Canada’s new Liberal government has returned two paintings to the lobby of its Global Affairs building, in one of many moves to reverse decisions made by the previous Conservative government.
The two paintings by Alfred Pellan are called Canada West and Canada East. They were taken down four years ago and replaced with a giant portrait of Queen Elizabeth who is queen of the U.K. and also queen of Canada. The government at the time instituted several monarchist symbols including attaching the word “royal” to the names of Canada’s air force and navy.
‘Canada…a modern, independent country’
Former Liberal foreign affairs minister John Manley called this latest decision to take down the portrait of the queen and return the two Pellan paintings entirely appropriate.
“The Queen plays a constitutional role in Canada, but Canada should be recognized by all the people who come in to the department of foreign affairs or global affairs building for the modern, independent country that it is,” he told the public broadcaster, CBC.
Newly-elected Liberals were sworn in less than a week ago and are swiftly taking action, both symbolic and substantial, to put their stamp on government.
For reasons beyond our control, and for an undetermined period of time, our comment section is now closed. However, our social networks remain open to your contributions.