Local archivist remembers Queen Elizabeth’s most recent visit to region

Queen Elizabeth II first travelled to the region in 1959 as part of a 45-day tour of Canada. 

She returned in 1973, and once again in 2010 when she toured Research in Motion's offices. 

Bradley Barbour is a member of the monarchist league living in the region. He spoke about the Queen's visit in 2010. 

“The image of the Queen wearing a Research in Motion lab coat, it was such an amazing image,” he said. “Because, not only was it very Canadian, but it was also local, and so remarkable.”

Barbour added why those visits from the Queen were meaningful to the community. 

“When the Queen visits a community, it shows the importance of that community to the rest of the country, because the Queen represents us all,” Barbour said. 

With the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, it has given an opportunity for reflection on the more than 70 years the Queen had been on the throne. 

“To me, she means duty, and service,” said Barbour. “That has always been the main components of her, that have drawn me to here.”