Details of the National Commemorative Ceremony in honor of Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away on Thursday, Sept 8, 2022 have been announced Sept 15 by Canadian Heritage.
Taking place on Monday, Sept 19, 2022, at 1 p.m (ET), this historic event will be held at Christ Church Cathedral in Ottawa following all elements of the state funeral in London.
Commemorative ceremony program details
- The service would be officiated by Reverend Elizabeth J. Bretzlaff, Dean of Christ Church Cathedral Ottawa, the Anglican cathedral and the Right Reverend Shane A. D. Parker, Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Ottawa.
- Canadian Secretary to King Donald Booth and Brigadier-General Guy Bélisle, Canadian Armed Forces Chaplain General would read the prayers.
- Performance of preludes and postludes will be done by the Appleby College String Ensemble and Christ Church Cathedral organists.
- The Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, 26th Governor General of Canada, and The Right Honourable Brian Mulroney, 18th Prime Minister of Canada will deliver the addresses.
- Tribute to Her Majesty the Queen would be paid by Algonquin Spiritual Advisor and English Poet Laureate of Ottawa Albert Dumont.
- Artists such as violinist David Baik, playwright, producer, and director Tomson Highway, accompanied by vocalist Patricia Cano and saxophonist Marcus Ali would perform musical interludes during the ceremony.
- Ginette Reno, author, singer-songwriter, and actor, and Rufus Wainwright, singer-songwriter and composer will each perform a song in homage to Her Majesty the Queen.
- Actor and singer Kim Richardson would interpret the national anthem.
- The entire program will be available online on the day of the ceremony.
The departure of the memorial parade from Cartier Drill Hall will be a 12:10 p.m. ET and will travel through downtown Ottawa, passing the National Aboriginal Veterans Monument and the National War Memorial. While following the ceremonial route along Wellington Street, the parade will arrive at Christ Church Cathedral for the start of the ceremony.
Canadians of the Capital Region are invited to gather along the memorial parade route. Road closure details including a map of the memorial parade route will be published as they become available on the website and on The Crown in Canada’s social media accounts.
The memorial parade will consist of two mounted detachments of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Musical Ride, each composed of 13 riders; a 100-person Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) quad-service guard of honor (navy, army, air force, and special forces); the CAF Central Band, supported by the Royal Canadian Air Force Pipes and Drums and the Governor General Foot Guards Band; 17 honorary pallbearers (representatives of regiments affiliated with Her Majesty the Queen and a representative of the RCMP); and a flag bearer (a member of the CAF National Sentry Program).
A 96-gun salute—one salvo for each year of Her Majesty’s life—will be conducted during the memorial parade from the LeBreton Flats, across from the Canadian War Museum.
A flypast over Parliament Hill and Christ Church Cathedral by Royal Canadian Air Force CF-18s would conclude the National Commemorative Ceremony.
Canada has flown the National Flag of Canada at half-staff. Flags will be flown at half-staff on all Government of Canada buildings and establishments in Canada and abroad, including the Peace Tower, until sunset on the day of the National Commemoration Ceremony.
Following the live broadcast, the National Commemorative Ceremony will be televised live across Canada and will be available on Canadian Heritage’s YouTube channel and on the Crown in Canada Facebook account so all Canadians can participate.
People across Canada are invited to visit the commemorative website, sign the online book of condolences and to follow the Crown in Canada and Canadian Heritage social media accounts.
Facebook: @TheCrownCa | @LaCouronneCa
Twitter: @TheCrownCa| @LaCouronneCa
YouTube: @CdnHeritage | @PatrimoineCdn
Instagram: @cdn.heritage | @patrimoine.cdn
#CanadianHeritage; CommemorativeCeremonyforQueenElizabethII
