Canadian honorifics

Honorifics in Canada are accorded to various office holders in government—in the federal, provincial, and municipal jurisdictions—as well as judges, members of the armed forces, and religious figures. Two styles—the Right Honourable and Honourable—are considered formal, while others, such as Your Excellency, are regarded as honorific and complimentary to the formal styles.[1] Honours stem from the Canadian Crown.

Royal and governmental honorifics

[2][1]

"Honorific Accorded to Entitlement to style
His/Her Majesty
(FR: Sa Majesté) 		Canadian king and queen, or queen consort For life (including widowhood in the case of a queen consort), but lost if the monarch abdicates
His/Her Royal Highness
(FR: Son Altesse Royale) 		Children and male-line grandchildren of the current or a former reigning monarch For life
Wives of the children and male-line grandchildren of the current or a former reigning monarch For the duration of marriage and any subsequent widowhood, but lost in cases of divorce
Husband of a queen regnant (unless he is also a monarch) As granted by the monarch, for life unless otherwise provided for
His/Her Excellency
(FR: Son Excellence) 		Governor General of Canada While in office; thereafter the Right Honourable
Consort of the governor general While spouse in office
Ambassadors Only in the country of accreditation.
The Right Honourable
(FR:Le/La très honorable) 		Governor general of Canada
Prime minister of Canada
Chief justice of Canada 		For life (since 1963 a right associated with the offices)
Other individuals as determined by the King-in-Council, or as appointed to Privy Council of the United Kingdom prior to 1963 (see list below) For life, right granted at pleasure
His/Her Honour
(FR:Son Honneur) 		Lieutenant governors While in office; thereafter The Honourable.
Consorts of lieutenant governors While spouse in office
The Honourable
(FR: L'honorable) 		Members of the King's Privy Council for Canada, consists of:
  • all ministers of the crown in the federal governments, by practice upon their appointment
  • other persons appointed by the governor general on the recommendation of the prime minister
 For life, by nature of being member of Privy Council for Canada (subject to removal from council)
Lieutenant governors
Senators 		For life, by practice
Members of the Executive Council (provincial ministers) of four provinces
  • Nova Scotia (since 2009, initially only those who ended their ministerial service after 2009. In 2010 the privilege was extended to all living former ministers who ended their service earlier. In 2014 the privilege was further granted to six living former speakers[3])[4]
  • Saskatchewan (since 2019)[5]
  • Alberta (since 2022) [6]
  • Ontario (since 2025)[7]
 For life, by nature of being honorary members of the Executive Council pursuant to specific legislations, subject to removal upon conviction of certain offences
Speaker of the House of Commons
Territorial commissioners
Federally appointed judges 		For life, by practice
(Generally granted the right to maintain the title by the governor general upon retirement)
  • Executive council members (e.g. provincial and territorial premiers and cabinet ministers)
  • Speakers of provincial legislatures
  • provincial & territorial court judges
 So styled while in office, unless otherwise authorized to maintain the style for life.
His/Her Worship
(FR: Son Honneur) 		While in office.

Right to be styled the Right Honourable

Prior to 1963, the right to be styled the Right Honourable was not automatic, but associated with the membership of the Imperial Privy Council of the United Kingdom. Three prime ministers (Alexander Mackenzie, John Abbott and Mackenzie Bowell) and three chief justices (William Buell Richards, William Johnstone Ritchie and Patrick Kerwin) were never members and thus were not entitled to be styled as such. Prime Minister Charles Tupper was appointed after he was no longer Prime Minister. Governor General Lord Byng was not a member, but was entitled to be styled as such by nature of being a viscount.

The following Canadians were entitled to be styled the Right Honourable upon being sworn of the Imperial Privy Council:

Reign of Queen Victoria (1837–1901)

Reign of King Edward VII (1901–1910)

Reign of King George V (1910–1936)

Reign of King George VI (1936–1952)

Reign of Queen Elizabeth II (1952 to until end of practice in 1963)

The following Canadians were specifically granted the right to be styled the Right Honourable since 1963 without having served as Governor General, Prime Minister of Chief Justice:

Military honorifics

Officers and non-commission members within the Canadian Armed Forces use ranks in accordance with the ranks and insignia of the Royal Canadian Navy, the Canadian Army, or the Royal Canadian Air Force, depending on which element they are a part of.[25][1] Although all of the rank structures of the separate services were abolished with the unification of all three into one Canadian Forces in 1964, distinctive uniforms, insignia, and rank names have been gradually restored since then. Former members who were honourably released after serving a minimum of 10 years may continue to use the rank title held at the time of release with the word "(Retired)" or abbreviation "(Ret'd)".[26] Similarly, members of the Supplementary Reserve sub-component of the Reserve Force may use their rank in the same manner as former members, unless on duty or engaged in military activities.[27]

Religious honorifics

Religions are free to use their own titles and honorifics, provided they do not contradict those used elsewhere in Canada. This is seen in the use of the style His Excellency by Roman Catholic archbishops and bishops, which is not recognized by Canadian civil authorities.[28]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c Heritage, Canadian (2017-10-16). "Styles of address". aem. Retrieved 2020-10-25.
  2. ^ Heritage, Canadian (2017-10-16). "Table of titles to be used in Canada". aem. Retrieved 2020-10-25.
  3. ^ https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2014/10/10/former-speakers-appointed-honorary-members-executive-council
  4. ^ Executive Council Act, RSNS 1989, c 155
  5. ^ The Provincial Emblems and Honours Act, SS 1988-89 as amended by the Provincial Emblems and Honours Amendment Act, 2019, SS 2019,
  6. ^ Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Recognition Act, SA 2022, c Q-0.7
  7. ^ "Members of the Executive Council Recognition Act, 2025, SO 2025, c 10, Sch 12". Province of Ontario eLaws. June 5, 2025. Retrieved 2025-06-06.
  8. ^ "No. 24752". The London Gazette. 15 August 1879. p. 4963.
  9. ^ "No. 25614". The London Gazette. 6 August 1886. p. 3779.
  10. ^ "No. 26579". The London Gazette. 14 December 1894. p. 7347.
  11. ^ "No. 26871". The London Gazette. 9 July 1897. p. 3767.
  12. ^ "No. 27497". The London Gazette. 21 November 1902. p. 7525.
  13. ^ "No. 27677". The London Gazette. 17 May 1907. p. 3176.
  14. ^ "No. 28092". The London Gazette. 24 December 1907. p. 8966.
  15. ^ "No. 28156". The London Gazette. 7 July 1908. p. 4920.
  16. ^ "No. 28580". The London Gazette. 13 February 1912. p. 1049.
  17. ^ "No. 29641". The London Gazette. 27 June 1916. p. 6333.
  18. ^ "No. 31123". The London Gazette. 14 January 1919. p. 712.
  19. ^ "No. 32086". The London Gazette. 15 October 1920. p. 9979.
  20. ^ "No. 32721". The London Gazette. 20 June 1922. p. 4621.
  21. ^ "No. 33018". The London Gazette. 6 February 1925. p. 843.
  22. ^ "No. 33656". The London Gazette. 28 October 1930. p. 6563.
  23. ^ "No. 35184". The London Gazette (Supplement). 6 June 1941. p. 3281.
  24. ^ "No. 37407". The London Gazette (Supplement). 28 December 1945. p. 2.
  25. ^ Defence, National (2014-08-08). "QR&O: Volume I - Chapter 3 Rank, Seniority, Command and Precedence". aem. Retrieved 2020-10-25.
  26. ^ Defence, National (2014-08-08). "QR&O: Volume I - Chapter 15 Release". aem. Retrieved 2020-10-25.
  27. ^ Defence, National (2014-08-08). "QR&O: Volume I - Chapter 15 Release". aem. Retrieved 2020-10-25.
  28. ^ "Styles of address » Religious dignitaries". Government of Canada. 16 October 2017. Retrieved 2021-02-23.
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