William Rayner - Canada on the Doorstep: 1939

German Chancellor Adolf Hitler in full voice as he delivers an impassioned speech.
Library and Archives Canada, PA-130023

In Ottawa, the special cabinet committee charged with planning the Royal Visit disposed of one more item in April. The locomotives that would pull the Royal Train were chosen, along with the engineers who would drive them. These were a couple of the final details in a planning process that had begun on October 8, 1938, when it was announced at Balmoral Castle in Scotland that Their Majesties would visit Canada in 1939. The prime minister had suggested a tour to King George personally while in London for the Coronation in 1937, believing that such a visit would do much to solidify Canadas emotional ties with the monarchy.

Prime Minister King was delighted when his office received the cable about the sovereigns decision. It is a fine answer to the jingoes, he wrote in his diary. Prime Minister King also noted that this would be the first time, in history, that Britains Sovereign has been in North America; first time a British Dominion, other than India, has been visited by a reigning Sovereign. It adds much to the history of the Liberal party and I am glad it has come as a part of my career. At first, a straightforward visit to Ottawa, the Dominions capital, was envisioned, but then King George changed his mind and decided he wanted to see more of the country. The Royal Couple would arrive on May 15 and depart on June 15.

The prime minister, as chairman of the Cabinet committee, was deeply involved throughout the entire planning process. During the latter months of 1938 and the early months of 1939, the committee tried not to be distracted by events in Europe as they wrestled with the myriad details of the trip. Officers in high places, from London to each province, were involved; the king had suggested hed like to see all the provincial capitals. This was the framework upon which the prime minister and his committee fashioned the tour, with emphasis on giving as many Canadians as possible a glimpse of Their Majesties. An equally important goal was to show the king and queen as much typical Canadian life and society as possible.

Public functions, ceremonial affairs of all kinds, and presentations were ruthlessly winnowed from the thousands of proposals that flooded the committee. There had to be a fair number of formal affairs because, after all, this was the King of Canada, and his subjects needed to display their obeisance in the proper manner. However, long military parades and cavalcades full of local dignitaries werent on the agenda. With one exception, there was no pecking order on who was to meet Their Majesties it would depend on venue and circumstances. Children, young persons, and war veterans would be accommodated as much as possible.

Special postage stamps, a silver dollar, and two medallions would be issued to commemorate the visit. Radio would play a vital role, as the CBC was making elaborate plans to broadcast almost every waking moment. One key event was to be a message from King George to the Empire, broadcast from Winnipeg on May 24.

The king and queen would step ashore at Quebec City. The next day, they would take a train to see the rest of Canada. The CPR and CNR would share the honour of providing transportation: Canadian Pacific would handle the westward journey, and Canadian National, the eastward. A Hudson-type locomotive (later to be honoured with the designation, Royal Hudson ) would pull twelve cars, finished in royal blue with gold and silver banding, on CPR tracks, with a Northern-type locomotive on the CNR tracks. On board, along with Their Majesties, would be lords and ladies in waiting, domestic servants, various functionaries and private staff, a doctor, RCMP bodyguards, and Prime Minister King, who was the official minister in attendance.

Mackenzie King had won the coveted post after insisting that no ministers in the British government accompany the Royal Couple. Lord Tweedsmuir was consultant-in-chief, but would keep to the background as much as possible. His one major suggestion, that he greet Their Majesties as they stepped ashore in Canada, was firmly rejected by Prime Minister King, who strongly felt that this function was the prime ministers job. It would be arranged for the governor general to pay his respects to his sovereign on board their vessel, leaving Prime Minister King at the bottom of the gangplank when the Royal Couple disembarked.

The 1939 budget, when presented to the House by Finance Minister Dunning, was a call to all Canadians to try a little harder. To help things along, Dunning proposed a tax credit equal to 10 percent of capital outlays to stimulate industry and promote employment. The government proposes to offer what I believe will be a powerful incentive to all industries to go forward immediately with plant expansion and modernization of machinery, Dunning said.