Queen Elizabeth II always felt at home in Toronto.
In fact, wherever she was in the GTA, whether it be landing at Pearson airport in Mississauga, being at the Rogers Centre or Maple Leaf Gardens, at Gage Park in Brampton, or in her suite at the Royal York, the Queen was home.
Kind, curious, classy, humorous and warm are just some of the words GTA civic leaders used to describe the late Queen, who will be remembered for much more than being the British commonwealth’s longest reigning monarch.
Toronto Mayor John Tory, former Mississauga mayor Hazel McCallion and former Chairman of Metropolitan Toronto Paul Godfrey talked of her humanity and sense of duty.
“She offered stability,” said Tory.
But with a personal touch.
In many ways, Queen Elizabeth, who died at 96 Thursday after more than 70 years on the throne, was the original populist public servant. She was a person who believed in individualism over collectivism as she showed by working during the Second World War and right up until this week. Each person was important to her, which is why she tried to meet, greet and celebrate as many as possible.
“She saw it as a sign of respect for them,” said Tory. “Each person she met mattered to her.”
McCallion, 101, met her many times and said that compassion is why she’s so loved.
“She was a wonderful monarch,” said McCallion. “She was interested in what people had to say.”
The first time the iconic McCallion met her was at a youth conference in London when she was just 24 and the then-princess was just 19.
“She was terrific,” said McCallion.
Years later, McCallion would always meet her at Pearson at the beginning of their trips to Canada. And she would always remember Hurricane Hazel.
“She understood public service,” said McCallion.
Both had that, and longevity, in common. It was no surprise to McCallion that just two days before her death she was still working by swearing in new British Prime Minister Liz Truss.
“She took her role seriously,” said Hazel.
Godfrey noted that no matter “how she was feeling or what was going on in private her life” the Queen was always on 100% when she was in public and made every person she met feel special.
“She served so gracefully for 70 years and worked almost up to her last day. She didn’t want to let her people down,” Godfrey said.
Even though he met her in his official role for Metro Toronto, the chairman and founder of Postmedia said it always a “warm feeling” meeting the Queen who made everybody feel special.
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“I remember going on board the Royal Yacht Britannia with Prime Minister Brian Mulroney when he slapped me on the back and said, ‘how’s this for a kid from Quebec and a Jewish kid who grew up in Kensington Market having dinner with the Queen,” said Godfrey. “It was a thrill for both of us. We respected her and she was gracious with us.”
To mark the importance of her life and death, Tory has the city’s flags at half-mast. is dimming the Toronto sign and has books of condolences available to sign.
Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie and Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown are doing similar tributes on the first day in most Canadians’ lifetimes they don’t have the Queen as their monarch and are now ruled by a king.
There is no replacing Queen Elizabeth, but the Greater Toronto Area she visited a dozen times is remembering her, honouring her and thanking her.
Rest in peace, Your Majesty.
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