Senator Ravalia: Her Majesty’s steadfast love for the Commonwealth and her unwavering support for health care and enhanced educational opportunities directly impacted my own path. A foundational education, resources through the British Council and access to scholarships all made my career path more seamless and made it possible for a boy from Rhodesia to stand before you today as a member of this chamber.

I was deeply moved when I received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, as it allowed me to reflect on the breadth of her impact across the globe.

I would like to acknowledge the Usher of the Black Rod, whose relationship with the monarchy and Her Majesty has extended over 30 years. As a member of the Royal Victorian Order, his bond and distinguished personal service to the monarchy are to be applauded. Thank you, Greg.

News of Queen Elizabeth’s passing was painful, visceral and surreal. A presence that had been so constant, for so many, was suddenly gone. A sense of stability had been unexpectedly fractured — so much so that the grief was tangible.

I would like to extend my condolences to His Majesty King Charles III, the Royal Family and all those who have joined together to mourn an esteemed sovereign. May God bless her and may her soul rest in peace. Thank you, meegwetch.

Hon. Mohamed-Iqbal Ravalia: Honourable senators, it is a true honour and privilege to stand before this esteemed chamber to pay tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. As I reflected upon Her Majesty’s singular presence in both my life and the life of our country, I kept returning to her sheer constancy. Through seven decades of tumult, occasional tragedy and nearly unfathomable change, Her Majesty was a constancy that became a part of our lives — an unwavering beacon of stability and steadfastness. Across the broad sweep of this country — and indeed the entire Commonwealth, in all its kaleidoscopic diversity — Her Majesty remained a symbol of unity and an important reminder that our divisions pale in comparison to what unites us. From the moment she received the news of her father’s death at the age of just 25 to her final days at her beloved Balmoral, she remained the personification of duty, loyalty, dignity, grace and selfless service.

As I reflected upon her personal strengths, I thought about the sometimes difficult balance between duty to the Crown versus the reality of being the matriarch of a growing family. In her unflappable and implacable manner, she succeeded in navigating these parallel duties with what can only be described as a resolute tenacity and love, guided by a strong spiritual anchor and the grace and goodness of those closest to her.

In my home province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Her Majesty’s legacy is deeply felt, with strong historical ties and a rich tapestry of respect and pride. My wife, Dianne Collins, and her family are ardent monarchists. She joins so many in my province whose love for Her Majesty is deep-rooted and palpable.

I became aware of how indelibly this respect extended when I first started to visit my patients in their homes. Inevitably, a portrait of Her Majesty adorned a place of pride on the living room wall, flanked by portraits of our first premier, Joey Smallwood, and our medical hero Dr. John Olds. As time went by, I offered my own portrait to many of my patients. Regrettably, there were no takers.