any investigation by a person or persons commissioned by the Crown to inquire into some matter on behalf of the federal or a provincial government and to make a report recommending appropriate action.
- 1834  We have alluded to these points only for the purpose of enabling the reader to judge what little hopes we have of improving the condition of the country from the Legislative Council or the Royal Commission.
- 1891  The "royal commission" fake is always available as a means of gaining time by holding out the hope of action without any definite promise which commits the Government to do anything.
- 1963  Liberal leader Pearson's speech in the Commons last month, calling for a royal commission inquiry into bilingualism and biculturalism in the federal sphere, found much favor in Quebec, where the Grits hope to capture the Social Credit seats that cost them victory last June.