Queen Elizabeth II will be the longest serving monarch in history by the time September arrives, but the City of Powell River will be unable to meet a request to host a special event in her honour.
At the Tuesday, June 16, committee of whole meeting, council reviewed a letter from Robert Finch, Dominion Chairman of The Monarchist League of Canada. Finch said he was writing to 3,500 mayors across the country to ask municipalities to consider organizing a brief, simple, heartfelt noontime ceremony, preferably outdoors, at city hall or some other central place in the community on September 9.
Councillor Maggie Hathaway said allocating staff time toward planning an event might not be the best use of their time so she was thinking that flying the Union Jack at city hall for that day might be a suitable acknowledgement.
Councillor Karen Skadsheim said if another group was organizing an event or activity, the city would participate.
Councillor Rob Southcott said that listening to discussions over the years, he has found it to be a divisive issue, and consequently supports Skadsheim’s position.
Councillor Jim Palm said the correspondence from the monarchist league lays out in detail the organization’s expectations. Palm said he has great regard for history so that is why he would support the request.
Formosa said he received a very extensive package from the monarchist league. He has no problem with the observance but it is an onerous package with all of the particular things that need to be done.
“I’m at a loss here,” he said. “I don’t want to look like a chump, but at the same time, it seems like a lot of work. Maybe there’s something that we could do less onerous, but respectfully.”
Councillor CaroleAnn Leishman said she did not know of a monarchist group in Powell River that could take the lead.
Marie Claxton, city clerk, said staff could contact other municipalities and Powell River Regional District to determine if they are observing the milestone. If it’s council’s wish the city could advise the Royal Canadian Legion that the information had been received.
The committee carried a motion to pass the information to the Legion.
