, and ones which the government is determined to protect,” he said.
And he noted Canada’s readiness to “build a coalition of like-minded countries that share its values, that believe in international cooperation, and the free and open exchange of goods, services and ideas. In this new, fast-evolving world, Canada is ready to lead.”
The throne speech went on to outline Prime Minister Carney’s plans to spur economic growth, bolster sectors like housing and inter-provincial trade, strengthen the border and cut down on crime, help with childcare and pharmacare, cut government spending, improve global trade and security to achieve its main goal: “build the strongest economy in the G7.”
The King, an ardent environmentalist, asserted the government’s promise to invest in national parks as well as clean energy, and to continue the fight against climate change. And he spoke to the government’s plan to protect our unique cultures and languages, as well as institutions like the CBC.
The speech concluded with the nod to Canada’s national anthem. On that high note, The King exited with the Queen to walk over to the National War Memorial to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Then, along with Prime Minister Carney and Governor General Simon, the royal couple headed to the airport for one final wave to the Canadian crowds before their departure.
“A Very Successful Visit”
Following Charles and Camilla’s departure, Carney told reporters that “It was a very successful visit. A good reminder of the strength of Canadian institutions.”
Meanwhile, Gary O’Donoghue, the BBC’s Chief North America correspondent, said that having the King deliver the throne speech was “a bold move, a brave move, and an exercise in soft power.”
And Ralph Goodale, the Canadian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, tweeted that “This is the centrepiece of a strong, independent, properly functioning democracy – building for ourselves what no one else can ever take away.”
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