I spent the past weekend in Ottawa, Canada's capital city, for Canada Day celebrations. Canada peacefully gained independence from Britain in 1867. It is believed that Queen Victoria chose Ottawa to be the capital city because of its location along the Ontario - Quebec border and distance from the American border for defense purposes.

More photos : http://www.geocities.com/asiaglobe/gallery/ottawa-july01.htm

Spectators gathered around Parliament Hill for celebrations :

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Prime Minister Paul Martin was at the celebrations - shaking hands with spectators.

http://www.globalphotos.org/ottawa/20050701/RIMG0415.jpg

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great pic HK. How are you able to travel so much is it your job, or are you independently wealthy?

Nice pics.

One question. . how long before the roof of the parliament building turns green?

HKskyline... you say you are a student, but it appears as if you have sooo much time to travel. I envy you, you must be uber-weathy.

Good pics. Ottawa is rather underrated on the forums.

Great job HKSkyline. I've also wondered about your wealth of travels before. I really miss living in Ottawa, and think it's underrated.

I want to see the world, like hkskyline!!!!
nice work!

Canadian pride disturbes me... :jk: :cheers:

one little thing i have to point out, canada did not gain independence from britian in 1867 but it was created then. Canada gained full indepenence in 1982 with the repatriotation of the constitution

http://cbc.ca/news/features/constitution/gfx/trudeau_queen.jpg

^Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau looks on as Queen Elizabeth II signs Canada's Constitution on April 17, 1982

The signin gof the constitution gave parliament full control to pass laws without the queens having to give royal accent, only the governor general is needed is to give royal accent now i believe.

I didn't spend too much money on this trip. I lived at my friend's place and didn't eat at luxury restaurants. I'm not that wealthy! :)

^^Yes, but the GG is merely a representative to the Queen. Whenever HRH is in the country, laws are technically still hers to approve.

Nice pics...you got close enough to the PM that you could punch him out if you wanted to.

^^Yes, but the GG is merely a representative to the Queen. Whenever HRH is in the country, laws are technically still hers to approve.

the PM can change GG at his will until the give royal accent i believe the queen has no say in it anymore

beautiful pics hk. I only been to Ottawa ONCE 2 years ago after returning from another trip from algonquin. 1 night in Ottawa wasnt enough tho. I have to go back. Next time, would be nice to get some shots of the views from the city/water

the PM can change GG at his will until the give royal accent i believe the queen has no say in it anymore

The Queen most definitely does have say as she is the Sovereign of Canada(as she is separately the Queen of 15 other countries/Realms). In conventional terms she is head of state(a republican term) and Commander in Chief, while the Governor General is referred to as the de facto head of state. This is all set out in the BNA Act and Canada Act as well as the Statute of Westminster 1931(in reference to Realms).

On all matters of state to do with Canada, the monarch is advised solely by the Canadian federal and provincial prime ministers and premiers. All powers of state are constitutionally trusted in the Queen, who is represented to the Government of Canada by the Governor General of Canada.

The granting of Royal Assent is the formal method by which the Queen or the Queen's representative in Canada completes the process of the enactment of legislation by formally assenting to an Act of Parliament. While the power to withhold Royal Assent was once exercised often, it is almost never exercised under modern constitutional conventions. The power remains as one of the reserve powers of the monarch.

The Canada Act 1982 is an Act of Parliament passed by the British Parliament that severed virtually all remaining constitutional and legislative ties between the United Kingdom and Canada. Surely the 17th April 1982 is Canada's actual birthday.

Hope this helps.

^and also, the PM still needs the approval of HRH for GG appointment. Even if it's just a technicality, which most things royal in Canada are.

Nice pics...you got close enough to the PM that you could punch him out if you wanted to.
Okay, now THAT was funny ! lmao

ok thanks for setting me straigth

Nice pics...you got close enough to the PM that you could punch him out if you wanted to.

But don't forget Canadian politicians usually fight back!

http://www.superspoof.com/news/chretien.jpg