Here are all the times Queen Elizabeth II visited southwestern Ontario
Queen Elizabeth II, Britain’s longest-reigning monarch, died Thursday at the age of 96 after 70 years on the throne.
The Queen visited Canada numerous times over her seven-decade reign, often accompanied by her husband Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh.
During her trips to southwestern Ontario, she stopped by everything from historical sites to centres for the arts.
Here’s a timeline:
1951
The Queen’s first visit to southwestern Ontario took place in 1951. At the time, she was a princess standing in for her father who was ill.
During a coast-to-coast tour of Canada, Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh visited a Ford plant in Windsor. Newspaper coverage of the visit details how the couple’s children, Prince Charles and Princess Anne, were gifted remote control cars emblazoned with the crest of the City of Windsor.
She also made a stop at Niagara Falls.
1959
The Queen’s first official visit to southwestern Ontario took place in 1959 when visited a number of cities in the area during a 45-day tour of Canada. Stops included Waterloo, Guelph, Stratford, London, Windsor and Sarnia.
Queen Elizabeth greets members of the acting company at the Stratford Festival following a performance of As You Like It at the Festival Theatre in 1959. (Photograph by the Stratford Beacon-Herald/submitted by the Stratford Festival)
The Queen walks down Carden Street in Guelph accompanied by Mayor David Hastings in 1959. (Cam Guthrie/Twitter)
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II signs the City of Waterloo guestbook with Mayor Harold Paikin during her visit to the City of Waterloo in 1959. (Twitter/City of Waterloo)
1973
The Queen visited Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo, London, St. Catherines and Niagara-on-the-Lake during in the summer of 1973 as part of an extended tour of Ontario.
While in Cambridge, she presented Mayor Claudette Millar with a pin at Riverside Park.
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip visit Riverside Park in Cambridge accompanied by Mayor Claudette Millar in June of 1973. (Twitter/City of Cambridge)
1984
An estimated 4,000 cheering people greeted the Queen when she visited Brantford in September 1984.
Standing next to Six Nations Chief Wellington Staats, the queen unveiled a plaque at Mohawk Chapel, recognizing it as a national historic site.
The monarch also visited Windsor during her 1984 visit.
1997
In 1997, the Queen arrived in Stratford via helicopter where she watched actors perform a scene from ‘The Taming of the Shrew.’
The Queen then headed to Bell Homestead in Brantford, where she greeted crowds and visited the study where it’s believed Alexander Graham Bell dreamed up the idea of the telephone.
Queen Elizabeth addresses Lucy Peacock, Peter Donaldson and other cast members of 'The Taming of the Shrew' during a visit to the Stratford Festival on June 28, 1997. (Photograph by BDS Studios/Submitted by the Stratford Festival)
The queen meets with Tom Patterson and Richard Monette in Stratford in 1997. (Submitted/Stratford Festival)
2010
In July 2010, the Queen toured what was then known as Research in Motion – now BlackBerry – in Waterloo.
Waterloo Mayor Dave Jaworsky worked for the company at the time.
“The plan was to have the Queen come through the manufacturing lab of Research in Motion and my job was to make sure they got the right smocks. There was one labelled Her Majesty, one labelled His Majesty,” Jaworksy said. “She came in and her team put on the gown and that was my few moments with the Queen.”
Queen Elizabeth is shown a new Blackberry by electronics assembler Elvira Dulic as she tours Research in Motion in Waterloo, Ont. on Monday July 5, 2010. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn)
She helped test a new BlackBerry and left with her own device.
“She was very interested in what she was going to do and would always do the slight nod,” Jaworksy said.
While her visit to Waterloo that day was brief – less than an hour and a half – Jaworksy remembers how she took the time to speak to those who were there.
“She was just a wonderful person. Well-dressed and well-spoken and [had] time for everyone,” he said.
Queen Elizabeth smiles as she holds a personalized Blackberry from co-CEO Mike Lazaridis (right) after visiting Research in Motion, as Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty (centre) looks on, in Waterloo, Ont. on Monday July 5, 2010. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Loblaw ends No Name price freeze, vows 'flat' pricing 'wherever possible'
Loblaw will not be extending its price freeze on No Name brand products, but vows to keep the yellow label product-pricing flat 'wherever possible.'
Discovery in Canadian lab could help laptop, phone and car batteries last longer
A chance discovery in a Canadian laboratory could help extend the life of laptop, phone and electric car batteries.
Woman detained in Syria says Ottawa is forcing her to make agonizing choice in order to get her kids to Canada
A woman held in a detention camp in Syria, along with her three Canadian children, says the federal government is forcing her to make an agonizing choice: relinquish custody of her kids so they can be repatriated to Canada, or keep them in the camp where the conditions are dire. Her children are eligible for repatriation but she is not a Canadian citizen.
15 students in Mexico treated after taking part in online 'challenge' involving tranquilizers
Fifteen grade school students in Mexico have been treated after apparently taking part in an internet 'challenge' in which groups of students take tranquilizers to see who can stay awake the longest.
Cheaters beware: ChatGPT maker releases AI detection tool
The maker of ChatGPT is trying to curb its reputation as a freewheeling cheating machine with a new tool that can help teachers detect if a student or artificial intelligence wrote that homework.
Still no answers on yearslong bread price-fixing scandal: law professor
More than five years since Canada’s Competition Bureau began an investigation into an alleged bread-price fixing scheme, no conclusions have been drawn nor charges laid. As the watchdog is now probing whether grocery stores are profiting from inflation, one expert says the effectiveness of its tools are in question.
Jeopardy! dedicates entire category to Ontario but one question stumps every contestant
Jeopardy! turned the spotlight on Ontario on Monday night with a category entirely dedicated to the province. One question stumped every contestant.
U.S. launches second USMCA dispute panel as dairy battle with Canada goes to Round 2
The United States is filing another formal dispute over what it considers Canada's failure to live up to its trade obligations to American dairy farmers and producers.
Boeing bids farewell to an icon, delivers last 747 jumbo jet
Boeing bids farewell to an icon on Tuesday: It's delivering its final 747 jumbo jet.
London
-
"You're not supposed to appear in uniform at a public meeting like that": Planning, research consultant
London Police Service Chief Steve Williams says an investigation is being conducted after a member of the police service appeared at City Hall in uniform to express opposition to a proposed development.
-
'I'm going to continue to do it': Man attempts to destroy snow sculptures in east London
Jared Clark loves to brighten his east London neighborhood with life-sized snow sculptures in the winter — and despite surveillance footage that recently depicted a real-life Grinch attempting to destroy the sculptures, Clark remains undeterred.
-
Neighbourhood resistance to new sidewalk sways council committee
Public pressure has delivered another blow to a city policy meant to improve accessibility and pedestrian connections in neighbourhoods that were built without sidewalks. Following extensive public consultation and the development of a Neighbourhood Connectivity Plan for the residential streets of Whitehills in northwest London, Ont., city staff recommend several new sidewalks.
Windsor
-
'We’re asking for systemic change': Dozens of educators demand inquiry into sports abuse in Canada
A group of Canadian and global sport educators are calling on the federal government for an immediate independent judicial inquiry into sport abuse across the country.
-
WECHU 'encouraged' by wave of developments over SafePoint consumption and treatment site
After days of controversy over the location of the SafePoint consumption and treatment site in Windsor, a compromise was reached at the 11th hour before debate even took place Monday night.
-
Essex County OPP undergo training on 'Lifesaver' device to help locate missing persons
Many people with autism and dementia tend to wander, the Essex County OPP now has 10 new devices to help find them.
Barrie
-
Pilot program in Barrie will make x-rays more accessible for LTC residents
Several local organizations are teaming up to make x-rays more accessible for residents in Barrie's long-term care homes.
-
Local reaction to B.C.'s new illegal drug exemption initiative
A new health initiative on the west coast is turning heads across the country, including Simcoe County.
-
Mother and daughter wanted for charges relating to animal abuse
Barrie Police are requesting assistance from the public in finding two females wanted for animal neglect.
Northern Ontario
-
BREAKING
BREAKING | Sudbury school board makes decision on drag event
After putting the brakes on a planned event involving high-profile drag queens at a Sudbury high school two weeks ago, the Rainbow District School Board has made a final decision about it.
-
Blind River man charged again in ongoing neighbour dispute
Charges are being laid for the third time in connection with an ongoing dispute between northern Ontario neighbours, police say.
-
Preston Pablo of Timmins receives three Juno Award nominations
Preston Pablo, 21, of Timmins is a singer, songwriter and musician who's been nominated for three Juno Awards.
Ottawa
-
Ottawa police arrest suspect in south-end homicide
A 45-year-old man was killed and a woman was hospitalized in a stabbing at a south end apartment overnight, police said. A 37-year-old suspect has been arrested.
-
Ottawa-area man's wheelchair lost for four days after Sunwing flight home
An Ottawa-area man wants answers from Sunwing Airlines after his wheelchair was lost for four days following a flight home.
-
City crews working around the clock to remove snow
Ottawa is grappling with a lot of snow this winter and the city is working hard to keep up with removing it all.
Toronto
-
Family slams 'unconscionable' actions of TD Bank after 95-year-old woman withdraws $10K in scam
The family of a 95-year-old Ontario woman tricked into withdrawing $10,000 in the middle of a major snowstorm said it's 'absolutely unconscionable' that bank employees allowed her to take out the money without contacting her power of attorney.
-
BREAKING
BREAKING | Baby located at Markham hotel with critical injuries; man in custody
York Regional Police say they are investigating after a baby was seriously injured in Markham on Tuesday afternoon.
-
Toronto woman faces eviction after 36 years in same home because mother dies
A Toronto woman is calling on her landlord to show human compassion and not evict her out of the place she’s lived for the past 36 years because her mother died.
Montreal
-
Man accused of beating Montreal girl, 10, declared high-risk offender
A man who brutally attacked a 10-year-old girl in Montreal's Pointe-aux-Trembles neighbourhood last spring was declared a high-risk offender by a judge Tuesday.
-
WEATHER
WEATHER | Polar vortex to bring coldest air in years to parts of Quebec
So far, the winter season across Southwestern Quebec has been marked by above-average snowfall and above-average temperatures, but that is about to change. Cold, arctic air has been gradually pushing into the province.
-
Family of man killed in Montreal jail wants surveillance video released
The family of a Montreal man who died after he was seriously injured by jail guards while he was illegally detained is calling for surveillance video of the incident to be released publicly. Nicous D'Andre Spring's family and the Canadian Civil Liberties Association are jointly calling for 'all video footage' from the jail to be released immediately.
Atlantic
-
Wind chill explained and what to expect late week in the Maritimes
A blast of Arctic air will combine with northwest gusts to make it feel like -35 degrees or colder for parts of all three Maritime provinces Friday night into Saturday.
-
Shoplifting surge: Numbers increase in Maritimes as economy sours
New shoplifting numbers from Statistics Canada show significant increases in the Maritimes.
-
911 issues caused by change to 10-digit dialing in New Brunswick: Bell Aliant
911 emergency calling in all three Maritime provinces has been fixed following service issues Tuesday morning.
Winnipeg
-
Arson causes $7M in damage at Manitoba business
RCMP in Headingley say a fire at a business in the RM of Rosser that caused millions in damage was a case of arson.
-
New proposed long-term care standards call for better staffing, more direct care
New standards for long-term care homes are being rolled out across Canada in an attempt to avoid a repeat of the tragedies that unfolded during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.
-
Jeopardy! dedicates entire category to Ontario but one question stumps every contestant
Jeopardy! turned the spotlight on Ontario on Monday night with a category entirely dedicated to the province. One question stumped every contestant.
Calgary
-
First affordability payments delivered, long-term solutions needed: recipients
The first instalment of the province’s affordability payments has been automatically deposited into the bank accounts of Albertans already receiving income supports.
-
Calgary MP says Liberal government wasted millions on quarantine hotel stays
A Calgary MP says she's learned the Liberal government gave more than $6.7 million in taxpayer money to a local hotel designated as a "quarantine hotel," but only 15 people stayed there in 2022.
-
'It's a backwards move': Canada Post closes office in small Alberta town
Residents in a hamlet east of Calgary will now need to drive out of town to pick up their mail after Canada Post decided to close the community's post office.
Edmonton
-
'Sheer luck': Bullets in north Edmonton shooting narrowly missed sleeping children: police
Police are asking the public for help in identifying two males involved in a shooting in north Edmonton last month.
-
Ottawa, Alberta expanding $10/day daycare plan to include 22,500 new private spaces
Alberta's UCP government celebrated a victory in "parental choice in child care" Tuesday while announcing that a nationwide effort to make daycare more affordable will also include thousands of new privately-operated spaces in the province.
-
'Possibilities are endless': Louis Bull Tribe women graduate from accelerated esthetics program
A small but emotional graduation ceremony was held in west Edmonton Tuesday as 15 women from the Louis Bull Tribe received their diplomas in essential aesthetics.
Vancouver
-
ICBC accused him of lying about how his Tesla got damaged. He took them to court.
ICBC has been ordered to pay over $2,500 for repairs to a man's Tesla after the province's Civil Resolution Tribunal dismissed the insurer's claim that the driver lied about what caused the damage.
-
North Vancouver senior pepper-sprayed during Facebook Marketplace meet-up, police say
Mounties in North Vancouver are trying to track down a suspect accused of pepper-spraying a senior during an attempted robbery in the middle of the afternoon.
-
Illicit drug death toll surpasses 2,000 in B.C. for a 2nd consecutive year
British Columbia recorded 2,272 illicit drugs deaths last year, new data released by the BC Coroners Service shows.