POLITICAL EVENTS

PROTOCOL

LEARNING OUTCOME

Gain an understanding of the issues involved in the organization of political events, especially protocol issues.

DEFINITION OF PROTOCOL

A code prescribing strict adherence to correct etiquette and precedence.

Protocol Guidelines for the

Kananaskis Summit

Every meeting involving heads of state and government representatives on official business requires strict observance of specific rules of courtesy and hierarchical order known as protocol. Protocol ensures that the rights and privileges of officials are observed, and also regulates conflicts of precedence that may arise. This protocol is universally respected, and creates the right setting and reciprocal goodwill for international meetings such as the Kananaskis Summit.

ORDER OF PRECEDENCE The Order of Precedence determines the seating plan for

sessions and meals, and the positioning of the official photograph.

For the Kananaskis Summit, the Order of Precedence for Heads of Delegations is determined by the following sequence:

1.        Heads of State 2.        Heads of Government 3.        The President of the Council of the European Union

(Spain) 4.        The President of the European Commission Order within each rank is determined by length of stay in office.

Pride of place is given to the host country irrespective of its Head of Delegation’s rank or time in office.

SEATING ARRANGEMENTS

Seating is arranged such that the Chair/Host is the reference point from which an alternating right, left pattern is used to organize seating plans (beginning from the Chair’s/Host’s right).

OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHER

Heads of Delegations are positioned for the Official Photograph in the same order as they are seated (i.e. Chair/Host is the reference point from which an alternating right, left pattern is used).

FLAGS It is customary to display national flags during the Summit.

Flags are flown at the same height and their size is standardized. They are displayed in English alphabetical order in accordance with the UN membership list, left to right from the viewer’s perspective with the host flag appearing first to the viewer’s left:

Canada France Germany Italy Japan Russia United Kingdom United States of America European Commission Provincial and municipal flags are displayed at events where

representatives from the province and municipality are present.

PUBLICATIONS

When listing delegations in publications, the order is subject to the same rules of protocol as is the display of flags. The order in French remains identical to the English despite differences in spelling. Names of delegates are listed in order of precedence as specified by their delegation.

FORMS OF ADDRESS

Prime Minister of Canada "Prime Minister" first, then Mr. Chrétien

The term "Mr. Prime Minister" should not be used.

President of a Republic (France, Russia)

"Excellency" first, then "President" or "Sir"

FORMS OF ADDRESS

President of the United States "Mr. President" first, then "Sir" Chancellor (Federal Republic of Germany) "Chancellor" first, then "Sir" or "Mr." (name) Prime Minister (Japan, United Kingdom, Italy) "Prime Minister" first, then "Sir" or "Mr."

(name)

FORMS OF ADDRESS

President of the European Commission "Excellency" first; then "President" or "Sir" Ambassadors/High Commissioners of foreign countries

in Canada "Your Excellency" or "Excellency" Canadian Ambassadors/High Commissioners "Mr./Madame Ambassador/High Commissioner"

The title "Excellency" is not accorded by a Canadian citizen to a Canadian Ambassador or High Commissioner but is given by the government or citizens of the country to which the person is accredited

FORMS OF ADDRESS

Federal Cabinet Ministers "Minister" first, then "Mr./Mrs./Miss" (name)

The term "Mr./Madame Minister" should not be used.

Senators "Senator" (name) Members of the House of Commons "Mr./Mrs./Ms./Miss" (name)

FORMS OF ADDRESS

Lieutenant Governor "Your Honour" first, then "Sir" or "Madam" or

"Mr./Mrs./Ms./Miss" (name) Spouse of a Lieutenant Governor "Your Honour" first, then "Sir" or "Madam" or

"Mr./Mrs./Ms./Miss" (name) Premier "Premier" first, then "Mr./Mrs./Ms./Miss" (name) Provincial Cabinet Ministers "Minister" first, then "Mr./Mrs./Miss" (name)

The term "Mr./Madame Minister" should not be used.

FORMS OF ADDRESS

Members of a Provincial Legislative Assembly

"Mr./Mrs./Ms./Miss" (name) Mayor "Your Worship" first, then "Mayor"

(name)