Mr. Speaker, it is my honour to rise in the Canadian House of Commons today to pay tribute to our departed and long-serving sovereign, Queen Elizabeth II.

It is not unusual to hear of the passing of someone who has reached the age of 96 years. We should all be so fortunate to have such a long life, without the ailments of age that slow so many down. This Queen, one for the ages, seemed active and proved to be completely engaged right up until her last days. Indeed, she carried out one of her most important duties, asking the new British Prime Minister to form an administration to govern the United Kingdom, a mere two days before her passing. This was a duty she had carried out 15 times. In Canada, she welcomed 12 prime ministers in a nation where 23 people have filled that role. That is a significant impact.

Though her passing should not have been unexpected in anyone's heart, her husband, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, having passed away just a year and a half ago, I will say that when I heard the news I felt a great sadness overcome me. Something had been removed from our lives that was a constant, always there and always dependable.

For 70 years, more than most of our lives, she had been our Queen, Canada's Queen, and she had defined the role and shown the dignity, grace and humility as an illustration of service to people in her realms and around the world. She was the literal personification of an institution that provides a light over which free people govern themselves. It is a challenge to separate the person from the institution. The Queen was both personal and the embodiment of good character and duty to people.

People would be surprised to hear what I am sharing today in the House if they were to ask my friends what I thought of the institution of the Crown when I was a young man.

At the time, I believed that free people should be free to govern themselves and that historical institutions had no place in our lives. It was all about liberty, equality, fraternity, and all that.

Life is a good teacher and this is the perfect example of that.

The institution that Queen Elizabeth II represented every day for 70 years has allowed this parliamentary democracy to flourish. Over time, people here will change, debates will change and the direction of our country will change as new leadership and ideas emerge. The institution of the monarchy connects us all as a people and serves as an anchor even when everything around us is changing.

The example the Queen showed us all and the entire world could not have been a better model of service and duty. Such is the role she played, and let us acknowledge that she played this important role every day of her life. There was no retiring and no holiday from this role, but a duty to bear the responsibilities associated therewith ever and always.

Let us think of the person Elizabeth II was. She was a young princess thrust by a historical accident into becoming the heir to the throne of the British Empire. The lessons taught to a young woman and the role she would be required to play in the world changed rather suddenly. Friends changed and expectations changed, and her father passed away when she was still a young woman.

She was married to her one love for 74 years. She raised four children and through it all she did not miss a step. She always kept it real. I personally loved the vignette she filmed with Paddington Bear. Watching her pull that marmalade sandwich out of her purse brings a smile to my face. She was a reachable, real, available monarch. She never seemed as though she thought she was above anyone.

We all have our personal touchpoints. Mine was when she visited Edmonton during the Commonwealth Games in 1978. As accessible as she presented herself, the city watched Her Majesty in awe. We were so honoured to host her.

We all strive to have peace in this world. I think of the strife that Britain overcame in her lifetime and her role in making peace with parties that had caused her own family immeasurable suffering. However, history does not move forward without forgiving the past, and she showed that resolve for peace and demonstrated respect to former adversaries that allowed peace to flourish. That is one of the ways she demonstrated greatness.

The world changed much during Elizabeth II's reign. Britain, along with Europe, emerged from the devastation of World War II and rebuilt from destruction. It is still a beacon to the world. She lived in an age, and everything got to move faster during her days.

She was a great queen, one who will be remember for the ages. Her example is one that some may equal but none will exceed. She has earned her rest. May Queen Elizabeth II rest in peace, knowing she has left this world a far better place than the one she inherited. Long live the King.

Greg McLean

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