Kinew attends throne speech read by King Charles

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew witnessed first-hand the pomp and ceremony of the opening of Parliament Tuesday, an occasion made historic by the presence of King Charles, who read the speech from the throne.

Canadian sovereignty, economic prosperity, military strength and Indigenous reconciliation were themes of the 27-minute speech, delivered to a gallery of politicians and dignitaries gathered in a chamber at the Senate of Canada Building.

“Every time I come to Canada, a little more of Canada seeps into my bloodstream and from there, straight to my heart,” the King said, beginning his speech shortly after 10 a.m. (Winnipeg time).

“I’ve always had the greatest admiration for Canada’s unique identity, which is recognized across the world for bravery and sacrifice in defence of national values, and for the diversity and kindness of Canadians.”

The King’s address marks the first time since 1977 that Canada’s head of state has opened Parliament. The speech included an Indigenous land acknowledgment, which has become a hallmark of Canada’s commitment to reconciliation.

Kinew was formally invited by the Usher of the Black Rod, a senior parliamentary officer who is a personal attendant to the King and Governor General when in Parliament.

Before the speech, the King spent several minutes extending personal greetings to people in the chamber, including Kinew.

The premier — smiling and dressed in a navy suit and purple tie, with an eagle feather affixed to his hair — shook the King’s hand and chatted with him briefly before the monarch moved on to greet Manitoba Lt.-Gov. Anita Neville.

Speaking by phone from Ottawa after the speech, Kinew said the pair discussed Manitoba’s battle against wildfires, building the economy and addressing climate issues through targeted investments.

“I thought it was a great day for Canada. It was a strong message saying the true north is strong and free,” Kinew said. “At a time we are thinking about Canadian sovereignty, to have the literal sovereign delivering this message, I think, is something we should take a lot of pride in.”

The King told Kinew Indigenous wisdom is critical, he said.

Reading from the speech, the King noted the Canadian government is committed to slashing provincial trade barriers and supporting projects that will connect the country.

Kinew said he planned to pitch such projects to Liberal ministers while in Ottawa, namely, a plan to create a trade corridor through northern Manitoba, connecting the province with tidewaters in Hudson Bay.

“I think the time is right,” he said.

Kinew said it was significant to have Manitoba representatives present as the King delivered the speech from the throne — a rare event for Canada.

Manitoba First Nations leaders, including Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Grand Chief Kyra Wilson, attended the speech, wearing their traditional eagle feather headdresses.

Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak, who was born and raised in Manitoba’s Pinaymootang First Nation, was seated in the gallery.

Woodhouse Nepinak greeted the King and Queen Camilla on the tarmac when they arrived at Ottawa International Airport Monday. Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami president Natan Obed and Métis National Council president Victoria Pruden were also present.

The visit was an opportunity to highlight Crown-Indigenous relationships, Woodhouse said in a news release Tuesday.

“We spoke about the importance of honouring commitments that have stood for generations. Progress is long overdue, including on housing, clean water, health care, infrastructure and full recognition of our rights,” the release said.

Woodhouse Nepinak invited the King and Queen to visit Canada’s First Nations over the next year, she said.

Daniel Guenther, co-chair of the Manitoba branch of the Monarchist League of Canada, said the speech sought to reassure Canadians and reinforce the country’s relationship with the Crown.

Guenther, who watched the speech from Winnipeg, said the monarch must remain politically neutral under constitutional convention, but he credited the King for demonstrating his support for Canada in subtle ways in the months leading up to the visit.

Those include his decision to wear Canadian military honours in public and planting a maple tree at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace earlier this year, Guenther said.

“I think everybody knows the silent diplomacy that went on,” he said. “It gives me a lot of hope that the future is looking bright.”

Réal Carrière, an assistant professor of political studies at the University of Manitoba who specializes in Indigenous relations, said the King’s trip raises questions about the role the Crown should play in Canada’s sovereignty.

“I think it’s quite interesting that we are relying on a foreign Crown to reiterate Canadian sovereignty,” he said. “This somewhat goes back to an older time, this movement, when Canada was more connected to Britain.”

Carrière acknowledged Prime Minister Mark Carney likely hoped the speech would signal unity with European nations, as Canada tries to strengthen economic relations with countries outside of the U.S.

The emphasis on reconciliation might ring flat with Indigenous Canadians, if it is not followed up with meaningful policy decisions, Carrière said.

— with files from The Canadian Press

tyler.searle@freepress.mb.ca