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Queen Visits Canada

© David Newman

In Her Jubilee year, Her majesty, the Queen and His Royal Highness, the Duke of Edinburgh have planned visits to her nations. As Queen of Canada, from October 4 to October 15, Her majesty has made a tour across our Dominion.

When she first arrived on the fourth, it coincided with a remark by Deputy Prime Minister and possible Chrétien successor John Manley. While Manley's rare Republican views are well known as are those of other politicians such as Brian Tobin, people, even those who are not feverishly monarchists have been saying that it was ill-timed. Chrétien was forced to go out and say that it was a personal opinion and that it didn't reflect the belief of the government.

She began her Jubilee visit, her first visit to Canada since 1997, in Iqualit, Nunavut, her first time in the new territory, where there was a dedication of the Territorial Legislative Assembly and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh presented the Duke of Edinburgh Awards at a local Secondary School, something he will do at many stops across Canada.

The Queen then headed to Victoria and Vancouver. Perhaps the most interesting thing is that for the first time since 1951 then Princess, the Queen saw an NHL game. In 1951 it was a special mini-game. This time, it was an exhibition game between the San Jose Sharks and the Vancouver Canucks. The Queen dropped the ceremonial faceoff.

The Queen and Prince Phillip stop in Winnipeg before heading out to Southern Ontario, visiting Oakville, Hamilton and Toronto. Among the events of her visit, she visits the Canadian Broadcasting Centre where the CBC is also celebrating 50 years and is the guest of honour at a gala at Roy Thompson Hall in an event hosted by the Prime Minister and emceed by Canadian actor Colm Feore.

She made a trip to each region and the Atlantic was represented by New Brunswick where the Queen participated in a variety of events at schools parks and government official buildings.

On October 13, Her Majesty finishes off her trip with a few days in Ottawa. She participates in a Multi-faith thanksgiving celebration and then makes a trip to the Canadian Museum of Civilization. The Ottawa region Museum is in Gatineau, Québec and the Queen met with the only protestors she encountered on the whole trip, francophone republicans bearing signs stating "Go Home Queen", while most of the country, with renewed sympathy for Monarchy says "You are home".