Honorifics in Canada are accorded to various office holders in government—in the federal, provincial, and municipal jurisdictions—as well as judges, members of the armed forces, and religious figures. Two styles—the Right Honourable and Honourable—are considered formal, while others, such as Your Excellency, are regarded as honorific and complimentary to the formal styles.[1] Honours stem from the Canadian Crown.
| Honorific | In French | Accorded to | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| His/Her Majesty | Sa Majesté | Canadian king and queen, or queen consort | So styled for life (including widowhood in the case of a queen consort), but lost if the monarch abdicates. |
| His/Her Royal Highness | Son Altesse Royale | Children and male-line grandchildren of the current or a former reigning monarch | So styled for life. |
| Wives of the children and male-line grandchildren of the current or a former reigning monarch | So styled for the duration of marriage and any subsequent widowhood, but lost in cases of divorce. | ||
| Husband of a queen regnant (unless he is also a monarch) | So granted by the monarch, for life unless otherwise provided for. | ||
| His/Her Excellency | Son Excellence | governor general of Canada | So styled while in office; thereafter, only styled as the Right Honourable. |
| Consort of the governor general | So styled for the duration of spouse's time as governor general. | ||
| Ambassadors | So styled only in the country of accreditation. | ||
| The Right Honourable | Le/La très honorable |
|
So styled for life. |
| Other individuals as determined by the King-in-Council | So styled at the pleasure of the governor general-in-Council. | ||
| His/Her Honour | Son Honneur | Lieutenant governors | So styled while in office; thereafter, only styled as The Honourable. |
| Consorts of lieutenant governors | So styled for the duration of spouse's time as lieutenant governor. | ||
| The Honourable | L'honorable | Members of the King's Privy Council for Canada | So styled for life or until removal from the King's Privy Council for Canada. |
|
So styled for life. | ||
|
So styled while in office, unless otherwise authorized to maintain the style for life. | ||
| His/Her Worship | Son Honneur | So styled while in office. |
Officers and non-commission members within the Canadian Armed Forces use ranks in accordance with the ranks and insignia of the Royal Canadian Navy, the Canadian Army, or the Royal Canadian Air Force, depending on which element they are a part of.[5][6] 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)".[7] 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.[8]
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.[9]