Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay homage to Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, who lived a life of selfless service to her people here in Canada and across the Commonwealth.

For 70 years, she reigned as sovereign with unparalleled grace, dignity and prudence, which was carried at a standard so high that it was uniquely hers. Through times of tragedy and hardship or joy and renewal, she was there, like the North Star at night or the rising sun in the morning, a quiet unwavering constant.

With her supreme prudence, Her late Majesty knew exactly when to step forward and deliver the exact message that people needed to hear. This started at the age of 14 for her, as a child, when she was broadcast across the Commonwealth to reassure children, particularly the British during the Blitz, that they would be victorious and it would be up to their generation to rebuild the world, right through to her pandemic address when she reassured us all that we would meet again.

I stand here as the member of Parliament for Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, a riding that has a proud history as United Empire Loyalists and had the great honour and privilege of hosting Her late Majesty in 1984. As a brief aside, that is the year I was born, so I was not in attendance at this historic event.

She visited Fort Wellington in Prescott for a demonstration by the War of 1812 re-enactors. Many locals went out to greet their Queen, and she enjoyed her first time at Fort Wellington so much that she decided to stay well past her scheduled time to inspect the formation of the soldiers. When the soldiers at the demonstration fired the large cannon at the fort, as they love to do, Her late Majesty reacted by saying, “I must say that gives a jolly good bang.” That quote became so famous locally that the gun in question was adorned with a plaque to memorialize the moment.

In 2010, I was thrilled to join my fellow Canadians for Canada Day celebrations here on Parliament Hill. I was with my wife Amanda. We heard addresses from many great folks and, of course, from Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. As she moved from the stage down Parliament Hill and past the Centennial Flame to her awaiting carriage, I was able to stand at the barricades and exchange a wave. I have to say that I was delighted to have that brief second.

In reflecting in the last week on all of the many occasions like this that so many Canadians have had, I learned that Queen Elizabeth II was seen by more Canadians in person than any human in history. It is remarkable. She visited towns, hamlets, villages and cities, and these visits had moments that made us forget the human mortality of our sovereign. For a fleeting second we thought that just maybe she would always be there, because she always has been.

Now, as I reflect upon her life of service well lived, I recall the times that I have sworn allegiance to our sovereign, first as a member of our Canadian Armed Forces, then as a municipal councillor and each of the three times following my election to Canada's Parliament. I am so proud to say that my family and I have been subjects of Her late Majesty every single day of our lives and that we are better for it. Canada is better for having been under her reign for seven decades. I am delighted to teach my children about the lifetime of service given to us by Queen Elizabeth II. Her legacy will live on in our memories and, of course, in history, and we will be forever grateful for her service.

Godspeed, Queen Elizabeth. May God bless Canada. God save the King.

Michael Barrett

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