Plaque Unveiled in London Marks High Commission of Canada's Historic Designation

A commemorative plaque was unveiled on May 19, 2025, in London, United Kingdom, to mark the national historic significance of the establishment of the High Commission of Canada in the United Kingdom. The event was attended by Ron Hallman, President and CEO of Parks Canada, and Bernard Thériault, Chair of the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada, and was hosted by Ralph Goodale, High Commissioner of Canada in the UK, according to Parks Canada.

According to Parks Canada, the unveiling recognizes 100 years since Canada House in Trafalgar Square became home to the High Commission of Canada. The High Commission is Canada’s oldest diplomatic posting and has played a longstanding role in Canada’s relations with the UK.

Parks Canada stated that the plaque and official national historic designation were announced on behalf of the Minister responsible for Parks Canada through the National Program of Historical Commemoration. The government created the position of high commissioner in 1880. Parks Canada reports that, although the role did not have formal diplomatic status at its inception, the high commissioner represented Canada’s commercial and financial interests and managed the country's relationship with Britain. Over time, the responsibilities evolved as Canada gained more legal and diplomatic autonomy.

The Parks Canada news release notes that Canada House, where the High Commission is now based, was officially opened in its renovated form by King George V and Queen Mary on June 29, 1925. This year marks the centenary of its use as the High Commission’s location.

Information from Parks Canada explains that the High Commission currently represents the Canadian government to the UK, manages bilateral relations in areas such as trade, security, and science, and provides consular, immigration, and visa services to Canadians in the UK.

To celebrate the 100th anniversary, Parks Canada states that an exhibition about the history of Canada House is open to the public at the Canada Gallery in Trafalgar Square from May through the end of summer 2025. The gallery is open Monday to Saturday, 11:00 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. (BST) and admission is free.

Parks Canada further reports that more than 2,270 national historic designations have been made across Canada to date under a process largely driven by public nominations. The Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada, established in 1919, advises the Minister responsible for Parks Canada on matters of national historic significance.