Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh: Visit to Canada - May 17-25, 2005

[HMQueenElizabethII]

As Her Majesty and Prince Philip are going to visit Canada next Tuesday,i open this thread to post information and pics here.
Hope you enjoy.:)

[HMQueenElizabethII]

Here is the programme of the first day:

PM
UTC+1

HM and HRH depart London International Airport (Heathrow) for Canada by CanadianForces Airbus A-310 aircraft

PM /
CST

Arrive Regina International Airport, Saskatchewan (Administrative Arrival)

Met by the Governor General, the Prime Minister of Canada, the Lieutenant Governor, the Premier, the Minister-in-Attendance, and other dignitaries

Depart Airport for First Nations University of Canada

Arrive at First Nations University of Canada

Honour song followed by a Flag song

Prayer by an Elder


Reading of the history of Saskatchewan First Nations Veterans (Video displaying a slide presentation on the life of the First Nations soldiers and their return home)

Presentation of a carving to Veterans by Chief Bird, Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations

Walkabout

Depart First Nations University of Canada for Hotel Saskatchewan Radisson Plaza

Media reception

[HMQueenElizabethII]

Wednesday 18th May

AM

HM and HRH depart by car for T.C. Douglas Building; transfer to landau

Depart by landau for the Legislative Building

Official Welcome to Canada and Saskatchewan Ceremony

Met by the Governor General, the Prime Minister of Canada, the Lieutenant Governor, the Premier, the Minister-in-Attendance and other dignitaries

Military Honours

Presentation of dignitaries

Words of welcome by Prime Minister Paul Martin

Words of welcome by Premier Lorne Calvert

The Queen replies

Sign the Government of Canada Golden Book and Saskatchewan Visitors’ Book

Walkabout to Legislative garden

HM inaugurates the Queen Elizabeth II Gardens by unveiling a plaque

HM unveils the Golden Jubilee Equestrian Statue of herself on Burmese

Walkabout

THE QUEEN

AM

HM enters the Legislative Building

Unveils a plaque naming the Committees Room (Room 12) with a First Nations name

Views portraits of former Saskatchewan Lieutenant Governors in the Qu’Appelle Gallery


THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH

AM

HRH walks to the site of the future Saskatchewan War Memorial

Unveils a plaque commemorating visit to the site and sod-turning by HM and HRH

THE QUEEN AND THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH

AM

HM and HRH sign the Speaker’s and Legislative Assembly’s Guest Books

HM unveils the Saskatchewan Centennial Mural

PM

Depart for Town of Lumsden

Arrive at Town of Lumsden

Provincial Centennial Community luncheon offered by the Government of Saskatchewan

Sign Town of Lumsden Visitors’ Book

Mayor presents HM with the Town of Lumsden’s Commemorative Centennial Coin

Depart for Hotel Saskatchewan Radisson Plaza

[HMQueenElizabethII]

Thursday 19th May:
PM

HM and HRH depart Hotel Saskatchewan Radisson Plaza for Royal Canadian Mounted Police Depot Division

Ceremony of Remembrance

Depart RCMP Depot for Regina International Airport

Arrive at airport and depart for Saskatoon

Arrive at Saskatoon International Airport

Depart for Canadian Light Source Building (Synchrotron), University of Saskatchewan

Station 1: brief introduction and description of the Canadian Light Source
THE QUEEN

PM

Station 2: explanation of Synchrotron and its health applications

Meets faculty members, graduate students, scientists, and breast cancer survivor(s)

Station 3: Bjorkdale School

Meets Bjorkdale students, principal, parents, and other guests

THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH

HRH proceeds to the “Floor”

THE QUEEN AND THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH

PM

HM and HRH exit the Canadian Light Source Synchrotron

Presentation of a framed photo of Structural Relief on Canadian Light Source façade

Presentation by the Mayor of Saskatoon of the key of the City to Her Majesty

Walkabout to car

Depart for the Credit Union Centre

Arrive at the Credit Union Centre

Centennial Performance Arts Gala

Meet performers

Depart the Credit Union Centre for Saskatoon International Airport

Depart Saskatoon for Regina

Arrive at Regina International Airport

Depart for Hotel Saskatchewan Radisson Plaza

[HMQueenElizabethII]

Friday 20th May:
THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH

AM

HRH departs hotel for the McKell Creek Conservation Project

Arrives at the site

Proceeds to grass seeding area

Casts seeds to begin future revegetation efforts

Proceeds to site map to view future site plans of the McKell Wascana Conservation Area

Unveils a plaque dedicating the McKell Wascana site

Proceeds across the bridge, where Mr. McKell signals points of interest

Departs for the Wascana Country Club

Arrives at the Wascana Country Club

Addresses the guests at a fund-raising brunch for wetland conservation

Presents award for long-time conservation activity

Departs for Saskatchewan Centre of the Arts

Arrives at Saskatchewan Centre of the Arts
THE QUEEN

AM

HM departs for Government House Heritage Property

Arrives at Government House Heritage Property Portico Entrance

Walks to unveiling of Government House Heritage Property Centennial Project addition

Unveils a plaque officially opening the addition and naming it the “Queen Elizabeth II Wing”

Proceeds inside through the Frederick W. Johnson Entrance and Foyer

Brief tour of Sir Richard Lake Hall

Visits the J.E.N. Wiebe Interpretive Centre

PM

Proceeds to the Portico Entrance

Signs the Lieutenant Governor’s Guest Book

Signs documents granting approval of the Royal Crown on the insignia of three provincial honours — the Saskatchewan Order of Merit, the Saskatchewan Volunteer Award and the Saskatchewan Centennial Medal.
Departs Government House for Saskatchewan Centre of the Arts

Arrives at Saskatchewan Centre of the Arts

THE QUEEN AND THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH

PM

Informal luncheon hosted by the Government of Canada

Address by Minister Ralph Goodale

The Queen replies

Depart the Saskatchewan Centre of the Arts for Regina International Airport

Arrive at airport

Farewell by dignitaries

Depart Regina

[Humera]

Thanx for starting this thread and posting the schedule HMQueenElizabethII.
I thought I'd post a few articles about the Queen's upcoming visit.

Queen to face Canada fur protest

LONDON, England (Reuters) -- An animal rights group has said it will follow Britain's Queen Elizabeth during her visit to Canada later this month to protest against the ceremonial bearskin hats worn by her Foot Guard regiments.

A protester dressed in a bear suit and holding a placard reading "Save My Skin!" would be present at all her formal engagements, a spokesman for anti-fur group PETA said on Tuesday.

"The bearskin hats are an international symbol for Britain -- they are as British as the queen herself -- but the cruelty behind them is not internationally known," the spokesman said.

"The skins come from bears killed in Canada, many of whom are shot several times before they die, while some escape the hunters and bleed to death," he added.

Soldiers wearing the tall black bearskin hats are seen around the year outside the queen's Buckingham Palace in London where the changing of her red-jacketed guard is one of Britain's most popular tourist attractions.

The queen and her husband Prince Philip visit Canada between May 17 and 25 where they will attend events in Saskatchewan and Alberta.

"There is no justification for PETA's demonstration at all," a British Army spokesman said.

The Army bought only 100 pelts for the hats each year from the annual cull of 40,000 North American bears, he added.

"The American and the Canadian wildlife authority issue licenses for the killing of 20,000 bears each a year on both sides of the border, out of a population of over a million black bears. It is not an endangered species," he said.

The Army has replaced leopard skin and beaver fur in its ceremonial uniforms but has so far failed to find a suitable synthetic substitute for bear skin.

It says a current trial on a new faux-fur bearskin hat will take up to two years to complete.

Previous synthetic bearskin hats have faded to red, soaked up water in rain, and become charged with static.

"You can shake a bearskin and it goes back to its shape again," the Army spokesman said. "But if the wind blows against a faux-fur bearskin, it looks like a bad hair day."

http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/europe...tain.fur.reut/

[Humera]

A museum that will be fit for a queen

The Queen will be the first to preview the huge $180-million, five-year renewal plan for the Provincial Museum of Alberta announced yesterday.

The Queen will be in Edmonton May 24 and will officially dub the facility as the Royal Alberta Museum.

"Over the next five years we will build a museum that will stand as a proud legacy for Alberta," Community Development Minister Gary Mar said at the museum yesterday.

"We are here to announce that the money has been secured and the architects chosen. The $180-million renewal will create a world-class museum in Edmonton," said Mar.

"It will be a place of pride."

Although building design, collections and programs "will be worthy of Royal designation," the facility will be the people's museum, stressed Mar.

"Every Albertan walking through the doors will feel pride, ownership and a personal connection with our Alberta past."

The province is kicking in $150 million toward the renewal, as part of the Alberta centennial celebrations.

The federal government has earmarked the remaining $30 million for the project under the auspices of Western Economic Diversification Canada.

Planning will be finalized over the summer and made public in the fall when the schematic architectural design is completed. Construction could start as early as fall 2006.

The massive facelift will double the existing 19,700 square metres, completely refurbish the present building and add seven new galleries and exhibitions - including the first children's museum in Western Canada.

"It will give people another reason to visit Edmonton," said Bruce McGillivray, director of the museum, who added that the expansion is about 20 years overdue.

"The museum was state-of-the-art back in 1967 when it was built, but that was almost 40 years ago," said McGillivray.

Earlier expansion plans for the museum in the mid-1980s and 2001 were derailed by downturns in the economy.

The green light on this project "will create a landmark building and help us join the family of provincial museums across the country," added McGillivray.

Plans also call for "a grand plaza" to link the museum with Government House.

New underground parking will accommodate 400 vehicles and the current parking lot will be turned into an interpretive park of plants native to Alberta.

The provincial museum averages 250,000 visitors annually.

Cohos Evamy Architecture and Lundholm Associates Architects will team up to design the facelift.

http://www.canoe.ca/NewsStand/Edmont...1/1034679.html

[Squidgy]

Thanks HMQueenElizabethII and Humera for all the information.

So, is the visit still on? There's been a bit of talk that it may be postponed due to the liklihood of an upcoming election ...

[Humera]

Interesting time for the Queen's visit. We have a bit of a political circus going in on Ottawa at the moment. The government might even be brought down while the Queen's here.
I hope things go well and nothing happens to dampen her visit.

[Humera]

Originally Posted by Squidgy

Thanks HMQueenElizabethII and Humera for all the information.

So, is the visit still on? There's been a bit of talk that it may be postponed due to the liklihood of an upcoming election ...

well the visit's still on as far as anyone can tell. A couple of weeks ago there was talk that the opposition might hold off on any calls for the election in respect for the Queen's visit. But I think that Harper is just itching to become PM. He reeks of desperation.

Here's the PM's speech from today.

Text of Martin's statement
Wednesday, May 11, 2005

“Good afternoon.

Canada has a long and proud Parliamentary tradition, and there are rules and conventions that guide that tradition. Rules and conventions that are older than any of us.

The vote in the House of Commons last night was important, but it was not a matter of confidence.

However, it is clear that in keeping with our Parliamentary tradition, the question of confidence in the government must be settled soon, clearly, and definitively.

I have just met with my caucus. Earlier today, I spoke with my cabinet. And this is what I told them.

On May 17, voters in British Columbia will be going to the polls in a provincial election.

Next Tuesday and Wednesday, I will be in Regina to welcome the Queen to Canada. On Thursday, May 19, I will be in Ottawa. And I am proposing that there be, on that day, a vote on the budget bill. This vote will be a matter of confidence.

Make no mistake: I am committed to working with Jack Layton to pass the budget — a balanced budget that would help strengthen our economy, protect our environment and create a national program of early learning and child care.

I believe that Canadians want this budget passed. And I believe they want an election to be held after the final report of Judge Gomery.

If the government loses the vote next Thursday, I will seek the dissolution of this Parliament and Canadians will know that Stephen Harper and Gilles Duceppe have worked together to force an election less than one year after the last election.

By scheduling this vote, I am respecting my obligations to our Parliamentary tradition.

I call on Stephen Harper and Gilles Duceppe to respect their obligations – to demonstrate respect for Parliament and for Canadians by ensuring this House is able to function between now and the day of the vote, and by committing to Canadians that they will honour and recognize the outcome of the confidence vote.”

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servl.../BNStory/Front

So if the vote of confidence on May 19 doesnt pass, then the government will fall two days into the Queen's visit!

[Squidgy]

Thanks for the information Humera ... you are as always, right uptodate on everything. I agree with your comments re. S. Harper ... he is going to make us go to the polls whether we want to or not ... all thanks to his personal ambitions ... and like you say, I hope it doesn't in anyway detract from the Queen's visit.

[timtonruben359]

It does seem certain that an election will be called while Her Majesty is in Canada. I don't see the big fuss, the Queen is alway in Britian when elections are on the go. It will give Canadians a nice distration to see their Queen.

The big question is, if the Queen is in Canada when the government losses the vote of none confidence, will the PM not have to call on her to dissolve parliament, instead of the Governor General? Since protocol states that the Queen outranks the GG when she is in Canada.

[Genevieve]

Originally Posted by timtonruben359

The big question is, if the Queen is in Canada when the government losses the vote of none confidence, will the PM not have to call on her to dissolve parliament, instead of the Governor General? Since protocol states that the Queen outranks the GG when she is in Canada.

The government's already lost its vote of non-confidence and the Queen was not here. Even if the Queen is here when it's time to call for an election and to dissolve parliament I think Adrienne Clarkson will still do it. The Queen may rank her symbolically, but as the Governor General disolving parliament is one of Adrienne's roles. I cannot imagine the Queen reading a speech to dissolve the Canadian parliament when she likely has not been kept up to date about it as Adrienne has been.

I think to avoid embarassment, no matter what the pressure from other forces, Paul Martin will avoid disolving parliament and calling an election while the Queen is here. He'll wait until she's at least 100 feet in the air to make that announcement.

[Humera]

Yes but Martin will have the House vote on the budget on May 19 which he said will be treated as a vote of confidence. He didnt consider yesterday's vote as a vote of confidence. So if he does lose the vote on the 19th, which he probably will, it will mean that the government will be brought down, as he said in his statement
"If the government loses the vote next Thursday, I will seek the dissolution of this Parliament"

Though it would be interesting to see, as timtonruben359 said, if he'll have to ask the Queen instead of the GG to dissolve parliament. The GG is, after all, the Queen's representative in Canada. So obviously the Queen outranks her own representative. If that happens then it'll certainly be an interesting episode in Canadian history, as far as I know there isnt any precedent for this sort of thing, at least not in modern times.

[timtonruben359]

Originally Posted by Genevieve

The government's already lost its vote of non-confidence and the Queen was not here. Even if the Queen is here when it's time to call for an election and to dissolve parliament I think Adrienne Clarkson will still do it. The Queen may rank her symbolically, but as the Governor General disolving parliament is one of Adrienne's roles. I cannot imagine the Queen reading a speech to dissolve the Canadian parliament when she likely has not been kept up to date about it as Adrienne has been.

The government has not lost a vote of non-confidence. The Conservatives and Bloc passed a motion for a parliament committee which will effect the result of that committee, but technically is not enough to bring down the government.

That being said, The Queen is very well informed on Canadian matters, she is after all the Queen of Canada. One of the Governor General's roles is to forward to the Queen all the happens of parliament. She outranks the GG when they are both together in Canada.

Protocol would seem to suggest that Paul Martin must contact the Palace and find out if the Queen would actually want to dissolve parliament should the need arise while she is here, or if she would perfer the Governor General to carry that duty out.

I would prefer that the Queen be asked, but it might detract from her tour.

[sara1981]

thanks for info,HM Queen ElizabethII and Humera about Her Majesty Queen ElizabethII and Prince Phillip's trips to Canada but i cant wait see her new pictures of Queen.

Sara Boyce

[HMQueenElizabethII]

Yes,Sara i'm really looking foward to the Queen and Prince Philip's trip.But we can see The Queen and the Prince at the Royal Windsor Horse Show all this weekend.

[Humera]

Yes the Queen is being kept informed about what's going on as timtonruben359 said. On the news last night on the CBC they mentioned that the Queen is watching the situation as it develops and will consult the PM if anything happens.
I also found out that the last time something like this happened was in 1984 under Turner's government when the Queen had to postpone her visit.

[Humera]

Queen will unveil stained glass at legislature

EDMONTON – Six stained glass windows at the legislature, commemorating the monarchy, will be unveiled by the Queen when she visits the province later this month.

The centrepiece, over the main door to the legislature, will recognize Queen Elizabeth's reign and includes symbols of the monarchy and symbols of the province – wild roses.

The other five windows will go over the other two front doors into the building and three interior doors.

Father and son design team Paul and Andre Winter are in the process of finishing the windows, which are estimated to cost $49,000.

"A lot of the colours that we're using, we're trying to keep it as soft as possible, not to detract from the building," Andre Winter said. "Yet the official emblems and all that are going to be with the official colours, the wild rose being pink with the green, and so on.

"There's the crowns in there, so the crowns are going to have the jewels in there. They're all hand painted and some are done with precious metals."

Winter says the used traditional techniques to make the windows, including mouth-blown antique glass and metal-oxide paints.

The Queen and Prince Philip will be in the province from May 23-25. They are visiting Alberta and Saskatchewan to celebrate the provinces' centennials.

http://calgary.cbc.ca/regional/servl...indows20050512

[Humera]

FOLLOWING HER PARENTS TO JASPER

On the Queen's official itinerary, the weekend of May 21 and 22 is noted as simply "private retreat," before she descends on our fair city for a 2 1/2 -day visit.

The Queen and Prince Philip will be, at least on the Sunday, resting and relaxing in our favourite vacation spot on Earth.

There is only one place in Jasper where the Queen would stay.

The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge.

Queen Elizabeth's daddy George VI and her mom stayed there in 1939. Prince Edward snuck away from the 2001 Worlds for an overnight at JPL with his new bride.

Edward and Prince Philip dropped in during a break from the royal visit to the 1978 Commonwealth Games.

They all stayed in the royal favourite, the six-bedroom Outlook Cabin. Outlook burned to the ground in 2000, only to be rebuilt, as close as possible to the original, the following year.

And what might the Queen do on her day off?

As the head of the Anglican Church, one might assume she will head to the nearest Anglican parish, Jasper's St. Mary and St. George, to bow her head in prayer.

- Another feather in award-winning photographer Robert Bray's cap. On the Tuesday of the Queen's visit, he has been asked to take the only official portrait of the Queen, Philip, the prime minister and Sheila Martin during this royal tour.

That is, if Paul Martin still is the prime minister.

http://www.canoe.ca/NewsStand/Edmont...36165-sun.html