Statement by the Prime Minister

Prime Minister Jean Chrétien issued this statement today concerning the lawsuit filed yesterday by Mr. Conrad Black:

"While I will not comment on the specific allegations in the statement of claim, I want to make it clear I was guided in this matter by longstanding Canadian policy and custom. The Nickle Resolution, passed in 1919 by the House of Commons, directed that the practice of bestowing titles of honour by foreign governments on Canadians be discontinued."

This policy was reaffirmed in 1968 by the government of Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson with the publication of "Regulations respecting the acceptance and wearing by Canadians of Commonwealth and foreign orders, decorations and medals;" and again in 1988 by the government of Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, which adopted a policy entitled, "Policy Respecting the Awarding of an Order, Decoration or Medal by a Commonwealth or Foreign Government."

Copies of the Nickle Resolution and the subsequent reaffirmations are enclosed.

PMO Press Office: (613) 957-5555

"We, Your Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the House of Commons of Canada in Parliament assembled, humbly approach Your Majesty, praying that Your Majesty may be graciously pleased: –

(a) To refrain hereafter from conferring any title of honour or titular distinction upon any of your subjects domiciled or ordinarily resident in Canada, save such appellations as are of a professional or vocational character or which appertain to an office.

(b) To provide that appropriate action be taken by legislation or otherwise to ensure the extinction of an hereditary title of honour or titular distinction, and of a dignity or title as a peer of the realm, on the death of a person domiciled or ordinarily resident in Canada at present in enjoyment of an hereditary title of honour, or titular distinction, or dignity or title as a peer of the realm, and that thereafter no such title of honour, titular distinction, or dignity or title as a peer of the realm, shall be accepted, enjoyed or used by any person or be recognized.

All of which we humbly pray Your Majesty to take into your favourable and gracious consideration."

May 22, 1919

1. The acceptance by Canadian citizens of foreign orders, decorations and medals, of whatever kind or class, is subject in each instance to prior approval by the Government of Canada and publication in the Canada Gazette.

2. Approval is NOT given to accept an order or decoration—

(a) which carries with it a title of honour or any implication of precedence or privilege; (Note: The regulations do not apply to the acceptance of academic degrees and the use of professional and academic titles conferred by institutions in other countries.)

(b) which is conferred otherwise than by the Head or Government of a Sate recognized by Canada as such;

(c) which is in recognition of services by a member of the Canadian Armed Forces or by an officer or employee of an agency of the Crown in Canada in the fulfillment of his normal duties and offered before, on or after the completion of a tour of duty in the donor country;

(d) which is in relation to events more than five years prior to the proposal for the award;

(e) which is at variance with considerations of general policy or public interest.

3. Approval is, otherwise, contemplated in the case of any Canadian citizen (including members of the Canadian Armed Forces and of the public services of Canada and the provinces of Canada) to whom an honour or decoration is offered on one of the following grounds:

(a) for an extraordinary service to mankind;

(b) for conspicuous bravery in saving or attempting to save life;

(c) for important and personal service to the reigning Sovereign or to other members of the Royal Family;

(d) for services rendered while in the salaried employment of the donor country;

or in recognition of an exceptional achievement or service.

4. Qualified approval may be given to the wearing of orders and decorations conferred on a member of the Canadian Armed Forces or an official in recognition of personal attention to a foreign Head of State on the occasion of State or other official visits.

5. Approval is generally given to accept orders and decorations conferred on Canadian citizens who have dual nationality, provided acceptable evidence is offered that the recipient is ordinarily resident in or has a closer actual connection with the donor country.

6. The acceptance and wearing of medals are subject to the foregoing regulations in the same way as orders and other State decorations.

7. Polar Medal. Any Canadian may accept the Polar Medal when conferred in recognition of services rendered as a member of a Commonwealth team in an expedition organized or sponsored by one or more Commonwealth governments.

8. Medals awarded by private societies for saving or attempting to save a life should be worn on the right breast and not on the left.

9. Applications will be considered for permission to wear foreign medals gained in war-like operations, provided such permission is consistent with general policy and public interest.

Secretary of State Department
Ottawa, 1968

1. Any Commonwealth or foreign government desiring to award an order, decoration or medal to a Canadian citizen shall obtain the prior approval of the Government of Canada.

2. Commonwealth and foreign governments desiring to award orders, decorations or medals to Canadian citizens shall submit their proposals to the Government of Canada through their diplomatic missions in Canada.

3. The Government of Canada will consider granting the approval referred to in section 1 for the awarding of an order, decoration or medal offered in recognition of:

(a) an extraordinary service to mankind;

(b) conspicuous bravery in saving or attempting to save life;

(c) an exceptional service rendered to the country desiring to make the award; or

(d) any substantial act or acts contributing to better relations between Canada and the country desiring to make the award.

4. The Government of Canada SHALL NOT grant the approval referred to in section 1 of an award:

(a) that is at variance with Canadian policy or the public interest;

(b) that carries with it an honorary title or confers any precedence or privilege;

(c) that is conferred otherwise than by a Head of State or a government recognized as such by Canada;

(d) that is conferred in recognition of services by an individual in the employ of Her Majesty in Right of Canada or of a province in the normal performance of official duties; or

(e) that is in respect of events occurring more than five years before the offer of the award.

5. The Honours Policy Committee may advise and recommend on the interpretation and application o this policy and on the disposition of cases arising therefrom.

Original signed by
Paul Tellier

January, 1988