Declaration of war by Canada

A declaration of war by Canada is a formal declaration issued by the Government of Canada indicating that a state of war exists between Canada and another nation. Since gaining the authority to declare war under the Statute of Westminster 1931, Canada has declared war only during the Second World War.^[1][2]

Nazi Germany

After Nazi Germany invaded Poland on September 1, 1939, the United Kingdom declared war on September 3.^[2][3] To assert Canada's independence from the U.K., Canada's political leaders decided to seek the approval of the Canadian Parliament to declare war.^[1][2][4][5] Parliament was not scheduled to return until October 2 but returned to session early on September 7 to consider a declaration of war.^{[2][3][4][5][6]}

The Senate approved a declaration of war on September 8, and the House of Commons approved it on September 9. On September 10, Prime Minister Mackenzie King and the Cabinet drafted an Order in Council to that effect, King George VI granted the royal assent, and Canada had officially declared war on Nazi Germany.^{[2][3][4][5][6][7]}

In his capacity as the government's Official Recorder for the War Effort, Leonard Brockington noted, "King George VI of England did not ask us to declare war for him—we asked King George VI of Canada to declare war for us."^[8][9][10]

Fascist Italy

On June 10, 1940, Italy declared war on France and the United Kingdom.^[2][3][7] National Defence Minister Norman Rogers had been killed in a plane crash that day.^[7] Both houses of Parliament approved a declaration of war, and the Cabinet issued the Order in Council the same day.^[2][3][7]

Finland, Hungary, Romania, and Imperial Japan

Parliament adjourned on November 14, 1941, and was not scheduled to return until January 21, 1942.^[2]

At the urging of the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom declared war on Finland on December 6, 1941.^[11] At the U.K.'s urging, the Canadian Cabinet issued a proclamation declaring war on Finland,^[11] Hungary, and Romania the next day.^[2]

That same day, the Empire of Japan attacked the United States at Pearl Harbor and declared war upon the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada.^[3] Prime Minister King and the Cabinet decided to go to war with Imperial Japan that evening and issued a proclamation declaring war the following day.^[2][3][12] That same day, the U.S. and U.K. also declared war on the Japanese Empire.^[3]

When Parliament returned on January 21, 1942, King presented the Cabinet's proclamations of December 7, 1941, declaring war on Finland, Hungary, and Romania, and the Cabinet's proclamation of December 8, 1941, declaring war on Imperial Japan.^[2]

See also

• Military history of Canada
• List of conflicts in Canada
• Military history of Canada during World War II
• Declaration of war by the United Kingdom
• Declaration of war by the United States

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Fortin, Steve (6 February 2008). "Is "declaration of war" an antiquated expression?". The Maple Leaf (Department of National Defence of Canada/Canadian Forces) 11 (5): 6. http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/commun/ml-fe/article-eng.asp?id=4106. 
2. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h i j k} Rossignol, Michel (August 1992). "Parliament, the National Defence Act, and the Decision to Participate". Public Works and Government Services Canada. http://dsp-psd.pwgsc.gc.ca/Collection-R/LoPBdP/BP/bp303-e.htm. Retrieved May 23, 2011. 
3. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h} "1939: King prepares Canada for war with Germany". CBC Digital Archives. http://archives.cbc.ca/version_print.asp?page=1&IDLan=1&IDClip=12259&IDDossier=3644&IDCat=328&IDCatPa=260. Retrieved May 23, 2011. 
4. ^ ^{a b c} Granatstein, J. L. (September 9, 2009). "Going to war? 'Parliament will decide'". The Globe and Mail. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/going-to-war-parliament-will-decide/article1281065/. 
5. ^ ^{a b c} "Canada and the World: A History — 1939 - 1945: The World at War". Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of Canada. http://www.international.gc.ca/history-histoire/world-monde/1939-1945.aspx?lang=eng#united. Retrieved May 23, 2011. 
6. ^ ^{a b} Partners for Victory: Canada and the United Kingdom in World War II. High Commission of Canada to the United Kingdom. p. 2. http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/united_kingdom-royaume_uni/assets/pdfs/canukww2web.pdf. Retrieved May 23, 2011. 
7. ^ ^{a b c d} "Allies take Sicily". CBC Digital Archives. http://archives.cbc.ca/version_print.asp?page=1&IDLan=1&IDClip=9834&IDDossier=0&IDCat=394&IDCatPa=264. Retrieved May 23, 2011. 
8. ^ Canada at War (Office of Director of Public Information of Canada) (9-20): 7. 1941. 
9. ^ Railway carmen's journal (Brotherhood Railway Carmen of the United States and Canada, Brotherhood Railway Carmen of America) 47-48. 1942. 
10. ^ Debates (House of Commons of Canada) 3: 2537. 1942. 
11. ^ ^{a b} Lindström, Varpu. "History of Finland-Canada Relations". Embassy of Finland, Ottawa. http://www.finland.ca/public/default.aspx?nodeid=36033&contentlan=2&culture=en-US#1938. Retrieved May 23, 2011. 
12. ^ "Canada Declares War on Japan". Inter-Allied Review via ibiblio. December 15, 1941. http://www.ibiblio.org/pha/policy/1941/411208b.html. Retrieved May 23, 2011.