A celebration for some, the somber day was marked in various ways across the country.
In Ottawa, a national memorial service was held at Christ Church Cathedral, where Queen Elizabeth was cheered by former prime minister Brian Mulroney and former governor general Adrienne Clarkson.  Both had met Queen Elizabeth II on several occasions, and in their speeches, they offered their recollections of moments of calm from those encounters, to a rapt audience.
“As someone who has had the privilege of a significant relationship with Her Majesty for many years, I can simply say this: She was extremely intelligent. A woman of impeccable judgment. Determined, selfless, witty, very witty and kind,” Mulroney said. .  , going on to say that Canada’s successes, which are deeply admired worldwide, are in part a product of the system of government chosen by its founders. 
“Today our system may seem anachronistic to some. I understand that, but to others… the role of the monarchy, and in particular, the irreplaceable role played by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II for 70 years has been absolutely necessary in the extremely impressive achievements of our country and contributions to peace and prosperity and stability, at home and around the world,” the former prime minister said.
Clarkson reflected on the highlights of Canadian history at which the Queen was present and drew laughs from the crowd when he spoke of the Queen’s declaration that she would never step down.
“”It is not in our tradition.  Although I guess if I went all ga-ga, someone would have to do something,” Clarkson recalled the Queen saying. “But she held the course until the end.  Concentrated, docile, calm, the essence of calm.”
In his tribute to Queen Elizabeth II, Algonquin spiritual advisor and Ottawa English Poet Laureate Albert Dumont referred to the “horrors committed against the native populations of British colonized territories by previous monarchs”, while also referring to the “ability her emotional connection with ordinary people, her desire to make the world cleaner and safer.”

Former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney speaks from the pulpit during memorial services for Queen Elizabeth at Christ Church Cathedral, Ottawa, Monday, September 19, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld As those in attendance – including Members of Parliament, dignitaries and members of the diplomatic corps, as well as representatives of various religious communities and charities with which Queen Elizabeth II had a close relationship – began filing into the cathedral, ‘Amazing Grace’ was performed . by The Appleby College String Ensemble.

MUSIC AN EXCELLENT ELEMENT IN THE SERVICE

Music was a prominent element throughout the service – which had a mix of religious and non-religious elements – including hymns and songs, a video montage tribute of an original piece composed by the Canadian Armed Forces for the occasion and musical interludes by Canadian artists .
Canadian talents Tomson Highway and Patricia Cano performed “Thank You For The Love You Gave” in English, French and Cree.  Ginette Reno performed “Ceux qui s’en vont.”  and Rufus Wainwright performed a cover of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah.”
The Dean of Ottawa Christ Church Cathedral, the Most Reverend Elizabeth J. Bretzlaff, and the Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Ottawa, the Most Reverend Shane AD Parker, officiated at the service and prayers were read by Canadian Secretary to the King Donald Booth and the Canadian Armed Forces chaplain Brigadier General.  -Gen.  Guy Belisle.
A number of visuals related to Her Majesty were displayed inside the cathedral, including an official portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, her personal folded Canadian flag and two wreaths, one on behalf of Canada and the other on her behalf Government of Canada.
Flower arrangements and bouquets were also placed throughout the church and on tables holding condolences.  Flowers included bells of Ireland, thistles for Scotland, leeks for Wales, English roses and maple leaves for Canada.
After a minute’s silence in memory of Queen Elizabeth II, the playing of the royal anthem as well as the national anthem, the ceremony concluded with the tolling of church bells.

HUNDREDS OF IMPORTANT GUESTS

The historic occasion brought together hundreds of Canada’s most prominent politicians and members of civil society to pay tribute to the longest-reigning monarch.
Attendance at the service was by invitation only, with approximately 600 guests filling the historically significant venue.
The ceremony was attended by federal cabinet ministers, including Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland and Canadian Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez, as well as Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh.
Chief Justice Richard Wagner, Ontario Premier Doug Ford, Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson, RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lukey, Chief of Defense Staff General Wayne Eyre, former astronaut Roberta Bondar and former Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney was also among the attendees.
“It was important for us as Canadians … to remember her and thank her,” Rodriguez said en route to the cathedral when asked about Canada’s decision to hold its own events Monday.  “There’s a lot of people from all over the country who wanted to pay their respects, rightly so I would say, so it’s a momentous moment.” 
General Eyre thought Queen Elizabeth II was the first royal female veteran.
“He was an example, an example to live by, an example of service before self, an example of determination, an example of humility. Characteristics we can all aspire to,” he said before the ceremony. 
The cathedral — a heritage-listed building — is the site of numerous state funerals and is the site of memorial services for Prince Philip in 2021 and for the Queen Mother in 2002. Queen Elizabeth II also attended the service at cathedral in 1957 and 1967.

MEMORIAL PARADE

The ceremony was followed by a commemorative parade which began as the events in London were winding down.
In Ottawa, despite rainy fall weather, hundreds gathered along the parade route and in front of displays set up in the Provinces and Regions Garden and in front of Parliament Hill on Wellington Street to enjoy the historic occasion.
“It’s a historic occasion, so I took Rebecca out of school and we decided to come down and pay our respects to the queen,” said Virginia Schweitzer, who brought her daughter with her to watch the parade route. 
“It’s part of history and it’s important to mark the occasion,” said spectator Julie Brennan.  “The Queen has always been a big part of our lives.” 
Moving through the downtown core, the procession began at the Cartier Square Drill Hall, a military training facility adjacent to Ottawa City Hall along the Rideau Canal.  Traveling past the National Aboriginal Veterans Memorial and the National War Memorial on Elgin Street, it turned onto Wellington Street before reaching Christ Church Cathedral.

Her Majesty’s Personal Canadian Flag, wrapped in plastic to protect it from the rain, is carried by a member of the honor guard as the commemorative procession for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth arrives at Christ Church Cathedral for the National Service of Remembrance in Ottawa, Monday, September 19, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang The parade included two RCMP Musical Ride detachments on horseback at the front and rear of the procession, a 100-strong military honor guard made up of members of the navy, army, air force and special forces, the Central Band of the Canadian Armed Forces, as well as as representatives from each of Her Majesty’s 16 military regiments. A member of the National Sentry Program carried Her Majesty’s personal Canadian flag. A 96-gun salute – one round for each year of Queen Elizabeth II’s life – was fired during the parade from a location west of the city center core.

END OF OFFICIAL PERIOD OF PENNY

While there were plans to fly a World War II aircraft during the parade and after the ceremony a Royal Canadian Air Force CF-18 in the “missing in formation” had to be canceled by the Ministry of National Defense due to “bad weather.”
Canadian flags flying at half-staff at all federal buildings and facilities in Canada and abroad, including the Peace Tower, are expected to be raised at sunset Monday, marking the end of Canada’s official period of mourning.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Governor General Mary Simon were not present in the capital as they traveled to London to represent Canada, along with more than a dozen prominent Canadians, at the state funeral.
As attention turns to a new era under King Charles III, Trudeau announced Monday that in honor of Queen Elizabeth II’s lifelong commitment to duty and service, Canada will donate $20 million to the Queen Elizabeth Scholars program (QES), which provides funding for university exchange programs that give Canadian students the opportunity to study abroad.
“Because she was a sovereign who had seen all the happiness and difficulties of life, we trusted her messages of hope – that tomorrow can and will be better. As we say goodbye, we look to tomorrow with the same hope. We seek time for There is no doubt that hard work awaits us all, but it’s the hard things that make the difference in life,” Simon said in a statement issued Monday. 
“To our Queen and Head of State, thank you for being a model of duty, service and loyalty to our nation and the world,” reads this tribute note left with a bouquet of roses outside Christ Church Cathedral in Ottawa where.  ..