Canadian honorifics are few in number, and many of them are maintained from before
Confederation
A confederation (also known as a confederacy or league) is a union of sovereign groups or states united for purposes of common action. Usually created by a treaty, confederations of states tend to be established for dealing with critical issu ...
and originate from the
British honours system
In the United Kingdom and the British Overseas Territories, personal bravery, achievement, or service are rewarded with honours. The honours system consists of three types of award:
*Honours are used to recognise merit in terms of achievement a ...
.
Royal and governmental honorifics
Military honorifics
Officers and non-commission members within the
Canadian Armed Forces
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The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF; french: Forces armées canadiennes, ''FAC'') are the unified military forces of Canada, including sea, land, and air elements referred to as the Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Army, and Royal Canadian Air Force.
...
use ranks in accordance with the
ranks and insignia of the
Royal Canadian Navy
The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN; french: Marine royale canadienne, ''MRC'') is the Navy, naval force of Canada. The RCN is one of three environmental commands within the Canadian Armed Forces. As of 2021, the RCN operates 12 frigates, four attack s ...
, the
Canadian Army
The Canadian Army (french: Armée canadienne) is the command responsible for the operational readiness of the conventional ground forces of the Canadian Armed Forces. It maintains regular forces units at bases across Canada, and is also respo ...
, or the
Royal Canadian Air Force
The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF; french: Aviation royale canadienne, ARC) is the air and space force of Canada. Its role is to "provide the Canadian Forces with relevant, responsive and effective airpower". The RCAF is one of three environm ...
, depending on which element they are a part of. Although all of the rank structures of the separate services were abolished with the unification of all three into one Canadian Forces in 1964, distinctive uniforms, insignia, and rank names have been gradually restored since then. Former members who were honourably released after serving a minimum of 10 years may continue to use the rank title held at the time of release with the word "(Retired)" or abbreviation "(Ret'd)". Similarly, members of the Supplementary Reserve sub-component of the Reserve Force may use their rank in the same manner as former members, unless on duty or engaged in military activities.
Religious honorifics
Religions are free to use their own titles and honorifics, provided they do not contradict those used elsewhere in Canada. This is seen in the use of the style ''His Excellency'' by Roman Catholic archbishops and bishops, which is not recognized by Canadian civil authorities.
See also
*
List of post-nominal letters in Canada
This is a list of post-nominal letters used in Canada. The order in which they follow an individual's name is:
# Distinctions conferred directly by the Crown
# University degrees
# Memberships of societies and other distinctions
Normally no mo ...
*
Title and style of the Canadian monarch
The style and title of the Canadian sovereign is the formal mode of address of the monarch of Canada. The form is based on those that were inherited from the United Kingdom and France, used in the colonies to refer to the reigning monarch in Europ ...
*
List of titles and honours of Queen Elizabeth II
A ''list'' is any set of items in a row. List or lists may also refer to:
People
* List (surname)
Organizations
* List College, an undergraduate division of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America
* SC Germania List, German rugby union ...
*
List of titles and honours of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (10 June 1921 – 9 April 2021), received numerous titles, decorations and honorary appointments, both before and during his time as Prince consort, consort to Elizabeth II, Queen Elizabeth II. Each is listed below ...
*
List of titles and honours of Charles III
King Charles III has received numerous titles, decorations, and honorary appointments both during his time as heir apparent to Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom and the other Commonwealth realms and as King of the United Kingdom. Each is ...
*
List of titles and honours of Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon
Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother received numerous decorations and honorary appointments during and after her time as consort to King George VI. Each is listed below; where two dates are shown, the first indicated the date of receiving the award ...
*
English honorifics
In the English language, an honorific is a form of address conveying esteem, courtesy or respect. These can be titles prefixing a person's name, ''e.g.'': ''Mr'', ''Mrs'', ''Miss'', ''Ms'', ''Mx,'' ''Sir'', ''Dame'', ''Dr'', ''Cllr'', ''Lady'' or ...
References
External links
Government of Canada - Styles of address
Social history of Canada
Honorifics by country
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