Hon. Donald Neil Plett (Leader of the Opposition): Honourable senators, I have the honour today to add my voice to the countless people expressing deep sadness over the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and to pay tribute to her extraordinary life.

I know the loss of Her Majesty is deeply felt by millions throughout Canada, the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth and around the world. Of course, I am sure that the pain we are all feeling is felt much more poignantly by her loved ones and those close to her who laid her to rest in a beautiful ceremony yesterday. I want to first offer my deepest condolences to the Royal Family for, ultimately, they are grieving the loss of not just their monarch, but also of a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

The death of Queen Elizabeth II has left us all devastated, in large part because many of us are not able to imagine a world without her in it. For most of us, she has been the only ruling sovereign we have ever known, an ever-present symbol to remind us of our values, and a constant presence throughout decades of great transformation.

Her Majesty leaves behind an incomparable legacy that was defined above all by her selfless commitment to the institution she served. Despite being unexpectedly thrust into the line of inheritance following the abdication of the throne by her uncle, King Edward VIII, Queen Elizabeth took on the responsibility of the Crown and devoted herself entirely to its service. As a 21‑year‑old princess, she vowed to devote her life to her people. For the entirety of her historic reign as Queen, she never wavered in her commitment to her vow — not once — and she bore the symbolic weight of the Crown with grace and without complaint.

Queen Elizabeth II’s reign spanned 70 years. She was Canada’s longest-reigning monarch — a milestone that was marked earlier this year by Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee. All of us here in Canada and across the Commonwealth should feel incredibly grateful to have been able to celebrate such a momentous occasion and partake in such precious moments with our beloved Queen.

When her tenure began in 1952, the world looked very different from what it does today, with much of the world still reeling from the catastrophe of the Second World War. Throughout the course of her reign, the world changed many times over. There was the dawn of the Cold War, the social and cultural transformations of the 1960s, the collapse of the Soviet Union, the attacks of 9/11 and the war on terror and the global financial crisis. There was also the U.K.’s entry into and withdrawal from the European Union. And, most recently, there was the COVID-19 pandemic. Her Majesty bore witness to it all and was our anchor in times of tumultuous change.

Her Majesty’s unwavering Christian faith guided and inspired the Crown throughout her reign. Her Majesty relied on her faith in good and in difficult times. Her religious beliefs were often reflected in her annual Christmas messages of hope and trust. They were founding principles in her decision-making process, and her faith was a beacon for all of us.

For us here in Canada especially, Queen Elizabeth II represents an immeasurable part of our country’s history. Over the course of her reign, she has been a constant presence in our lives. Her tenure as Canada’s head of state spanned 12 Canadian prime ministers. Throughout that time, Her Majesty shared in some of our proudest and most memorable moments, and also guided us through times of hardship and uncertainty.

Her love and affection for Canadians were evident and always felt, especially in the difficult moments. Up to the very end, she showed us that we were always in her thoughts and in her heart. Her Majesty’s last public statement, just a few days before her passing, was a message to the families of the victims of the horrific attacks in Saskatchewan.

Canada was Her Majesty’s most visited realm country. We were blessed to be able to welcome her here for 22 official visits. Her visits were always marked by crowds of excited Canadians waiting to welcome their beloved monarch and to shower her with tokens and messages of their gratitude. In her interactions with Canadians, the Queen always reciprocated their appreciation with the warmth and grace that was so characteristic of her.

As a proud Manitoban, Her Majesty’s visits to my home province always meant very much. They were always occasions of great joy for all Manitobans who loved and admired her so dearly. She visited Manitoba six times, once as a princess and five times as a queen.

I wish to highlight one visit, in particular. The one that stands out most in my memory is the Queen’s final visit to Winnipeg in July 2010. Her Majesty and her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, were welcomed as the first official passengers to arrive at the James Armstrong Richardson International Airport, a welcome which highlighted not just the new airport itself but also the volunteers who assisted in its daily operation.

A luncheon with the then-Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba was followed by the unveiling of a statue of the Queen, a tree planting in honour of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and, finally, a walkabout to greet Manitobans. Later on in the day, they were set to make their way to various celebrations for the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.

En route to their engagement, the Queen and Prince Philip arrived at the Esplanade Riel. It’s important to mention that it was in the middle of summer and, as I recall, a very hot July day. Nevertheless, Her Majesty stood in the 30-degree heat and walked a considerable distance on foot — more than a kilometre — as she crossed the bridge. Her presence always drew crowds. On that day, many Manitobans got the opportunity to see Her Majesty.

I recall vividly Her Majesty taking the time to speak and exchange with dozens and dozens of children. It is no wonder that Manitobans, Canadians and, frankly, the world loved their queen. Queen Elizabeth II would have been 84 years old at that time, and she was solid as a rock and truly a strong force. For more than an hour, she stood with grace and elegance, as she always did throughout her remarkable reign.

I still fondly look back on that visit as being a true testament to Her Majesty’s strength and dedication to duty, which endured right to the end of her life.

Her Majesty’s passing marks the end of an era, not just for Canada and the Commonwealth, but also for the world. She meant so much to so many. Millions of people have benefited from the unique wisdom only she was able to offer through the unparalleled depth of her experiences. While we grieve her absence, we must also be grateful for the valuable lessons she has gifted us through her service and cherish the memories she left us with. We are left to celebrate a truly remarkable life, which was defined, above all, by service, commitment and leadership.

As we bid farewell to our beloved Queen, we begin a new era. We honour the constancy and commitment to which she served by looking ahead toward our new monarch, King Charles III.

God save the King.

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