Â鶹´«Ã½

World

    • What happens now that Queen Elizabeth II has died? Here are the changes Canadians will see

    Share

    Queen Elizabeth II has died, after 70 years as Canada’s monarch. While it's a solemn moment, preparations have been made discreetly behind the scenes for some time in Canada.

    A significant event in Canada’s history, the occasion is monumental for both this country’s leaders and Canadians as it in Commonwealth history, ushering in a new era with a King.

    The Queen's death sets off a chain of needed changes, from key oaths and titles, to Canadian stamps and currency, and prompts what’s set to be several days of mourning.

    While federal departments have kept detailed plans close to their chests, CTVNews.ca breaks down what we know so far about the next steps, and explores both the ceremonial and constitutional elements that the government is expected to set in motion.

    WHO IN CANADA WAS NOTIFIED FIRST?

    In enacting what’s called “Operation London Bridge†– detailed, but delicate plans for contacting other countries in the Commonwealth and where the Queen is head of state — it's expected that the governor general and the prime minister would have received a slightly advanced notice, or at least a heads-up that a significant announcement was imminent.

    Gov. Gen. Mary Simon, the Queen’s representative in  saying Canadians across the country will mourn her loss.

    , in the event of the death of the monarch, the governor general has to issue a formal proclamation to that effect.

    Beyond this, Rideau Hall has been tight-lipped about what the governor general will do in the days to come.

    They've also been hesitant to provide information about any other procedural elements the office would be involved with other than to say that Simon's office has been working closely with the Privy Council, the Department of Canadian Heritage, and other relevant offices to make sure all appropriate measures are in place. Expect updates on this soon.

    WILL THERE BE A MOURNING PERIOD?

    Yes. In Canada there will likely be several days of mourning. Trudeau announced on Thursday the “coming days will be a period of mourning for Canadians, as it will be for all Commonwealth citizens.â€

    The prime minister said this period will end with a national day of mourning when a commemorative service is held to mark her passing.

    Because it’s been seven decades since the last death of a monarch, some of the past rituals may be modernized for the Queen’s passing, but expect a similar chain of events similar to what happened with the 2021 death of Prince Philip, on a much grander scale.

    During this time, public events or ceremonies involving government officials may be postponed.

    All Canadian flags will be flown at half-mast on all federal buildings and establishments in Canada and abroad, including the Peace Tower, from the time of notification of death until sunset on the day of the funeral or the memorial service.

    The House of Commons has also announced plans to illuminate the Peace Tower in royal blue, and the royal cypher will be projected from sunset until midnight, throughout the mourning period.

    Expect to also see books of condolences placed in legislative buildings across the country. Rideau Hall has already installed one that will be open to the public.

    The federal government has made available an online condolence book for Canadians to sign from anywhere, and are also offering options to share condolences privately or through social media. 

    WHAT HAPPENS TO PARLIAMENT AND TOP OFFICIALS?

    Upon the death of the Queen, the federal Parliament and provincial legislative assemblies are expected to be suspended for a period of time. Because the federal Parliament is not scheduled to resume until Sept. 19 it remains to be seen what will transpire.

    The length of adjournment could vary among the legislatures, according to Â鶹´«Ã½â€™ Royal Commentator and former adviser to governors general Richard Berthelsen.

    Had MPs been in Ottawa, the prime minister would typically present a motion expressing loyalty to the new monarch that would be expected to be backed by the opposition.

    Notably, a changing head of state does not mean that Parliament would need to be dissolved or prorogued; it can continue under the current session.

    According to House of Commons Speaker Anthony Rota, members of Parliament will not need to renew their oath of allegiance. “Provisions included in the Interpretation Act ensure that allegiance is automatically extended to our new sovereign,†Rota said. 

    “The Canadian political establishment will be seized with this issue… a lot of issues will kind of go by the wayside for a bit, and there will be political discussion about the institution,†Berthelsen said.

    In terms of the Privy Council Office (PCO) — the central federal office that supports the prime minister and cabinet — there will be many moving parts as they adjust oaths and other key documentation from the Queen’s Privy Council to the King’s Privy Council, but that office has also kept tight-lipped about plans ahead of the death.

    WILL THE QUEEN'S PORTRAITS BE REMOVED?

    Yes, eventually. Because it’ll take time for new official portraits of the King to be printed and framed, Berthelsen said that it’s possible Canadian government offices and institutions that have portraits of the Queen hanging could drape them with black fabric or ribbon.

    There’s also been discussion about certain federal officials and staff being required to wear black armbands during the mourning period, but officials wouldn’t comment to CTVNews.ca about these plans and whether there are stockpiles ready to go.

    WHAT Â鶹´«Ã½ OUR MONEY AND OTHER PAPERWORK?

    Because the Queen’s name, image, and title are used on a daily basis, on everything from stamps and legal contracts to citizenship oaths and passports, governments will have to stop that “as quickly as possible,†Berthelsen said. Other places where wording changes can be expected are on the headings of government documents and the names of some military regiments.

    It could take some time for all references to the Queen be spotted and replaced, however. One element that’s expected to see a more gradual transition is Canadian currency.

    Queen Elizabeth is currently featured on the $20 bill, as well as on our coins, but to feature a new portrait of the King.

    “There is no need to replace circulation coins when Canada’s monarch changes. All coins issued by the Government of Canada maintain their legal tender status regardless of the crowning of a new monarch, so there will be no disruption to the coin supply once Queen Elizabeth is no longer sovereign,†Pascale Poulin, a public affairs co-ordinator with the Royal Canadian Mint, previously told CTVNews.ca in a statement.

    “A transition to a new obverse (heads) side of our circulation coins will take place at the direction of the Government of Canada,†she said. It remains to be seen how long it would take for a new design to be approved and come into circulation.

    Similarly, the Bank of Canada told CTVNews.ca that it has no plans at this time to re-design the $20 bill.

    “The current polymer $20 bank note will circulate for years to come, and when it is eventually redesigned, the $20 note will continue to feature the reigning monarch,†said spokesperson Alex Paterson in an email.

    WHO WILL TRAVEL FOR THE FUNERAL?

    While it’s expected that the prime minister and governor general would travel to the U.K. for the funeral, Berthelsen said representation from the Canadian Armed Forces as well as Canadians who had a personal relationship with the Queen is also expected.

    “The 15 countries that she's Queen of would definitely be represented in London at the highest level possible,†he said.

    “I think the sheer weight of the moment… What does it mean for the future? It's going to be a pretty big thing.â€

    With files from Â鶹´«Ã½â€™ Jennifer Ferreira

    CTVNews.ca Top Stories

    A team of tornado experts is heading to Fergus, Ont. after a storm ripped through the area Sunday night.

    Why brain aging can vary dramatically between people

    Researchers are uncovering deeper insights into how the human brain ages and what factors may be tied to healthier cognitive aging, including exercising, avoiding tobacco, speaking a second language or even playing a musical instrument.

    Canada

    • A team of tornado experts is heading to Fergus, Ont. after a storm ripped through the area Sunday night.

    • Two nephews of the beloved Harry R. Hamilton share stories about his life and legacy.

    • The union representing some 1,200 dockworkers at the Port of Montreal has overwhelmingly rejected a deal with their employers association.

    • A man who was critically injured in a police-involved shooting in Hamilton late Sunday afternoon has died in hospital, says the province’s police watchdog.

    World

    Politics

    • Murray Sinclair’s family members say the late justice and senator has been laid to rest according to his wishes.

    • Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced voters in Cloverdale—Langley City will pick their next member of Parliament on Dec. 16.

    Health

    Sci-Tech

    Entertainment

    Business

    Lifestyle

    Sports

    Autos

    Local Spotlight

    For the second year in a row, the ‘Gift-a-Family’ campaign is hoping to make the holidays happier for children and families in need throughout Barrie.

    Some of the most prolific photographers behind CTV Skywatch Pics of the Day use the medium for fun, therapy, and connection.

    A young family from Codroy Valley, N.L., is happy to be on land and resting with their newborn daughter, Miley, after an overwhelming, yet exciting experience at sea.

    As Connor Nijsse prepared to remove some old drywall during his garage renovation, he feared the worst.

    A group of women in Chester, N.S., has been busy on the weekends making quilts – not for themselves, but for those in need.

    A Vancouver artist whose streetside singing led to a chance encounter with one of the world's biggest musicians is encouraging aspiring performers to try their hand at busking.

    Ten-thousand hand-knit poppies were taken from the Sanctuary Arts Centre and displayed on the fence surrounding the Dartmouth Cenotaph on Monday.

    A Vancouver man is saying goodbye to his nine-to-five and embarking on a road trip from the Canadian Arctic to Antarctica.

    • LIVE

      LIVE

      Thousands of people are gathered in downtown Vancouver to observe the city’s 100th Remembrance Day ceremony.

    • A suspect was arrested for allegedly brandishing a knife outside a Vancouver elementary school on Friday – just as the young students were heading home for the day.

    • The federal government is urging both sides in the British Columbia port dispute to return to the table after mediated talks broke off on Saturday, the first of three scheduled days.

    • Several hundred people gathered outside the Ontario legislature in Toronto to honour veterans and remember those who died fighting for their country.

    • Toronto is expected to see an economic boost to the tune of nearly $300 million thanks to Taylor Swift’s upcoming Eras Tour, which will be making a stop in Canada’s largest city for a six-show run later this month.

    • A man believed to be in his 40s has been rushed to a trauma centre following a stabbing in downtown Toronto.

    • Calgarians will be observing Remembrance Day at a number of different ceremonies across the city, including at the Hangar Flight Museum.

    • July 2025 may seem like it’s in the distant future, but for the St. Luke playground committee time is ticking to fundraise the $340,000 they still need to build a new playground.

    • Getting out to the mountains is even easier with a new bus route from a growing Germany-based service.

    • Crowds gathered in Ottawa and eastern Ontario on Monday to honour the sacrifice of men and women in uniform who gave their lives in service of Canada.

    • CTVNewsOttawa.ca looks at Remembrance Day ceremonies in Ottawa.

    • After months of controversy surrounding a dog park in Ottawa's west end, a solution has been reached to divide the park in half.

    • A 36-year-old Montreal man who was out on bail after allegedly uttering death threats to a woman is now accused of murdering her on the South Shore.

    • With fewer interments and rising maintenance fees, the money for Canada's largest military cemetery will run out in three to four years.

    • Montreal Metro passengers can now flag a safety concern by texting a new phone number launched by the STM.

    • A member of Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Edmonton participated in the national Remembrance Day Ceremony in Ottawa on Monday.

    • WEATHER

      WEATHER

      This is shaping up to be one of the warmest Remembrance Days in the past decade, at least, for temperatures.

    • Thousands of Maritimers turned out in wet weather Monday to remember those who have served, and continue to serve, in Canada's armed forces for Remembrance Day.

    • A Cape Breton senior recalls her life in German-occupied France, and her mother’s death, during the Second World War.

    • Thousand of people gathered at the Menin Gate in the Ypres, Belgium for Monday’s Remembrance Day Ceremony.

    • Remembrance Day is today, and a number of ceremonies are taking place around the province to honour those who gave their lives to serve our country.

    • A pillar in Canada’s history was honoured in Winnipeg Sunday afternoon, with thousands showing up to pay tribute to the life and legacy of the late Murray Sinclair.

    • One Manitoba veteran is on a mission to commemorate and honour those who served our country, and not just on Remembrance Day.

    • There will be two ceremonies taking place in Regina for Remembrance Day, hosted by the Royal Canadian Legion.

    • Regina author Valerie Crowther is celebrating the release of her book ‘War Letters: Linking Lives in the Second World War.’

    • It was a somber day at Mosaic Stadium as members of the Saskatchewan Roughriders officially cleaned out their stalls and closed the book on the 2024 season.

    • Saskatchewan RCMP are searching for a suspect after a man was seriously injured in a farm-related incident in Montreal Lake.

    • It was a somber day at Mosaic Stadium as members of the Saskatchewan Roughriders officially cleaned out their stalls and closed the book on the 2024 season.

    • The Regina Rams claimed the Hardy Cup after a hard fought battle against the Saskatoon Huskies 19-14 on Saturday in the first all Saskatchewan U-Sports western conference final since 2002.

    • Emergency crews responded to the scene on Road 68/Highway 2 east of Thamesford around 7 p.m.

    • The events will start at 10:15 a.m. with a parade that forms up in front of the Delta London Armories, marches east on Dundas Street and turns north onto Waterloo Street to Dufferin Avenue, the west to the Cenotaph.

    • A team of tornado experts is heading to Fergus, Ont. after a storm ripped through the area Sunday night.

    • A Barrie man is at the centre of an alleged $2.2 million stolen used car scheme.

    • Environment Canada issued a weather alert for Barrie, Collingwood and surrounding areas, alerting residents about the wicked winds that are expected to pick up to 80 kilometres per hour in the afternoon hours.

    • Barrie residents gathered on Monday to honour Canada’s veterans and pay tribute to those who served and sacrificed for the country.

    • Representatives of the Windsor Veterans Memorial Services Committee, military representatives, wreath bearers, government officials, and members of the public will attend the Cenotaph at City Hall Square for the outdoor service.

    • Windsor Paralympic champion, Danielle Campo, has been crowned the number one Inspirational Speaker of the Year for 2024 at the Inspirational Speaking Finals.

    • One person has been arrested after Chatham-Kent Police Service (CKPS) received multiple complaints about an alleged drunk driver.

    • Environment Canada says heavy rain and winds could cause power outages on Vancouver Island as an "intense" storm system is set to hit the B.C. coast Sunday.

    • Six deer were struck by vehicles in six different locations in a six-hour period on B.C. highways on Saturday, according to the transportation ministry.

    • The union for locked-out port workers in British Columbia says the BC Maritime Employers Association cut off talks in less than an hour Saturday, refusing to budge on a final offer that the union has so far rejected.

    • The emergency department at South Okanagan General Hospital in Oliver, B.C., will be closed for 31 hours this weekend, the second such closure in a week and the third since the start of November.

    • Police in Kamloops, B.C., are reminding parents and guardians to check their children's Halloween candy after receiving a report of a mother finding a razor blade in one of her daughter's treats.

    • More than two years after Alannah Brown and Douglas Barker were found dead north of Penticton, police are asking for help identifying a vehicle they believe was associated with the crime.

    • The Southern Alberta Recreation Association is officially announcing the Town of Taber as next year’s host for the Southern Alberta Summer Games.

    • The Lethbridge Hurricanes broke open a close game with three goals in the first two minutes of the third period as they defeated the Warriors 7-3 in a game played Friday night in Moose Jaw.

    • There might not a lot snow just yet, but many southern Albertans are still itching to get outdoors.

    • It was just days before the COVID-19 pandemic shut the world down when the Shaft Bottom Boys of Sudbury broke a world record for 'Deepest Concert Underground.' Now, more than four years later, a Timmins band is looking to take the title.

    • Police have arrested a 15-year-old in connection with a break-in and $50,000 in damage done to the Centennial Arena in Elliot Lake in September.

    • Mayors of the five largest cities in northern Ontario met in North Bay the last two days to discuss a range of critical issues impacting their cities and the region.

    N.L.

    Shopping Trends

    The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at Â鶹´«Ã½. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.

    Stay Connected
    Follow Â鶹´«Ã½