“I join Albertans, Canadians and the peoples of the Commonwealth in deepest grief and sorrow at the death of Her late Majesty the Queen.

“The long and glorious reign of Canada’s Sovereign has ended, and with it what Sir Winston Churchill called the second Elizabethan Age.

“For almost all of us, she is the only Canadian Monarch we have ever known. In an ever-changing world, she was for us a bedrock of stability and continuity, a ceaselessly gracious and dignified presence in our lives.

“Her late Majesty gave her whole life in service to her people and to the institutions that are the safeguards of our parliamentary democracy and liberties. Continuing her public duties into the seventh decade of her reign and her 96th year, it seemed like she was an eternal presence in our lives. And so today’s sad news is for me and for many a terrible shock, as something permanent in our lives has given way.

“On her many visits to Alberta, Her late Majesty demonstrated a deep affection for this place and its people. Her name will live on forever here, on schools and streets, roadways and buildings, and indeed Mount Queen Elizabeth and the Queen Elizabeth Range of our majestic Rocky Mountains.

“The late Queen was a woman who held a quiet but deep Christian faith. And so I join with countless people here and around the world in praying for the repose of her soul and the consolation of the Royal Family. She would have meditated many times on the parable of the talents, so I hope that she will finally hear the words: ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord.’

“Thank you, Your Majesty.

“And may God save The King.”