‘A solemn day for Canada’: Ceremony marks end of an era
Quiet centre of national affairs for 70 years
OTTAWA • While world leaders gathered in London to mark the Queen's passing, Canada's monarch was honoured in a ceremony in Ottawa Monday, as MPS, senators and former prime ministers noted the long reign of Elizabeth II.
Former prime minister Brian Mulroney, the seventh prime minister to serve during the queen's 70-year reign, spoke fondly of a queen who sat quietly at the centre of Canada's system of government.
“We are largely unaffected by the major spasms of social and political discontent that have destroyed so many other countries around the world,” he said. “The role of the monarchy, and in particular, the irreplaceable role played by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second for 70 years, was absolutely indispensable in our country's hugely impressive achievements and contributions to peace and prosperity and stability at home and around the world.”
The ceremony took place at Christ Church Cathedral, the centre of the Anglican Church in Ottawa. The Queen's formal title included defender of that faith. There were approximately 600 people inside, including most of the federal cabinet. Opposition leader Pierre Poilievre and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh were in attendance.
Entering the cathedral, deputy prime minister Chrystia Freeland said the ceremony, one of the only ones outside of the U.K., was a way for Canada to mark an end to a remarkable life.
“It's a solemn day for Canada. It's an opportunity for us to recognize the end of an era, and a really admirable person who served our country for a very long time.”
A military parade proceeded the event, moving through Ottawa's downtown to the church, with RCMP horses in the lead, followed by military members.
As dignitaries gathered inside the Christ Church Cathedral, the singing of the church choir spilled out over speakers onto Ottawa's Wellington Street, where a small crowd stood in the drizzling rain to watch a broadcast of the ceremony.
On the sidewalk next to the metal barriers that lined the street was one-and-ahalf year old Winston — a Pembroke Welsh corgi, the same as dozens of dogs kept by the queen throughout her 70-year reign.
Mitchell Goldie, who brought Winston to downtown Ottawa Monday, got up at 5:30 a.m. to watch the service in the United Kingdom. “But being able to have this service here in Ottawa for people to actually come and see in person is really important,” he told the National Post.
Goldie, 25, comes from a British family who have always been big supporters of the royal family, and said he came out to watch the commemoration Monday to show support.
“It's the embodiment of service. She has given her entire life to service, for Canada, for the Commonwealth, United Kingdom. She's done it with dignity and excellence.”
Earlier in the morning, police had blocked off sections of downtown Ottawa and set up barriers in advance of the memorial parade. Janice Horton was there early. She was a child when then-princess Elizabeth became queen in 1952. “In terms of my life, she's always been there,” Horton said.
Beyond Ottawa, similar commemorations took place in all provinces except Quebec. Following a procession to Charlottetown's St. Peter's Cathedral that included Lt.gov. Antoinette Perry and Premier Dennis King, a ceremony began with a Mi'kmaq drum tribute and song before a 21-gun salute by the PEI Regiment from the battery at Victoria Park in Charlottetown.
British Columbia Lt.-gov. Janet Austin, Premier John Horgan and others were led to Christ Church Cathedral in Victoria by a Royal Canadian Navy band and a 100-member guard of honour.
Bells tolled at Old City Hall's tower in downtown Toronto once per minute for 96 straight minutes for each year of the Queen's reign. Planned flyovers of the Ottawa event were cancelled because of the weather, but a 96-gun salute went ahead.
Mulroney was in Ottawa alongside former prime minister Joe Clark, who served as foreign minister during the 1980s when Mulroney's government pushed the world to end apartheid in South Africa.
Mulroney said the queen was a valuable voice during the push to end that practice and free Nelson Mandela.
“That triumph, as Joe can confirm, would never have taken place in the Commonwealth had it not been for her majesty's discreet, brilliant and generous guidance.”