Historical Chronicle by Carl Gaudreault

Chronic

2022 marks the Platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. On February 6, 1952, Elizabeth ascended the throne after the sudden death of her father, King George VI. As Canada is a member of the Commonwealth, the Queen has visited Canada 22 times since her coronation.

But why talk about Queen Elizabeth II’s jubilee in a historical column in a regional weekly? In the 24 June 1959 issue of Le Réveil, the headline on the first page reads: “The Queen is welcomed by our authorities”. Yes, we were treated to a visit from His Royal Highness to Saguenay territory on Monday, June 22, 1959.

She’s just passing…

Indeed, as Gilbert Bécaud’s song says, covered by Fernand Gignac: “I’m just passing”. That’s what Queen Elizabeth did. She will be in Saguenay for only 4 hours 30 minutes during her major Canadian tour, which will take place from June 18 to August 1, 1959. The purpose of the visit was to tour the provinces and territories and to inaugurate the Saint Lawrence River.

But back to his visit to Saguenay country. Like all great personalities, his program is planned to the minute. At 14:30 the Britannia docked at Port-Alfred. The Queen greets a number of dignitaries including the Honorable Antonio Talbot and his wife. At 2:45 p.m. the royal procession made its way to Chicoutimi for a solemn ceremony at 3:30 p.m. They were presented to the mayors of the main cities of the upper Saguenay, including the mayor of Arvida, Georges Hébert, the mayor of Kénogami, JO Bradet and the Mayor of Jonquière, Dr. Henri Vaillancourt, commissioned to present the Queen with a painting by René Richard depicting the Saguenay fjord. 3.45 p.m., the procession sets off again towards Arvida.

Arvida, city of aluminum, the purpose of the royal visit.

The reason for the Sovereign’s visit to Saguenay was to tour Alcan’s facilities. Once she arrives at the Arvida plant at 4:15 p.m., she meets the workers and guides the facilities through their director, DH Ferguson. After a 30-minute visit, the Queen heads to the famous Saguenay Inn, the Manoir du Saguenay.

Contrary to legend, Queen Elizabeth will not be staying at the sumptuous Hôtel d’Arvida, she will only be there to refresh herself and lightly fortify herself. He may have been served tea accompanied by small English sandwiches (with pickles) and light “cakes”.

At 5:45 p.m. it is already time to return to Bagotville. The procession heads towards Kénogami and Jonquière via Fortier, Saint-Louis, Sainte-Thérèse, Montfort and Centenaire Boulevard, now Harvey Boulevard, towards Port-Alfred with a stop at the village of Base de Bagotville. . 7:00 p.m.: The Queen returns to her Royal Ship to continue her tour of Canada.

What will stay with us from his visit is a sense of pride in the region that will prove to the rest of the province the importance of our industrial towns in Saguenéennes.

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