The Queen, accompanied by John Baird, right, Canada's former minister of foreign affairs, and in background High Commissioner Gordon Campbell, leave Canada House on Trafalgar Square.Charla Jones/The Globe and Mail
The federal government officially reopened Canada's main diplomatic hub in Britain on Thursday with a ceremony that included a surprise appearance by former foreign affairs minister John Baird.
The Canadian High Commission in London, called Canada House, was refurbished as part of a plan to allow diplomatic staff to work from a single location. The government says it will play host to a range of services including consular support and visa processing.
Mr. Baird participated in the reopening with Canada's High Commissioner to Britain, Gordon Campbell. They were joined by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. The former foreign affairs minister's presence at the event came just weeks after his abrupt resignation from cabinet. Mr. Baird has said he plans to seek work in the private sector.
Despite the resignation, a plaque bearing Mr. Baird's name and his former title, dated Feb. 19, was unveiled during the event.
Canada's current Foreign Affairs Minister, Rob Nicholson, was not present for the ceremony.
A spokeswoman for Mr. Nicholson said there was nothing wrong with Mr. Baird attending the event on the government's behalf, noting that he was personally involved in the renovation project during his term as foreign minister.
"It is entirely appropriate that [Mr. Baird] represent the government at the event," Johanna Quinney wrote in an e-mail.
A government source who spoke on condition of anonymity said the plaque was ordered before Mr. Baird resigned and takes weeks to produce.
Asked about Mr. Baird's attendance at the ceremony during Question Period on Thursday, Mr. Nicholson replied that the renovations to Canada House were a testament to the enduring relationship between Canada and Britain. "We can all be very, very proud of that," Mr. Nicholson said. "Something else I am proud about is that the member for Ottawa West-Nepean, a privy councillor and an outstanding foreign affairs minister, was there to open the house on behalf of Canada."
A government statement indicated that Mr. Baird announced during the ceremony that the refurbished building's atrium would be named the Queen Elizabeth Atrium. He also presented the Queen with a ceremonial key to the building, which the government said was made from Canadian gold.
Ottawa first purchased the Trafalgar Square building that became Canada House in July, 1923. A second building on Cockspur Street was purchased in late 2012, and Ottawa sold a separate building on Grosvenor Square, called Macdonald House, in 2013.
The changes were made to save money and will allow all High Commission activities to be merged in a single location, the government says.