The Canadian Prime Minister, Jean Chretien, has disclosed there's been some discussion among his ministers about removing the British monarch, Queen Elizabeth, as Canada's head of state and becoming a republic.

In a television interview, Mr Chretien said he had discussed the issue with his Australian counterpart, John Howard.

Australia is due to hold a referendum on whether the Queen should continue to be its head of state.

Canadian officials stressed there was no plan for their country to become a republic in the near future.

A BBC correspondent in Canada says there is some anti-monarchist sentiment there, especially in French-speaking Quebec, but also many staunch royalists.