Photo by Vince Fedoroff
A SOLEMN MOMENT – Commissioner Angélique Bernard and Premier Sandy Silver sign the book of condolences at the commissioner’s office early Thursday afternoon. Outside, the flags were lowered to half-staff.
Yukon politicians mourn the death of Queen Elizabeth II
A host of Yukon political figures are expressing their sorrow about today’s passing of Queen Elizabeth II in Scotland.
A host of Yukon political figures are expressing their sorrow about today’s passing of Queen Elizabeth II in Scotland.
Commissioner Angélique Bernard and Premier Sandy Silver signed a condolence book for Queen Elizabeth at noon today.
Bernard issued the following statement:
“On behalf of all Yukoners, I would like to offer our deepest sympathy on the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
“Her Majesty was greatly loved by all her Yukoners who recall with great joy her historic visit to our territory in July 1959 when she visited with the Duke of Edinburgh.
In Whitehorse, Bernard noted, the royal couple visited the MacBride Museum, enjoyed a train ride to McCrae on the White Pass and Yukon Route train, passing the Whitehorse Rapids, Miles Canyon and the then-new hydro dam.
They saw First Nations cultural presentations and met with residents.
The Duke (Prince Philip) visited Christ Church Cathedral and the Old Log Church in Whitehorse.
He then flew to Dawson City and Mayo on his own, as the Queen was suffering from morning sickness, as she was pregnant with Prince Andrew, the Duke of York.
“Her service to Canada and the Commonwealth will always remain a testament to her solemn dedication to serving her peoples around the globe with dignity, grace, and humility,” Bernard said.
“She demonstrated it was possible for women to hold important positions while raising a family. She was a model for many women, young and old,” the commissioner said.
“During her lifetime, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was a witness to the history of Canada. She has seen our country grow and mature while remaining true to its history, its distinctive character, and its values.”
The Queen, Bernard added, “had an enduring and deeply rooted connection with Canadians.
“Her genuine affection for our country and its people extended beyond her role as a sovereign. Canadians recognize this heartfelt kinship and have reciprocated with great fondness and admiration.
“We share with the other peoples of the Commonwealth the profound sorrow at her passing.”
Canada and Canadians, the commissioner said, “were a constant presence in Her Majesty’s life and work, and she had so many vivid memories and a tremendous sense of pride in being part of the Canadian family.
“This is a relationship she came to treasure and a country for which she had a deep and abiding affection.
“For many Canadians, she was the only monarch they have known. She was an active participant in Canadian life.
“Her reign as Queen of Canada for 70 years was the epitome of stability, continuity, and service for which Her Majesty was held in great respect and affection by Canada and its people,” the commissioner concluded.
Silver said, “It is with deep sadness that I learned today of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
“Queen Elizabeth II became the Queen of Great Britain on February 6, 1952, and was crowned in Westminster Abbey on June 2, 1953, at the age of 27.
“Her Majesty dedicated a substantial part of her life to public service and helping Canadians and her legacy will forever be recognized in Canadian history,” the premier said.
“In 1959, the Yukon was fortunate to have Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip visit Whitehorse. Yukoners gathered with excitement to meet the royal couple, and it was a special moment for many.
“In memory of Her Majesty, in lieu of flowers or gifts, Yukoners are encouraged to volunteer or to donate to local charitable organizations,” Silver said.
“On behalf of all Yukoners, I extend our sympathies to all members of the royal family.”
Mayor Laura Cabott described the City of Whitehorse as “deeply saddened by the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
“On behalf of mayor and council, we extend our condolences to the royal family during this time.
“The Queen remains an important part of Canada’s history, and we thank her for her 70 years of public service to Canadians.”
Flags across Whitehorse will be flown at half-staff until sunset Sept. 18.
“Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition in the Yukon, the Yukon Party, joins all Yukoners as we mourn the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II,” said Yukon Party MLA Geraldine Van Bibber, a former Ycommissioner.
“For many of us, she is the only monarch that we have known in our lifetime. Her dedication to the Commonwealth and the throne are legendary.
“Upon becoming Queen, she stated – ‘I declare before you all that my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong.’
“We send sincere condolences to all her family, especially her children, Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, Prince Edward and all her grandchildren and great grandchildren,” Van Bibber added.
“We wish them all the best in their future as our royal family of Canada.”
Ted Laking, the president of the Association of Yukon Communities, said, “On behalf of the Association of Yukon Communities, I wish to express our sorrow on the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.
“The royal family has a strong connection to our Yukon communities, and many Yukoners still fondly recall the Queen’s visit to our territory in 1959.
“Always presenting herself with grace, leadership, and dignity, Queen Elizabeth II’s service towards the Commonwealth was unmatched,” Laking said.
“Our hearts and our thoughts go out to the family members of the Queen and the people of the United Kingdom.”
The Commissioner’s Office said Yukoners wishing to pass along their sympathy to Her Majesty and the royal family are encouraged to sign the online condolence book.
Alternatively, people wishing to sign the condolence book in person, can stop by the Office of the Commissioner of Yukon at Taylor House at 412 Main St. during office hours (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.).
Princess Anne came to the Yukon in 1982, while the now-King Charles visited in 2001 as the Prince of Wales.
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Comments (25)
Up 15 Down 3
Nathan Living on Sep 11, 2022 at 7:28 pm
I do like Queen Elizabeth, Charles has some big shoes to fill.
Queen Elizabeth was very special.
Up 12 Down 7
Juniper Jackson on Sep 10, 2022 at 6:07 pm
Yukoner61: Thanks for your reply, but did you have a comment to make about the topic? Which is: the death of Queen Elizabeth.
While the medical situation is a long way from this topic, since you mentioned it: Yes. I am always championing policy for Seniors. Why? Because people, not just seniors, are dying because of Liberal policy, or having to leave their homes and move south. If every Province/Territory in Canada is covering a medication, and every insurance company, our "formulary" should cover it too. The medical system is in trouble all over Canada. Nothing new there. When CPP was being sold to the public, we were assured that with this plan, we would all be looked after in our old age. The "new" seniors are being told, CPP and OAS is going to cover, maybe 1/8th of your expenses, start RRSPs, RIFS, TaxFree Savings, Savings Accounts, when you are 20. So, yeah. Todays seniors, especially those over 75 need a little more help.
I take offence at being referred to as 'whining'. I am just as entitled to my opinion as you are, as everyone else is. There is a thumbs down for disagreement. A person does not have to be spiteful or out and out nasty because a person doesn't like what is said. That I like the Monarchy is not related to my opinions on the medical situation at all.
Up 16 Down 4
drum on Sep 10, 2022 at 4:27 pm
I grew up with her on the Throne, She gave her life to serving others. I will miss her dreadfully. But I will support King Charles.
Up 26 Down 1
jack on Sep 10, 2022 at 12:45 am
@Patti Eyre
You're living in the long distant past, we're talking about now, today!
While you're living in the past, don't forget that it took a constitutional monarchy to ban the slave trade, a trade which still persists today in a big way in Africa and the Middle East. Why don't you go there and protest for utopia?
Up 6 Down 16
Yukoner61 on Sep 9, 2022 at 10:19 pm
@Juniper
You are always on here whining about how seniors aren't given enough money, the medical system doesn't have enough money, etc,.
Now you are here saying that you like the monarchy. So, you are ok with the millions or maybe billions of taxpayer money going to fund these figureheads and their accompanying pomp. Did it ever occur to you that this money could help with the things you are always complaining about and blaming the government for?
Up 5 Down 18
Patti Eyre on Sep 9, 2022 at 7:46 pm
@bonanza I really feel very strongly that you should read a book read anything on communism, as you obviously are clueless about it. Shame!
Up 7 Down 0
Anie on Sep 9, 2022 at 6:03 pm
Patti Eyre - there were, I think, 71 fathers of confederation. Which one did the British hang?
Stephen - Jimmy Seville's knighthood cannot be rescinded. Knighthoods die with the recipient
Up 18 Down 10
bonanzajoe on Sep 9, 2022 at 5:08 pm
@Patti Eyre on Sep 9, 2022. The way things are going under the present Trudeau, I'm sure you will have your Communist system officially representing Canada soon. Thank the good Lord, I won't be around when it does.
Up 7 Down 4
bonanzajoe on Sep 9, 2022 at 5:02 pm
@jack on Sep 9, 2022. You're right, I just wish they would leave their homeland politics over there.
Up 16 Down 6
bonanzajoe on Sep 9, 2022 at 4:58 pm
@Juniper Jackson. I don't think the British Monarchy will ever be the same. Her Majesty broke the mold. And let's not forget Prince Philip. He was a great husband and supporter.
Up 7 Down 28
Yukoner on Sep 9, 2022 at 3:04 pm
Tough to morn the queen while being woke to the harms caused by colonialism... or maybe not. Guess you have to ask how seriously all our politicians are taking reconciliation or how much of it is just virtue signalling.
Up 9 Down 24
Yukon Liberal on Sep 9, 2022 at 2:28 pm
Did not realize how many fans of the royal family there was. Celebrating her life is hilarious. Look up how her family has treated their undesirable. Let alone knighting Jimmy Saville and raising their own crop of questionable behavior to the youth. Real stand up people for sure...
Up 16 Down 1
Bill on Sep 9, 2022 at 1:46 pm
@ Mr Facts
I suggest you learn what the facts really are before espousing your comments that you know little of.
Your problem is simple - you don't know the facts. You create a make believe "I know the facts".
Up 19 Down 4
John on Sep 9, 2022 at 1:43 pm
@ apex parasite
You know - I think the last part of your name may suit you.
You are not very well versed on the fact that it was Queen Victoria that gave the FN peoples the rights they enjoy. If it were not for her then it is likely they would have suffered as much as the natives in other countries south of us.
Up 6 Down 33
Patti Eyre on Sep 9, 2022 at 1:25 pm
Like it or not, the constitution monarchy is a system that displace hundreds of thousands of people, maybe even in the millions. Be it Africa where they were part of the slave trade, Australia and New Zealand where they tried to annihilate the locals, or even here in Canada where they hanged one of the fathers of confederation. This family of royalty forced people to flee their own homelands, stole their prosperity, and outlawed their kind. I shall pray upon this!
Up 18 Down 2
stephen on Sep 9, 2022 at 1:06 pm
While I do believe Great Britain, corporations and other world powers have a lot to answer for, a person has died show some respect for the dead.
She had no real power to force the British Government today to do anything they did not want to do. She's a figure head. You may want to educate yourself on that.
As for her having pics in her cottage did not know you were that intimate with her to be at the cottage. You must mean her son. She could have and so can the new king revoke this Jimmy Saville (don't know who he is) knighthood but that's up to them.
Up 16 Down 35
Apex Parasite on Sep 9, 2022 at 12:05 pm
I feel the royal family and how they relate to their subjects and the catholic church and how they relate to FN has many parallels.....Stockholm syndrome on steroids.
How else do you explain so many faithful in the face of atrocities and abuse?
The sooner there is no "royal family" the better. Same for the catholic church tbh (all organized religion). As a species these paradigms no longer hold up for us.
"I declare before you all that my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong"......really? No.....just no. "our great imperial family" smfh
Up 18 Down 39
Mr Facts on Sep 9, 2022 at 9:59 am
Sorry to rain on your parade people. But I enjoy facts. Like how she knighted Jimmy Saville. One of, if not the biggest pedophiles known. Photos of Epstein and Maxwell at her cottage retreat. Sorry, but these people don't deserve any condolences. To turn a blind eye and try to pretend these things don't matter because it makes you uncomfortable is an illegitimate excuse. Period. "Oh they didn't know" Yeah keep telling yourself that. The only real Royal was Diana. And we all know what happened to her.
Up 37 Down 6
John on Sep 9, 2022 at 8:31 am
@ Mr Facts
Son - show some class. What you think, and what you say should sometimes be to yourself. Be respectful, or at least try, if not then remember that silence is golden.
Up 36 Down 5
jack on Sep 9, 2022 at 12:37 am
Like it or not, the constitution monarchy is a system that thousands of people are dying trying to reach each year. Be it in the England Channel, seas around Australia/New Zealand or Roxham Road Quebec, people are fleeing the systems of their homelands for the stability and prosperity afforded by this system of government.
Up 25 Down 5
Chuck Farley on Sep 8, 2022 at 8:50 pm
Mr Facts deal with it
Up 37 Down 6
bonanzajoe on Sep 8, 2022 at 8:25 pm
I remember when Princess Elizabeth and her husband Prince Philip visited Thunder Bay/Fort William in 1951. All the schools were closed and we gathered in the Hockey rink. I was only 10 years old and stood, I think in the 2nd row. She stopped and said something nice to us. I thought she was so pretty.
She was Queen of Queens and Lady of Ladies. Rest in Peace Your Majesty. God save the King!
Up 32 Down 13
Juniper Jackson on Sep 8, 2022 at 7:40 pm
I like the Monarchy. Something stable in a world chaos. Elizabeth lived an incredible, awesome life. If Charles is 1/4th the King that Elizabeth was a a Queen, he'll be a good kind. If Markle keeps her mouth shut, her funeral will be respectful, and reflective of days gone by.
Up 35 Down 5
Charlie's Aunt on Sep 8, 2022 at 6:00 pm
@ Mr Facts, As well as being uncalled for your comment shows your ignorance of the fact that it is incumbent on politicians to show respect when a member of the monarchy dies. Whether you or anyone else likes their choice of words is irrelevant.
Up 22 Down 63
Mr Facts on Sep 8, 2022 at 4:11 pm
Speak for yourselves please.