Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and other Canadian politicians mourn the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
“She was one of my favorite people in the world and I will miss her so much,” Trudeau told a news conference following the news of the 96-year-old monarch’s death.
Trudeau said he had “difficulty” believing that his last meeting with the Queen in March was the last time he would see her in person. During her 70-year reign, she had a deep affection for all Canadians, he said.
“She was thoughtful, wise, curious, helpful, funny and so much more,” he said. “In a complicated world, her unwavering grace and determination gave us comfort and strength.”
In a statement released on Thursday, Canada’s Governor General Mary Simon called the Queen’s dedication to the crown inspiring; recalling his childhood where he was told stories about the engagement of the monarch.
“When I was growing up, my grandmother worshiped the queen, like so many others in the Arctic. She told us stories about Her Majesty, her role and her commitment,” Simon said in a statement.
Simon said she would treasure the memory of meeting the Queen earlier this year, praising her duty to Canada where she worked with 12 prime ministers and 13 governors general.
“On 22 occasions, she made official visits to Canada, where she repeatedly professed her love for our country. She has been an unwavering presence during some of the most tumultuous times in our lives and more recently she has comforted so many during the pandemic,” she said.
Acting Conservative Party leader Candice Bergen said the nation would mourn the loss of “the Queen of Canada”.
“As Queen of Canada, she not only witnessed our historic evolution as a modern, confident and self-confident nation – she was an active participant,” Bergen said in a statement Thursday.
Bergen hailed the Queen’s accomplishments as Canada’s head of state, including her signing of the Constitution Act in 1982, when the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms was established.
“This profound moment clearly defined the beginning of a new era for Canada as a fully self-governing nation, while maintaining strong ties to the history that made us who we are,” she said. declared.
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh also offered his condolences to the royal family in a tweet on Thursday.
“Queen Elizabeth II lived a life of history and duty. She was also a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. My thoughts today are with her family who lost a pillar of their strength in their life “, Singh tweeted.
The flags at Rideau Hall in Ottawa are now at half mast.