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<title>CANADA EXPRESSES CONCERNS ON THE GRANTING OFBRITISH HONOURS TO TWO CANADIAN CITIZENS</title>
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<p><font size="+1"></font><font size="+1"><strong>June 17, 2001 <em>(4:30 p.m. EDT)</em> No. 83</strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font size="+1"><strong>CANADA EXPRESSES CONCERNS ON THE GRANTING OF</strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font size="+1"><strong>BRITISH HONOURS TO TWO CANADIAN CITIZENS</strong></font></p>
<p>The Government of Canada has expressed its displeasure with the Government of the United Kingdom on the decision to
bestow knighthoods on two Canadian citizens without the consent of the Canadian government. This consent is required by
Canadian policy respecting the awarding of honours.</p>
<p>John Manley, Minister of Foreign Affairs, indicated that a diplomatic note expressing the Canadian government's
displeasure with the lack of consultation was delivered Saturday to British authorities, together with a letter of concern
from Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chrétien to British Prime Minister Tony Blair.</p>
<p>"The Prime Minister has spoken with Prime Minister Blair to express his personal concern that a knighthood would be
bestowed on a Canadian citizen without seeking the approval of the Canadian government," said Mr. Manley. "It has been
our long-standing position, outlined in the Nickle Resolution of 1919 and re-affirmed in 1968 and again in 1988, that in no
circumstance does Canada approve the granting of an honour to a Canadian citizen which carries with it a title or
privilege."</p>
<p>The Minister added that the Canadian government was in no way disputing the merits of the individuals recognized but was
dismayed that the British government had failed to consult with Canadian officials before approving the nominations.</p>
<p align="CENTER">- 30 -</p>
<p>A copy of the Nickle Resolution and the 1988 policy can be found attached to a statement by the Prime Minister dated
August 6, 1999, at <a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20070221041502/http://www.pm.gc.ca/">http://www.pm.gc.ca</a> under "News Releases."</p>
<p>A copy of the letter from Prime Minister Chrétien to Prime Minister Blair is attached.</p>
<p>For further information, media representatives may contact:</p>
<p>PMO Press Office</p>
<p>(613) 957-5555</p>
<p>Sanjeev Chowdhury</p>
<p>Press Secretary</p>
<p>Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs</p>
<p>(613) 995-1851</p>
<p>Media Relations Office</p>
<p>Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade</p>
<p>(613) 995-1874</p>
<p>June 16, 2001</p>
<p>Dear Mr. Blair:</p>
<p>I am writing to you to express in the strongest terms the objections of the Government of Canada and my personal
objections to the way in which your Government has dealt with the question of honours bestowed on Canadian citizens in
the Queen's Birthday Honours List.</p>
<p>I understand from our telephone conversation yesterday that you were not personally aware of our concerns regarding Mr.
Bain's prospective appointment but with the announcement today of his appointment along with that of Mr. Matthews,
about which we had not been informed, I feel I must again convey my concerns to you.</p>
<p>It is the firm and long-standing policy of the Government of Canada, dating back more than eighty years, that foreign
governments wishing to bestow an honour on Canadian citizens should seek the approval of the Government of Canada and
that in no circumstances would Canada consent to the granting of an honour which carries with it a title. The Policy, which
was last re-issued in 1988 and communicated to the Government of the United Kingdom through a formal diplomatic note
at that time, provides that governments wishing to honour Canadian citizens must first seek the approval of the Government
of Canada. The approval is regularly given in the case of non-titular honours. The Policy is, however, explicit and totally
unambiguous in stating that such approval is not granted in the case of any honours that carry a title. </p>
<p>The Right Honourable Tony Blair, M.P.</p>
<p> Prime Minister of the United Kingdom</p>
<p> 10 Downing Street</p>
<p> London</p>
<p>The Policy articulates the long-standing position followed by succeeding Canadian governments and reflects the conviction
of Canadians that granting of titles is, as my predecessor said in 1918, "not compatible with the ideals of democracy as they
have developed in Canada".</p>
<p>In conveying to you this position, I would wish to stress that I am in no way calling into question the accomplishments of
Mr. Bain or Mr. Matthews. In fact, I believe that they are distinguished Canadians. Nor am I questioning your judgement
of their contribution to the United Kingdom. What I and the Government object to is that, by conferring the knighthoods
without seeking the agreement of the Canadian Government you have not taken into account the Canadian Government
policy with regard to how Canadian citizens should be honoured. </p>
<p>We understand it is also the practice of your Government to require foreign governments to seek its approval prior to their
conferring an honour on a British citizen. We are both aware that there is in the United States a constitutional prohibition
against the acceptance by American citizens of foreign honours and titles. The United Kingdom is able to respect fully this
prohibition. I am at a loss to explain why the United Kingdom government is not able to respect the policy in this regard of
a close Commonwealth ally.</p>
<p>I regard the matter with all the more concern in that I made you aware some two years ago of the difficulties in which the
Canadian Government was placed by the intention of the Government of the United Kingdom to grant a title. The
difficulties resulted in protracted and acrimonious litigation.</p>
<p>In these circumstances, I would have expected that your Government would fully honour and respect the requirement of
Canada that its citizens not be honoured without the approval of the Government of Canada. I would appreciate your
confirmation that the Government of the United Kingdom will respect the policy of the Government of Canada as we do
yours and that we will not be faced with a repetition of this situation.</p>
<p>Yours sincerely,</p>
<p>(Original signed by Prime Minister Chrétien)</p>
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