Deputy Prime Minister John Manley faced continued criticism from his political opponents on Monday for suggesting that the monarchy is out of date and Canadians would do better with an elected head of state instead.

The Queen, meanwhile paid tribute to Canada and her "bond with Canadians" on Monday in Vancouver, saying she has watched with admiration as the country has evolved over the past 50 years.

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Backgrounder: Royal Visit 2002

In Ottawa, both Stephen Harper and Joe Clark, Leaders of the Alliance and the Progressive Conservative parties respectively, suggested that Mr. Manley refrain from escorting the Queen on her tour later in the week.

Mr. Manley is scheduled to be the Queen's official government escort when her tour wraps up in the national capital region this weekend.

Outside the House of Commons, Mr. Harper told reporters that Mr. Manley's comments have been an embarrassment not only to the Queen and the government but to the entire country.

Mr. Clark stated that "Mr. Manley should not accompany the Queen" and that he "used terrible judgment" in the timing of his comments.

"John Manley is doing for Canada's reputation in the U.K. what Jean Chrétien has done for Canada's reputation in the U.S.," Mr. Clark said outside the Commons.

Mr. Manley told reporters in Montreal on Friday that, while he thinks the current monarch is "doing a good job," he would prefer the country's head of state was represented by a "uniquely" Canadian choice.

"I don't think it's necessary for Canada to continue with the monarchy," the Finance Minister said when asked by reporters if he thought it should continue after the end of the Queen's reign. Mr. Manley has long voiced his opposition to the country's formal ties with Buckingham Palace.

The Queen, who began her 12-day Golden Jubilee tour across Canada on Friday in Iqaluit spent the fourth day of her official visit in Vancouver.

"I treasure my place in the life of Canada and my bond with Canadians everywhere," the Queen said on Monday.

"During the last 50 years I have been with you as this country has evolved and grown — celebrating success, surmounting challenges, resolving difficulties."

The Queen delivered her remarks after a private audience with Prime Minister Jean Chrétien. She later joined the Prime Minister, his wife Aline and Prince Philip at a luncheon in their honour.

In her remarks, the Queen reflected on her numerous trips to Canada over the past 50 years. Since 1951, she has made 22 royal visits to the country.

Regardless of whether one is from a First Nation, or has arrived from Europe, Asia or the wider Pacific Rim, she said, "you reflect the changing face of Canada, and in a broader sense, the rich cultural diversity of the Commonwealth.

"Here in British Columbia, as elsewhere in Canada, you are crafting a multicultural society that provides a model for the rest of the world."

The Queen said she views Canada as a respected global player, a major economic force and a great country. She thanked Canadians for the support they have given her over the past 50 years.

Mr. Chrétien praised the Queen at the luncheon saying that she has "always been a model to Canadians of dignity and decorum."

The Prime Minister noted that the Queen's Golden Jubilee coincides with the 20th anniversary of the Constitution and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

"Over the past 50 years of your reign our country has undergone extraordinary change," Mr. Chrétien said in prepared notes. "But no single document has so fundamentally confirmed our capacity for change than the Charter."

The Prime Minister told the Queen that she has "every right to be proud of this country and how it has grown over the past 50 years.

"For your steadfast commitment to duty, we salute you. For your unwavering service to Canada, we honour you," Mr. Chrétien said.

Earlier in the day, Prince Philip presented the Duke of Edinburgh Awards to young Canadians from Western and Northern Canada at a ceremony in a Vancouver hotel.

Prince Philip gave out gold award certificates to 131 young men and women who had completed the top level of the Duke of Edinburgh Young Canadians Challenge.

Gold award recipients, between the ages of 16 and 25, qualify by fulfilling requirements in public service, skills development, physicial fitness and a challenging expedition.

The Queen was also scheduled to visit the University of British Columbia on Monday where she was to unveil the "Bronze Book" that will commemorate her visit. A room in the library has been has been dedicated to the Golden Jubilee. On Sunday, the 76-year-old Queen received cheers and loud applause by nearly 18,000 fans at Vancouver's GM Place after she dropped the puck at the exhibition game between the Vancouver Canucks and San Jose Sharks.

With a report from Canadian Press