Places
Standing boldly along the west side of Trafalgar Square in London, the High Commission of Canada in the United Kingdom symbolizes an enduring relationship
In diplomacy, positioning and appearance matter, and the High Commission of Canada in the United Kingdom could not be more visible or more strategically located.
“Canada House,” as it is known, overlooks London landmarks such as Nelson’s Column, the National Gallery and St. Martin-in-the-Fields Church. Big Ben and the London Eye are only a short jaunt away, close to the Houses of Parliament, No.10 Downing Street and Westminster Abbey. Eight major thoroughfares intersect at our doorstep, including The Mall to Buckingham Palace, Whitehall, The Strand and Pall Mall. Several building facades in the area depict Canadian railway and financial interests prominent in London in the 19th century.
It’s no wonder that a century ago one of my predecessors, Salada Tea magnate Peter Larkin, chose this site to be Canada’s home and official headquarters in Great Britain.
Our stately Greek-revival building was originally constructed in the 1820s to house a prestigious gentlemen’s club; its patrons included King George IV, the Duke of Wellington and Charles Dickens. Expansions and enhancements over the decades have steadily added to its architectural stature, now nicely reflecting the size, strength and durability of the bilateral relationship between Canada and the U.K.
That relationship has stood the test of time, the many trials of history and the tribulations of geopolitics. As international norms and the global economy are rocked by a new administration south of our border back home, it’s timely to recall what the U.K. and Canada mean to each other. In monetary terms, our two-way investment and trade add up to something close to $500 billion. But that doesn’t begin to measure our vast array of cultural, academic, scientific, political, diplomatic and military connections, not to mention personal and family ties too numerous to count.
Our relationship is rich and deep and highly functional. It works well because it does not depend on the vagaries of politics. It is rooted in our two countries’ lengthy lived experience with one another, the respect and trust we have accumulated over so many years, and the values we have promoted and defended together in the world for a very long time.
In the early years after Confederation in 1867, Canada did not have its own network of foreign missions around the world because our “external affairs” were still guided by Britain. That began to change in 1880 with the first formal appointment of a “High Commissioner” to handle Canadian interests on the ground in the U.K. For the next three decades, working from home and from smaller offices along Victoria Street, successive High Commissioners focused on business issues (including railway financing), the encouragement of British emigration to Canada and the management of Imperial relations. Gradually the role of High Commissioner gained de facto diplomatic status, with Canada setting the template for the rest of the Commonwealth.
World War One marked a major turning point in Canada’s international stature and relationship with the U.K. The valour, determination and effectiveness of Canadians on the battlefield spoke more eloquently of our growing autonomy and nationhood than any constitution or treaty ever could. So, when King George V and Queen Mary unlocked the doors to the “new” Canada House on Trafalgar Square on June 29, 1925, the message was clear: both physically and symbolically, Canada’s place in the United Kingdom is special. Our young country was – and is – a constructive presence in the world, exuding hope and confidence and standing solidly for freedom, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.
Canada House had a staff of five back in 1925. A century later, our team now numbers more than 300. London is Canada’s oldest diplomatic mission and our second largest in the world. In terms of political relations and foreign policy; defence, security, intelligence and law enforcement; commercial operations; immigration; consular affairs; and simply Canadians visiting (for every reason from official business to tourism), Canada House is a bustling place. And our bond with the Brits remains close and strong.
As we celebrate our centennial in this remarkable edifice, we pay tribute to all the employees who have worked so proficiently and professionally to represent Canada over the past 100 years. Thank you for your service. And our gratitude as well goes to the people of the United Kingdom who are our diplomatic hosts, as well as our allies, partners, friends and family. We continue to count on each other as reliable, trusted forces for good in a troubled world.
The Honourable Ralph E. Goodale, PC, currently serves as Canada’s High Commissioner in the United Kingdom and Permanent Representative to the International Maritime Organization. Raised on a family farm in Saskatchewan, Mr. Goodale was first elected to the Parliament of Canada aged 24 as a member of the Liberal Party. He has an extensive background in business, law, agriculture, broadcasting and provincial and federal politics. He has held several federal cabinet positions, including Minister of Public Safety, Finance, Natural Resources, Agriculture, Public Works and Leader of the House of Commons between 1993 and 2015.
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