Canada Remembers

From the CBC:

“Canada is the country it is today because of Queen Elizabeth, Mulroney says at memorial service”

Canadian dignitaries gathered at Ottawa's Christ Church Cathedral for a solemn send-off to Queen Elizabeth, the country's longest-serving monarch. Canada, a favoured member of the Commonwealth, was the only realm to hold its own national commemorative ceremony following the late Queen's state funeral in the U.K. — a testament to the close relations between Canada and its former sovereign. Throughout her reign, the Queen routinely referred to Canada as "home."

Queen Elizabeth was eulogized by former prime minister Brian Mulroney, who had a close working relationship with the monarch during his nearly 10 years as head of government. Mulroney said the Queen felt "a special, very deep love for Canada — its diversity, its geography and its history," a genuine affinity for a country she regarded as "the greatest one in her realm." The Quebec-born former prime minister said he thinks Canada is as successful as it is now because of the stability of our Westminster system of parliamentary government where the constitutional monarch is central. While some other countries are beset by war, violence and political coups, Canada stands as a beacon of peace and strength, Mulroney said. "We are largely unaffected by the major spasms of social and political discontent that have destroyed so many countries around the world. This didn't happen by accident. The system of government chosen by our founders had much to do with it," he said.  "Today, our system might appear anachronistic to some — I understand that — but to others, who constitute, in my judgment, the overwhelming majority of Canadians, the role of the monarchy and in particular the irreplaceable role played by Her Majesty for 70 years was absolutely indispensable," he said. Former governor general Adrienne Clarkson, who served as the Queen's representative between 1999 and 2005, said Canada came of age during her 70-year reign,   a freer and fairer country on her watch. "The Queen, as the representative of the Crown, was the symbol of democratic legitimacy," Clarkson said. Recalling the Queen signing the Constitution Act in 1982, Clarkson said the Queen "signed over to us what is rightfully ours — our human rights, our human freedom."

Clarkson recounts 2002 meeting with Queen Clarkson recounted a meeting with the Queen during the Golden Jubilee celebrations in 2002. "Suddenly focusing on me she said, 'I shall never abdicate ... It is not our tradition. Although, I suppose if I became completely gaga one would have to do something,'" Clarkson said to chuckles from the congregation. This moment, Clarkson said, was a reflection of her unwavering dedication to public service. "She held the course to the end — focused, dutiful, calm, the essence of equanimity. Like her remarkable mother and her heroic father, her life was guided by intention," Clarkson said.

Christ Church Cathedral, an Anglican church in Ottawa's downtown core, was chosen as the site for this service because of the Queen's formal position as "defender of the faith" and the head of the Church of England, the mother church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The cathedral's choristers sang Psalm 23 ("The Lord is my shepherd..."), which is often read or sung at funeral services because the content is comforting to many Christians during times of grief, and Donald Booth, the Canadian secretary to the King, read a passage from the Bible, Philippians 4:4-9. Brig.-Gen. Guy Bélisle, the chaplain general of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), praised the late monarch for promoting "religious diversity and interfaith harmony." The Queen, a devout Christian, routinely celebrated other faith traditions during her annual Christmas messages — one of the few times Commonwealth subjects heard directly from the monarch. "We pray for the leaders of the world, may they continue to work towards the vision of Elizabeth II, devoting their lives also to the common good. Remembering Elizabeth II's service and her dedication to the cause of peace," Bélisle said.

The day began with a memorial parade through the streets of downtown Ottawa led by members of the CAF and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, two services that were also well-represented at the funeral in London and Windsor, England. Members of air force, army, navy and special forces were accompanied by the Canadian Armed Forces Central Band as they marched past the war memorial and Parliament buildings in Ottawa en route to the cathedral. At LeBreton Flats, across from the Canadian War Museum, a 96-salvo salute — one shot for each year of Her Majesty's life — was fired while the parade marched the city core. While Ottawa faced inclement weather and rain throughout most of the morning, thousands of onlookers lined Wellington Street, the road that runs in front of Parliament Hill, to pay tribute to the Queen and her remarkable seven-decade reign. The crowds grew after British ceremonies concluded as locals flocked from their TVs to the streets to take part in the commemorative ceremony.

The late Queen, as Canada's head of state, served as commander-in-chief of the CAF and is revered in military circles. Chief of Defence Staff Wayne Eyre, Canada's top soldier, said Monday the Queen was a "role model" for military personnel and a "real sterling example of service above self, humility, determination, and she led an incredible life of giving to others."

^ It is important for Canadians to remember and honor our Queen and this was a good way to do that. ^

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/national-commemorative-ceremony-live-1.6585991