OTTAWA — Prime Minister Jean Chretien has expressed outrage over Britain’s knighting of two Canadians without his government’s consent.
Chretien telephoned his British counterpart Tony Blair and then wrote a letter to him Sunday objecting “in the strongest terms” that the knighthoods were announced in the Queen’s Birthday Honors List without discussing it with Canada.
Chretien said Canadian law prevents its citizens from being granted any honors that carry a title or privilege.
Welsh-born Ottawa billionaire businessman Terry Matthews, 57, and George Bain, vice chancellor of Queen’s University in Belfast, were granted the knighthoods on Saturday.
The government said it was not disputing the merits of the individuals but was dismayed that the British government had failed to consult with Canadian officials before approving the nominations.
In London, Blair’s office said the government regretted “any misunderstanding” and said it was “quite difficult sometimes, particularly where people are dual citizens and where they’ve lived abroad for a very long period of time.”
He called for a meeting with Canadian officials to prevent future problems.
In 1999, Chretien blocked an attempt by Blair to make Canadian newspaper baron Conrad Black a British lord. Black later filed a lawsuit against Chretien, which was thrown out by courts. He has since announced he will renounce his Canadian citizenship.
