The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II is carried from St. Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh, Scotland, Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2022. Provincial governments in Atlantic Canada have declared holidays in honour of the late queen’s funeral service on Monday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP -Bernat Armangue

By Derek Craddock

SEPTEMBER 19

What the Queen’s funeral and federal holiday means for Saskatchewan

Sep 13, 2022 | 5:00 PM

In just under a week, Canada will mark a national holiday to honour the legacy of Queen Elizabeth II.

That date, Sept 19, is the day of the Queen’s state funeral, which Prime Minister Justin Trudeau declared a holiday for federal employees and federally regulated industries on Tuesday. These industries include Crown corporations, banks, and airlines.

However, the day will only be recognized as a day of tribute for Saskatchewan residents.

In a statement issued Tuesday afternoon, Premier Scott Moe said, “Her late Majesty’s seven decades of selfless public service is an honourable legacy. We will pay tribute to her incredible dedication and commemorate her 70-year reign in a memorial service in our capital city – the Queen City.”

While September 19 is being proclaimed to honour Queen Elizabeth II, it has not been designated as a provincial public statutory holiday.

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Major Jason Quilliam is Saskatchewan’s Chief of Protocol, a position that helps direct etiquette and precedence in the organization during important or official events with the Royal Family, the Governor General, the Lieutenant Governor, diplomats and foreign delegations.

While he couldn’t comment on matters of federal policy, he said honouring the Queen during the state funeral is important.

“It touches everyone a little bit differently. I think what you can’t deny is that her majesty served in utter dedication for 70 years. I hope that those folks who met her will remember those times and those who never met her would remember the unwavering dedication and service she gave to us.”

Quilliam said one of the biggest moments in Elizabeth’s life, was her famous speech from South Africa, declaring her dedication to duty.

“She dedicated her life to the service of the Commonwealth. It’s a promise of destiny that’s been kept. She had a devotion that was constant and that never wavered over the course of 70 years as our Queen. She loved Canada, she was the Queen of Canada.”

“We see that in the reaction from world leaders and people across the world.”

The Queen passed away Thursday at age 96 following a record-breaking 70-year reign. Her eldest son ascended to the throne as King Charles III.

The Queen’s casket is currently being transported to London to lie in state before her funeral.

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derek.craddock@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @PA_Craddock