What is "protocol"?
Protocol generally refers to customs and rules of politeness and courtesy between individuals and in society. For governments, nations and provinces, protocol is a system of conventions, procedures and symbols which express their identity and facilitate relationships between them.
What does government protocol involve?
Government protocol covers such areas as official visit procedures, symbols (flags and other visual emblems, anthems, uniforms), forms of address (written and verbal), tables of precedence, state ceremonial, guidelines for hospitality, and official honours and awards. It also includes details like guest-lists, invitations, seating-plans, gifts and dress codes. International protocol is a complex system of rules and conventions which govern the relationships between nation-states and in international organizations.
What does a protocol office do?
Protocol offices plan and organize official visits within their jurisdiction, for example those of diplomats, foreign delegations, the Royal Family and the Governor General. They are usually responsible for government hospitality and ceremonial events and provide a consulting or advisory service on protocol-related matters. Depending on the jurisdiction, protocol offices may have a number of other responsibilities.
What protocol offices do we have in Canada?
Within federal jurisdiction, the Office of Protocol of the Department of Foreign Affairs is responsible for Canada's international protocol: relationships with the diplomatic corps, organization of official visits from other countries and of Canada's official visits to those countries. The Major Events and Celebrations Branch in the Department of Canadian Heritage looks after Canada's national symbols, state ceremonial, events like Canada Day, and visits by members of the Royal Family. The Office of the Governor General at Rideau Hall is responsible for the programme of the Governor General, for the national honours of Canada, and for heraldry.
All provinces and territories of Canada have their own protocol offices to handle protocol-related matters within their jurisdiction and to co-operate with their federal counterparts in joint activities.
