Starting with the local government, the MRC announced that its flags and the flags of its 18 municipalities would be lowered to half mast until the conclusion of the Queen’s funeral.

“On behalf of the MRC Council of Mayors and all of the MRC staff, I would like to express our heartfelt condolences to the members of the royal family,” said Jane Toller, warden of the MRC Pontiac, in a statement. “We also want to . . .

express our admiration and respect for her life of devoted service to the people of England and to the entire Commonwealth. She has been a true model of consistency and selfless service over the past seven decades. She has enjoyed a warm relationship with Canada and visited our country 22 times. I had the opportunity to see her in 1973 at Ontario Place in Toronto’’.

The Anglican Parish of West Quebec also announced its condolences. The monarch of England is the head of the Church of England and holds the title Defender of the Faith, meaning it is historically tied to the Anglican Church, though technically the title is separate from the Anglican Church of Canada.

“Queen Elizabeth was a great person of faith,” said Reverend Susan Lewis of the Anglican Parish of West Quebec. “She lived her faith, she ended her Christmas messages by talking about how important her faith was to her and she contributed to the life of the church.”

During the then-upcoming Sunday service Lewis said the church would ring the bell 96 times, representing each year of the Queen’s life.

Lewis said the Queen will be missed and added that the church is praying for King Charles III.

Another group with close symbolic ties to the monarchy, the Grand Orange Lodge of Canada, which has a chapter based in Shawville, also provided a statement on the Queen’s passing, written by Grand Master & Sovereign of the Grand Orange Lodge of Canada and Pontiac resident, Don Wilson.

“The Queen is dead. Long live the King. The members of Shawville Loyal Orange Lodge Number 27 are in mourning following the passing of our Queen Elizabeth II. We pass on our condolences to King Charles III and the royal family in this time of loss and wish all Canadians do likewise. We lived in a remarkable time, having such a strong and dedicated monarch who was our Queen for 70 years and 214 days. Her love for Canada was well known. If you pass by our hall at 114 Centre Street in Shawville, you will see we have lowered the Union Jack to half mast in respect for her majesty. We the members of the Loyal Orange Lodge Number 27, pledge allegiance to King Charles III.”

The Grand Orange Lodge of Canada has its origins in the English Glorious Revolution in 1688 which saw the overthrow of the last Catholic monarch of England, though it is not directly associated with the British Crown. The lodge will hold a private ceremony pledging loyalty to King Charles III in the coming days.

The Shawville Orange Lodge was founded in 1843 and is approaching its 180th anniversary next year.

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