This would pave the way for Canada to become a republic.

Prime Minister Jean Chretien has discussed the issue with Australian counterpart John Howard.

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

The Queen could be ousted as head of state in Australia

But Canadian officials stressed discussions were at their earliest stages, and there was no plan to move to a republic in the near future.

Mr Chretien's reference in a television interview to anti-monarchist sentiments is the first by a Canadian prime minister.

But such thinking has been brewing in Canada for some years.

Two years ago a Liberal member of parliament very publicly refused to participate in an oath of allegiance to the Queen and referred to Prince Charles as a twit.

There has long been antipathy towards the monarchy among many French Canadians in the province of Quebec.

French Canadians feel antipathy towards the Queen

In the rest of Canada, polls have revealed for the first time a slight majority in favour of removing the institution. But any change is likely to happen very slowly.

The British royal family may be becoming increasingly irrelevant to many Canadians, but there is little organised republicanism.

Ending the Queen's reign would also require a constitutional amendment and all 10 provincial governments would have to agree.

The premier of one province has already said he would veto any such move.