Canadian declaration of war on Germany

A recommendation for a Declaration of war by Canada on Nazi Germany was announced in a speech made by Canadian Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King on 3 September 1939.[1] Though Mackenzie King was in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, at the time of his speech, it was broadcast over the radio. There was also a Canadian announcement in the Canadian newspaper, the Canada Gazette.[2] The declaration of war was made on 10 September 1939, just 7 days after the United Kingdom and France declared war.

The "proclamation" of George VI "declaring that a State of War with the German Reich exists and has existed in Our Dominion of Canada as and from the tenth day of September, 1939". The Great Seal of Canada is affixed above the Attorney General's signature and the signature of the Governor-General Lord Tweedsmuir is at the top as a witness.

Background and procedure

After Germany invaded Poland on September 1, 1939, the United Kingdom and France declared war on September 3.[3][4] To assert Canada's independence from the UK, as already established by the Statute of Westminster 1931, Canada's political leaders decided to seek the approval of the federal parliament to declare war.[5][3][6][7] Parliament was not scheduled to return until October 2, but returned to session early on September 7 to consider the declaration of war.[3][4][6][7][8]

On September 9, the House of Commons and Senate approved authorization for a declaration of war. The Cabinet then drafted an Order in Council to that effect. On September 10, Vincent Massey, Canada's High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, brought the document to King George VI, at the Royal Lodge, Windsor Great Park, for his signature,[9][10] whereupon Canada had officially declared war on Germany.[3][4][6][7][8][11] In his capacity as the government's official recorder for the war effort, Leonard Brockington noted: "King George VI of England did not ask us to declare war for him—we asked King George VI of Canada to declare war for us."[12][13][14]

Documents

King's speech

Below is the speech, given by William Lyon Mackenzie King:

Recommendation of Canadian Declaration of War on Germany

For months - indeed for years - the shadow of impending conflict in Europe has been ever present. Through these troubled years no stone has been left unturned, no road unexplored in patient search for peace.

Unhappily for the world, Herr Hitler and the Nazi regime in Germany have persisted in their attempt to extend their control over other peoples and countries, and to pursue their aggressive designs in wanton disregard of all treaty obligations, and peaceful methods of adjusting international disputes. They have had to resort increasingly to agencies of deception, terrorism and violence. It is this reliance upon force, this lust for conquest, this determination to dominate throughout the world which is the real cause of the war that today threatens the freedom of mankind.

The fate of a single city, the preservation of the independence of a particular nation are the occasion, not the real cause, of the present conflict. The forces of evil have been loosed in the world in a struggle between the pagan conception of a social order which ignores the individual and is based upon the doctrine of might and a civilization based upon the Christian conception of the brotherhood of man, with its regard for the sanctity of contractual relations and the sacredness of human personality.

As President Roosevelt said on opening Congress on January 4: "There comes a time in the affairs of men when they must prepare to defend, not their homes alone, but the tenets of faiths and humanity on which their churches, their Governments, and their very civilizations are founded. The defense of religion, of democracy, and of good faith among nations is all the same fight. To save one we must make up our minds to save all."

This, I believe, is the position in which all nations that cherish free institutions, individual liberty and social justice find themselves today.

I need not review the events of the last few days. They must be present in the minds of all. Despite her unceasing efforts to preserve the peace of Europe, the United Kingdom has today, in the determination to honour her pledges and meet her treaty obligations, become involved in war.

This morning the King [King George VI], speaking to his peoples at home and across the seas, appealed to all to make their own the cause of freedom, which Britain again has taken up. Canada has already answered that call. On Friday last, the Government, speaking on behalf of the Canadian people, announced that in the event of the United Kingdom becoming engaged in war in the effort to resist aggression, they would, as soon as Parliament meets, seek its authority for effective cooperation by Canada at the side of Britain.

As you are aware, I have all along felt that the danger of war was such that Parliament should not be dissolved, but be available to consider any emergency that might arise. Parliament will meet Thursday next. Between now and then all necessary measures will be taken for the defense of Canada. Consultations with the United Kingdom will be continued. In the light of all the information at its disposal, the government will then recommend to Parliament the measures which it believes to be the most effective for cooperation and defence.

That Parliament will sanction all necessary measures, I have not the least doubt. Already I have received from the Leader of the Opposition, [Robert James Manion] and from representatives of the other parties in the House of Commons, assurances of their full appreciation of the gravity of the situation, and of their desire to see that such measures are adopted as in the present crisis will best serve the national interest.

Our first concern is with the defence of Canada. To be helpful to others, we must ourselves be strong, secure and united. In anticipation of a state of war, the Government has already availed itself of the provisions of the War Measures Act, to take essential measures for the defense of our coasts, our land and our people. As has already been announced, the militia of Canada, the naval service and the air force are already on active service.

This morning these measures were supplemented by others including the proclamation of the Defence of Canada Regulations. Measures have also been taken to prevent profiteering in the necessaries of life. Of the latter measures my colleague, the Minister of Labour, will speak to you in a moment. In what manner and to what extent Canada may most effectively be able to cooperate in the common cause is, as I have already stated, something which Parliament itself will decide. All I need to add at the moment is that Canada, as a free nation of the British Commonwealth, is bringing her cooperation voluntarily.

Our effort will be voluntary. The people of Canada will, I know, face the days of stress and strain which lie ahead with calm and resolute courage. There is no home in Canada, no family, and no individual whose fortunes and freedom are not bound up in the present struggle. I appeal to my fellow Canadians to unite in a national effort to save from destruction all that makes life itself worth living, and to preserve for future generations those liberties and institutions which others have bequeathed to us.

Canada Gazette

The following was printed in the Canadian newspaper, Canada Gazette, the morning following Canada's declaration of war against Nazi Germany.

The Canada Gazette
PROCLAMATION

TWEEDSMUIR,

[L.S.]

CANADA

GEORGE THE SIXTH, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, Ireland and the British Dominions beyond the Seas KING, Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India.[lower-alpha 1]

TO ALL WHOM these Presents shall come or whom the same may in anywise concern.

GREETING:

A PROCLAMATION

Ernest Lapointe, Attorney General, Canada WHEREAS by and with the advice of Our Privy Council for Canada We have signified Our Approval of the issue a Proclamation in the Canada Gazette declaring that a State of War with the German Reich exists and has existed in Our Dominion of Canada as and from the tenth day of September, 1939;

NOW THEREFOR We do hereby Declare and Proclaim that a State of War with the German Reich exists and has existed in Our Dominion of Canada as and from the tenth day of September, 1939.

OF ALL WHICH Our Loving Subjects and all others whom these Presents may concern are hereby required to take notice and govern themselves accordingly.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF We have these Our Letters to be made Patent and the Great Seal of Canada to be hereunto affixed. WITNESS: Our Right Trusty and Well-beloved John. Baron Tweedsmuir of Elsfield, a Member of Our Most Honourable Privy Council, Knight Grand Cross of Our Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, Knight Grand Cross of Our Royal Victorian Order, Member of Our Order of the Companions of Honour, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Our Dominion of Canada.

AT OUR GOVERNMENT HOUSE [Rideau Hall], in Our City of Ottawa, this tenth day of September, in the year of Our Lord one thousand nine hundred and thirty-nine and in the Third year of Our Reign.

By Command.

W. L. MACKENZIE KING

Prime Minister of Canada.

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References
  1. The style used here was determined by the Royal and Parliamentary Titles Act 1927. The Act struck the phrase "United Kingdom of" before "Great Britain". It also maintained "Ireland" rather than "Northern Ireland", despite Ireland having become independent in 1922. The current style of the Canadian sovereign was determined in 1953, after the accession of Elizabeth II but before her coronation.
  1. 1939 Canada at the Side of Britain. CBC. Retrieved 11 February 2016.
  2. "Proclamation". The Canada Gazette (in English and French). Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. 3 September 1939. p. 1. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
  3. Rossignol, Michel (August 1992). "Parliament, the National Defence Act, and the Decision to Participate". Public Works and Government Services Canada. Retrieved May 23, 2011.
  4. "1939: King prepares Canada for war with Germany". CBC Digital Archives. Retrieved May 23, 2011.
  5. Fortin, Steve (6 February 2008). "Is "declaration of war" an antiquated expression?". The Maple Leaf. Department of National Defence of Canada/Canadian Forces. 11 (5): 6. Archived from the original on 23 September 2012. Retrieved 23 May 2011.
  6. Granatstein, J. L. (September 9, 2009). "Going to war? 'Parliament will decide'". The Globe and Mail.
  7. "Canada and the World: A History — 1939 - 1945: The World at War". Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of Canada. Retrieved May 23, 2011.
  8. Partners for Victory: Canada and the United Kingdom in World War II (PDF). High Commission of Canada to the United Kingdom. p. 2. Retrieved May 23, 2011.
  9. Donald Creighton, The Forked Road: Canada 1939-1957, McClelland and Stewart, 1976, p.2.
  10. Brode, Patrick (1 May 2006), "War power and the Royal Prerogative", Law Times, Thomson Reuters Canada Ltd., archived from the original on 22 November 2012, retrieved 2 August 2012
  11. "Allies take Sicily". CBC Digital Archives. Retrieved May 23, 2011.
  12. Canada at War. Office of Director of Public Information of Canada (9–20): 7. 1941. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  13. Railway Carmen's Journal. Brotherhood Railway Carmen of the United States and Canada, Brotherhood Railway Carmen of America. 47-48. 1942. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  14. Debates. House of Commons of Canada. 3: 2537. 1942. Missing or empty |title= (help)
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