Hon. Marty Deacon: Honourable senators, I rise today to pay tribute to the life and work of Queen Elizabeth II. It’s hard to describe how someone so renowned could touch our lives on a personal level, but for many of us, that’s what she did.

For me it began at a young age of six. In Grade 1, I was very curious about this woman whose image was so prominently displayed on our classroom wall, a queen that didn’t live in Canada. Had I had known I would go on to meet her on more than one occasion, I am sure I would have been both excited and somewhat alarmed at the prospect.

Two such meetings stand out to me that I believe are worth sharing. In 1994, Canada hosted the Commonwealth Games in Victoria. This was my first international games in a coaching capacity, and the experience opened my eyes to many international issues. None were more significant than the return of South Africa to the Commonwealth Games and what this represented: the end of apartheid and the leadership of Nelson Mandela. The Queen was visiting for the games and took the time to speak with athletes and coaches about how significant these games were with their return.

It was then I learned the role of the Queen, not as a politician, but for her abilities to influence, encourage, listen and provide gentle guidance. When the Queen met and spoke with athletes, she inspired them, asked great questions and, at times, added a little humour. I came away from those games wanting to understand more about the monarchy and its influence both inside and outside of the Commonwealth.

In 1998, the Queen arrived in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to close the games. There was political unrest at the time, which included the deputy prime minister there being jailed during the games. At the end of 13 days of competition, I took my team out for dinner. We received a call that nearby there was a political protest that was turning quite violent. I was ordered to get my team back to the village. We wanted to be safe but were not quite sure how to do this. Thankfully, none other than the Queen’s cavalcade provided us with a secure return to the athletes’ village. It was a strange way to meet the Royal Family — surrounded by security — but they were truly wonderful. A few of these athletes had tea with the Queen the next day in the athletes’ village and were very inspired by both the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh.

I also had the fun role of being there in 2012 in the London Stadium at the opening ceremonies of the Olympics when the Queen parachuted in with Daniel Craig. It really did show her lighter and fun side.

Colleagues, there’s a wonderful tradition that is part of the Commonwealth Games. Every four years, on Commonwealth Day, the Queen would insert a message into a baton that would begin a journey covering all Commonwealth countries and would be read by the Queen or her representative at the opening of the games. The message the Queen placed into the baton for the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham has now become Her Majesty’s final message to the Commonwealth. It said:

Over the years, the coming together of so many for the ‘Friendly Games’ has created memorable shared experiences, established long standing relationships, and even created some friendly rivalries! But above all they remind us of our connection with one another, wherever we may be in the world, as part of the Commonwealth family of nations.

Throughout Her Majesty’s long life, her extraordinary dedication and service to Commonwealth sport have been an inspiration to so many. This includes the athletes, officials, volunteers and builders, all of whom she took time to meet when she would attend the games — 18 times in total.

Her Majesty’s vision for the Commonwealth as a diverse and united family of nations has always inspired us, and it will remain our collective mission and duty to realize this vision. Her vision arose from an unwavering sense of duty in every aspect of her role as sovereign, but I can’t help but believe attending these games brought with it a sense of joy as well. There was always a smile that stood in contrast to that serious image that adorned my classroom in Grade 1.

Colleagues, following the ceremony yesterday at Christ Church Cathedral, I was unable to leave when the service was over. I was drawn to the front of the church. I sat in front of the Queen’s large, familiar photo and just wondered whether we really know the full impact of her life. Do we deeply know the impact of her loss? I don’t think so. There are so many pieces to this life and legacy, though it is one that will continue to serve us well into the future.

Thank you, meegwetch.

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