Queen ‘accepts Canadian curb’

Press, 18 August 1978, Page 6

Queen ‘accepts Canadian curb’

NZPA-Reuter Ottawa The Queen has consented to proposals limiting her role as Canada’s Head of State, a Canadian Minister has said. In an effort to defuse a controversy that has angered Canadian monarchists, the Federal-Provincial Relations Minister (Mr Marc Lalonde) released the contents of a letter from the Queen’s private secretary to the Prime Minister (Mr Pierre Trudeau) in which she raised no objection to proposed changes in Canada’s Constitution.

“The Prime Minister received a letter from the private secretary to the Queen, dated June 20, indicating that Her Majesty was content with the proposed change in the royal style and titles and was satisfied that the proposals would not alter the essential relationship of the Crown to Canada,” Mr Lalonde said.

Mr Trudeau has caused an uproar among Canadian traditionalists over his proposals for constitutional reform, under which the Prime Minister can also appoint the Governor-General, who is now the Queen’s representative. The plan would regard the Queen as Head of State only when visiting Canada. Mr Trudeau, who announced his plan in June, has pledged to push through the Constitutional reform this year, but has so far drawn much criticism for his effort. Mr Lalonde said the proposed changes meant no real alteration in the role of the Queen, but opponents of the plan fear it would give the Prime Minister too much power.

Mr Trudeau sent a former Justice Minister, Ron Basford, to London last June to explain his Government’s position. The letter just released was written after that i visit.