Canadian Secretary to the King

[1] The secretary is responsible for advising the prime minister "on matters related to the Canadian Crown, including providing advice on the government of Canada's heritage-related commemorative initiatives [...] and state ceremonial and protocol advisory functions,"[2] such as royal jubilees.

The post was created in 1959 and was deliberately made separate from the governor general's staff; though, it had ties to Rideau Hall and complemented the viceregal household.

[5] He was thus appointed on an ad hoc basis until 1998, when the secretary would serve for an indeterminate length of time and,[3] until 2005, was always the sergeant-at-arms of the House of Commons.

From 2005 to 2009, the office remained vacant until Prime Minister Stephen Harper appointed the Usher of the Black Rod to the position.

In 2012, Harper made the office a standalone position with a mandate to "advise the prime minister on matters relating to the Canadian Crown.