Statue of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom.
Statue Location: Queen’s Park, Legislative Assembly of Ontario.
Historical Context
Queen Victoria (24 May 1819 – 22 January 1901) was the mother of King Edward VII.
King Edward VII was the father of King George V.
King George V was the father of King Edward VIII and King George VI.
King George VI was the father of Queen Elizabeth II.
Queen Elizabeth II was the mother of King Charles.
King Charles is the reigning King of the United Kingdom.
Prince William is the eldest son of King Charles.
In Canada, the Monday preceding May 25 is a national holiday to commemorate the birthday of Queen Victoria. Queen Victoria was the reigning monarch when the Dominion of Canada was confederated in 1867. The British North America Act(s) (1867-1975), United Kingdom, was enacted in the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Specifically, the British North America Act 1867, UK, received Royal Asset on 29 March 1867 and went into effect on 1 July 1867. In a legal process referred to as patriation, the Canada Act of 1982 [UK] (with the Constitution Act 1982 [UK] added as “Schedule B”) was an enactment of Parliament of the United Kingdom that transferred legislative authority from the United Kingdom to Canada which formed the legal basis of Canadian sovereignty (including the power for Canada to amend its own constitution). The Charter of Rights and Freedoms is also contained within the Constitution Act 1982 [UK]. The Canada Act 1982 [UK] was approved by the Parliament of the United Kingdom on March 25, 1982. The Constitution Act, 1982, was proclaimed into force by Queen Elizabeth II on April 17, 1982, on Parliament Hill in Ottawa. The Canadian parliamentary system of government originates from the conventions established by the Westminster system of the United Kingdom. So too is the legal system, which in Canada, is predominantly based on the common law legal system originating from the United Kingdom (except for the civil law legal system in Quebec). Queen’s Park is the site of the Provincial Legislature, where a Lieutenant Governor (one for each province) remains as part of the tradition of the constitutional monarchy. Ottawa is the site of the Canadian Parliament of the federal government, which also sits a Governor General. In Canada, the Oath of Citizenship includes an oath of allegiance to the reigning monarch of the United Kingdom. The origins of Canada Day trace back to the British North America Act of July 1, 1867 (as mentioned above). The Governor at that time, General Lord Monck, signed a proclamation on 20 June 1868 requesting that “Dominion Day” be celebrated on July 1, which as of 27 October 1982 became what is now known as “Canada Day”. To this day, Canada continues as a member state of the Commonwealth of Nations.
Geography
Toronto is the capital of the Province of Ontario. Ottawa is the capital of Canada. For this reason, provincial law is legislated from Queen’s Park in Toronto whilst federal law is legislated from Parliament Hill in Ottawa. The local laws of Toronto are legislated by the municipal government at Toronto (New) City Hall. A number of federal, provincial and municipal agencies of the Crown (government) operate in Toronto. There are also courts (federal and provincial) and tribunals located in downtown Toronto.
Tourist Information
Nearest Subway Station: Queen’s Park Subway Station
Near to: University of Toronto (St.George Campus), The Royal Ontario Museum, Yorkville Shopping District (Bloor St. East and Avenue Road)
Notes: Also near to the statue of King Edward VII
GPS Location (Using Google Maps on a smartphone): 43.661729, -79.391188
110 Wellesley St. W,
Toronto, ON.
M7A1A2
