MPs, many of whom were dressed in black, returned to Ottawa ahead of schedule on Thursday to take part in what is expected to be a two-day ‘special session’ to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II and mark King Charles’ accession to the throne III.
The House of Commons is taking this historic opportunity to allow MPs to pay tribute to the Queen’s life and legacy, ahead of Monday’s national commemorations. You can watch the proceedings live, above.
Beginning at 10 a.m. ET, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was the first parliamentarian to deliver a speech honoring Canada’s longest-reigning monarch.
“Last week, Canada lost the only sovereign most of us have ever known. It is important to use these times here in Parliament and across the country to recognize the service and leadership she has given us,” he said, sharing memories of the time he met her during of his life, reflecting on his humor, curiosity and wise advice.
“When someone lives to be 96, it shouldn’t have been a surprise and yet their absence has struck us all in a palpable and profound way. Her Majesty was everywhere,” Trudeau said.
During his address, Trudeau announced that alongside Governor General Mary Simon, he will travel to London for the state funeral on Monday and will bring former prime ministers and governors general with him.
Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre followed the prime minister, making his Commons debut in his new role.
“The Queen had a special place in our hearts, and we had a special place in hers. She has spent more official time here in Canada than in any other country except the UK,” Poilievre said. , recalling his many visits.
The new Leader of the Official Opposition also spoke about the central role the Crown plays in Canada’s democratic institutions.
“Parties and politicians come and go, the Crown endures,” he said, congratulating the new king.
Bloc Québécois leader Yves-François Blanchet briefly offered his condolences, noting that “the history between the Crown and the Quebec nation is both thorny and cruel.”
After the initial ceremonial elements were completed on Thursday morning, he and his caucus left the House of Commons and are no longer expected to participate.
“Queen Elizabeth II led a remarkable life marked by history. Amid huge change, she was a figure of stability, offering a constant symbol to many,” said NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh. “Throughout her life, Queen Elizabeth II has used her platform to offer encouragement in difficult times. Most recently during the pandemic.”
Singh also said he hoped King Charles III would take up the challenge of reconciliation issued by indigenous leaders.
Also alluding to some of the tensions in Canada over the role of the Crown, Green Party MP Mike Morrice said that while “many political issues” remain to be discussed, “today is not that day. Today we honor and mourn a remarkable woman who loved this country and its people.”
Once these representatives of each party took the floor, a minute of silence was observed in the hemicycle. The deputies stood with their hands folded in front of them and their heads bowed.
A motion was also passed, on division, to send Her Majesty a message from the House of Commons of Canada expressing deep sympathy for the passing of her beloved mother and welcoming her accession.
“In this time of sadness, we… send a heartfelt expression of our loyalty and devotion. We, the House of Commons of Canada, are doing all we can to uphold and sustain Your Majesty and shoulder your heavy responsibilities,” reads in part.
For the remainder of the day, Members will have the opportunity to rise and deliver speeches. They each have a time limit of 10 minutes.
An indication of the number of elected officials wishing to speak, MPs agreed on Thursday to extend the session into a second day, meaning speeches could continue on Friday. This special sitting will not include routine parliamentary business such as question period or legislative debate.
Passing a motion at the start of Thursday’s sitting, Government House Leader Mark Holland said the House’s special reminder was “for the sole purpose of paying tribute and making statements about the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the Accession to the Throne”. of His Majesty King Charles III.”
Thursday’s tributes began with a minute’s silence for the victims of the mass knife attacks in Saskatchewan that took place days before the death of Queen Elizabeth II. Her Majesty’s last public statement before her passing was to express her sympathy to those affected by the James Smith Cree Nation tragedy.
During her 70-year reign, Queen Elizabeth II was present at several key moments in Canadian history. In 1957, she became the first Canadian monarch to open Parliament and deliver a Speech from the Throne. In 1982, she signed the Royal Proclamation of the new Constitution Act, which included the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
This special event precedes the opening of the fall sitting, which has been postponed to September 20 to accommodate Monday’s commemorative events.
The last time the Parliament of Canada participated in a special session like this was in 1952, when King George VI died.