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Elizabeth's 1957 address to Canadians

On Feb. 6, 1952, Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor was proclaimed Queen of Canada. Her spectacular coronation in Westminster Abbey the following year was heard by millions on the radio and was the first ever to be televised. When she visited Canada in 1951, 1957, 1959 and 1964, Elizabeth left an indelible mark on Canadians coast to coast.

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Four years after her coronation, Elizabeth finally comes to Canada as Queen. Staying only four days, she travels to Ottawa, Ont. and Hull, Que. to open the first session of the 23rd Parliament. It is the first time Canada's Parliament has been opened by the sovereign in person.
From the Governor General's house in Ottawa, the Queen of Canada addresses the children of "a wonderful and exhilarating country." She praises Canada's population growth and says "the strength of the Canadian currency is the admiration of other nations."

1957 was the best year in history for the Canadian dollar. In August of that year, at $1.06 US, it was actually worth more than the U.S. dollar.
In 1957 Canada's population was 16,677,000, and the Canadian birth rate stood at 28 per 1,000 - one of the highest in the world. After 1957 the birth rate began to decline.

In this photo, Queen Elizabeth strolls in the gardens at Rideau Hall, accompanied by His Excellency the Governor General and H.R.H. Prince Philip. Duff, a golden retriever, is carrying her handbag.

Medium: Radio
Program: CBC Radio Special
Broadcast Date: Oct. 13, 1957
Guest(s): Queen Elizabeth
Duration: 11:09
Photo: Howe/National Film Board of Canada. National Archives of Canada PA-168607

Last updated: June 4, 2012

Page consulted on October 9, 2014

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