Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada, passed away on September 8, 2022. For over 70 years, the Queen served as Canada's head of state – the longest to ever serve in that role.
The second Elizabethan Age is over. It will be remembered for the Queen's unflagging dedication to duty and service.
At 21, she said: “My whole life whether it be long or short shall be devoted to your service.” She spent her life fulfilling that commitment.
The Queen’s reign began on February 6, 1952. At that time, Louis St. Laurent was prime minister. Since then, the Queen worked with 12 Canadian prime ministers and served for almost half of the time since Confederation.
For seven decades, she did everything Canada asked of her without controversy or crisis. Under her reign, Canada underwent important nation-building transformations. On February 15, 1965, she issued the royal proclamation that established our iconic red and white maple leaf flag as the national flag. In 1982, she came to Parliament Hill to sign the royal proclamation that patriated our Constitution from the United Kingdom. This historic event reaffirmed the position of constitutional monarchy in Canada.
During her 2010 tour of Canada (one of 22) she stated the following: “Canadians have, by their own endeavours, built a country and society which is widely admired across the world. I am fortunate to have been witness to many of the developments and accomplishments of modern Canada. As Queen of Canada for nearly six decades, my pride in this country remains undimmed.”
My wife and I had the honour of meeting her during that tour. We watched as she and Prince Philip patiently greeted hundreds of guests at a state dinner at the Royal York Hotel. She didn’t leave until she had greeted the hotel workers – something she insisted on.
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was there through watershed moments in our country’s history and established herself as a model for all of us to emulate. We shall not see the likes of her again and mourn her passing.
The Queen is dead. Long live the King.