George-Étienne Cartier Was Made a Baronet by Queen Victoria in 1868, Which Explains Why His Name is Preceded by "Sir"?

Coat of arms of George-Étienne Cartier
© Naitonal Archives of Canada / C-5532

Ceremonial sword offered by Queen Victoria upon elevating Cartier to baronetage
© Parks Canada / Jacques Beardsell

Cartier played a key role in the negotiations and the adoption of numerous pieces of legislation which were instrumental to his country's development. These laws gave rise to institutions that have continued to govern Canada, Quebec in particular, to the present day. Take, for example, the adoption of the Civil Code of Lower Canada, the abolition of the seigneurial regime of land ownership in Quebec, the establishment of "normal" schools (teacher training institutes), or the creation of the Canadian militia, which served until World War I.

George-Étienne Cartier was made a baronet by Queen Victoria in 1868, in honour of his important contribution to institutional reform and the forging of the Confederation.