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Your Majesty and your Royal Highness; Members of the Royal Household; Your Honours; Chief Justice of Alberta and Mr. Fraser; Former Lieutenant Governor; Former premiers and spouses; Honourable Speaker and Ms. White; Honourable ministers and Members of the Legislative Assembly; distinguished guests:

It is my very great privilege, on behalf of the Government of Alberta and all Albertans, to welcome Her Majesty The Queen and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh to Alberta.

I also welcome the many special guests who have joined us this evening. They include a senior and a young person from every constituency in the northern half of the province, who are guests of their MLAs.

Their presence here tonight is in recognition of the contributions of those who helped build this province, and those who will continue that important work.

Albertans of all ages share the honour of welcoming Her Majesty to our province during this special year. We are especially fortunate to enjoy her presence on this day, when all Commonwealth countries celebrate her birth.

To mark Her Majesty's centennial visit to Alberta, I'm pleased to announce that the stretch of Highway Two between Edmonton and Calgary will be renamed in her honour.

This is the province's most-traveled road, and is the key artery in the renowned Edmonton-Calgary corridor.

Henceforth, it will be called the Queen Elizabeth II Highway.

I understand that this will be the first and only highway in Canada to be named for Her Majesty.

Also, I'm proud to note that at just over 260 kilometers, it will be the longest highway named after a member of the Royal Family in Canada. This just goes to show that we don't do things by half-measure in Alberta!

The newly named highway will be marked with a special plaque at each end.

This is the plaque that will mark the Edmonton side.

It will also feature unique highway trailblazer signs, which Her Majesty will be able to see along the highway on her way to the airport the day after tomorrow.

The new Queen Elizabeth II Highway will be a lasting reminder of Her Majesty's visit - one of the highlights of Alberta's centennial celebrations.

I thank you so much for being here tonight, and wish you all a pleasant evening and an exciting centennial year.