Dedication Ceremony of The Queen's Platinum Jubilee Gardens

His Honour Lieutenant Governor Russ Mirasty hosted the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Gardens Dedication Ceremony in the beautiful Edwardian Gardens on the northwest lawn of Saskatchewan Government House on Tuesday, July 19, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. Considering Her Majesty’s well-known affinity for flowers and gardens, it seems especially appropriate to recognize her Platinum Jubilee with the creation of celebratory gardens. Invited guests included members of the Monarchist League of Canada, the Government House Historical Society, and the United Empire Loyalists.

Accompanied by Her Honour Donna Mirasty, His Honour ceremonially planted a tobacco plant and welcomed all in attendance to the newly opened gardens. The Lieutenant Governor thanked everyone who helped develop the garden, including the Provincial Capital Commission (PCC) staff and members of the Heritage Conservation Branch of the Ministry of Parks, Culture and Sport for creating a living tribute to Her Majesty. His Honour particularly recognized Heather Salloum who, before recently retiring, was the Private Secretary to the Lieutenant Governors of Saskatchewan for 18 years, and was instrumental in the national Platinum Jubilee Garden initiative. His Honour also acknowledged PCC Horticulture Supervisor Steven Weir for the care taken in designing the garden. The garden’s design celebrates Her Majesty’s platinum jubilee by placing Queen Elizabeth roses in the centre; emphasizes the ties between the Crown and Indigenous peoples by including tobacco plants, and honours Saskatchewan with plants native to our province.

Her Majesty acceded to the throne seventy years ago on February 6th, 1952. On February 6th of this year, Her Majesty became the first British Monarch to serve seventy years. One day later, Lieutenant Governor Russ Mirasty and his Canadian Vice-Regal colleagues announced plans for thirteen Platinum Jubilee Gardens – one in each province and territory. These gardens honour our Sovereign, and recognize the sacred relationship between the Crown and Indigenous Peoples through the treaties. Vice-Regal Offices received tobacco seeds from plants grown for The Chapel Royal at Massey College in Toronto. That chapel received the rare honour of being designated a “Chapel Royal” in 2017 in recognition of Canada’s sesquicentennial and the special relationship between Massey College and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation.

After the short outdoor dedication ceremony of the new Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Gardens, guests enjoyed the chance to visit at a tea in the Henry Newlands Ballroom.