The Alberta Legislature

An adventure through our provincial government

By Carter

The History of The The History of The LegislatureLegislature

The first official legislature The first official legislature was at McKay Avenue school. was at McKay Avenue school. This is a picture of the people This is a picture of the people involved with the first involved with the first legislative assembly. McKay legislative assembly. McKay Avenue school was named Avenue school was named after Dr. William Morrison after Dr. William Morrison MacKay. The reason the School MacKay. The reason the School is not spelled the same way as is not spelled the same way as his last name is because when his last name is because when they wrote it they made a they wrote it they made a mistake. You can’t change it mistake. You can’t change it because it’s etched in stone. because it’s etched in stone.

The beginning of the The beginning of the legislaturelegislature

• Alberta's legislature was finished Alberta's legislature was finished in 1912. It was made of marble, in 1912. It was made of marble, sandstone and concrete. some sandstone and concrete. some features include solid red features include solid red mahogany. The grounds are mahogany. The grounds are made up of paths and have made up of paths and have various plants and water various plants and water features. under the grounds there features. under the grounds there is a pedway.is a pedway.

• Our first premier, Alexander Our first premier, Alexander Rutherford, was part of the Rutherford, was part of the liberal party. The fact that one liberal party. The fact that one out of 10 adults who qualified to out of 10 adults who qualified to vote could not read or write was vote could not read or write was a big problem for the voting a big problem for the voting system. So they had to come up system. So they had to come up with something fast. They came with something fast. They came up with a colour coded system up with a colour coded system

The house in session The house in session The chamber is the most important room The chamber is the most important room

in the legislature. This is where a bill is in the legislature. This is where a bill is proposed and denied or it is passed. proposed and denied or it is passed.

The rules of the chamber were based on The rules of the chamber were based on British tradition. For example, when a new British tradition. For example, when a new speaker was voted in the premier and the speaker was voted in the premier and the leader of the opposition would drag the leader of the opposition would drag the speaker into the chair. This is because in speaker into the chair. This is because in old Britain if the king did not like a bill that old Britain if the king did not like a bill that was passed he would kill the speaker. So was passed he would kill the speaker. So if you could die doing this job you wouldn’t if you could die doing this job you wouldn’t want that job and you would run away.want that job and you would run away.

The original mace was made of plumbing The original mace was made of plumbing parts because of a rush to get a symbol of parts because of a rush to get a symbol of power. It was used for about 50 years . power. It was used for about 50 years . The new mace was made because it was The new mace was made because it was time for a new one. time for a new one.

The People involved with the The People involved with the legislaturelegislature

The speaker’s job is to keep order The speaker’s job is to keep order in the chamber. When the speaker in the chamber. When the speaker stands all must be silent. The stands all must be silent. The speaker also addresses the speaker also addresses the person whose turn it is to speak.person whose turn it is to speak.

The sergeant at arms’ role is to The sergeant at arms’ role is to keep order in the gallery and keep order in the gallery and enforce the speaker’s ruling in the enforce the speaker’s ruling in the chamber.chamber.

The government members’ job is The government members’ job is to back up the bill that they wish to back up the bill that they wish to be passed.to be passed.

The opposition members’ job is to The opposition members’ job is to state reasons against the bill that state reasons against the bill that they do not want passed. they do not want passed.

The Leftenant governor’s job is to The Leftenant governor’s job is to carry the word of the queen to the carry the word of the queen to the house. house.

Fun thingsFun thingsEven though the legislature is a Even though the legislature is a serious place there are also fun things serious place there are also fun things like looking at the Lego legislature, like looking at the Lego legislature, marvel at the water features and, in marvel at the water features and, in the summer, swim and wade in the the summer, swim and wade in the pool. pool. An interesting fact about the main An interesting fact about the main fountain is that an anemometer like fountain is that an anemometer like thing on top of the annex building thing on top of the annex building controls the height of the fountain .controls the height of the fountain .You can also take a free tour. The tour You can also take a free tour. The tour guides will show you the structure and guides will show you the structure and features of the legislature. There is features of the legislature. There is also the magic spot. Here you can also the magic spot. Here you can hear the fountain raining on your head. hear the fountain raining on your head. The magic spot was discovered by the The magic spot was discovered by the light above it. light above it. There is a time capsule that lies in There is a time capsule that lies in front of a bronze statue. It is to be front of a bronze statue. It is to be opened in 2091. opened in 2091.

The voting systemThe voting system The Voting system is vital to the The Voting system is vital to the

legislature. Without voting the legislature. Without voting the first premier, Alexander first premier, Alexander Rutherford, would not have been Rutherford, would not have been elected. Our System of voting elected. Our System of voting requires secrecy so no one would requires secrecy so no one would be swayed by other people. The be swayed by other people. The picture on the top left is picture on the top left is Mr.Westwater of the head Mr.Westwater of the head electoral office. He is great at electoral office. He is great at explaining the electoral process.explaining the electoral process.

The coat of armsThe coat of arms

Check out the coat of arms. It is Check out the coat of arms. It is one of the symbols of Alberta. one of the symbols of Alberta. The beaver [ As seen on the The beaver [ As seen on the top] is one of the national top] is one of the national emblems of Canada. The lion emblems of Canada. The lion represents the British Power. represents the British Power. The antelope [as seen on the The antelope [as seen on the right] is another symbol of a right] is another symbol of a fast growing nation. The flower fast growing nation. The flower

is theis the Alberta wild rose. This is Alberta wild rose. This is Alberta's official flower. Finally Alberta's official flower. Finally the Writing at the bottom is the Writing at the bottom is Latin for strong and free. Latin for strong and free.

The endThe end

Come check out the Come check out the legislature. And see what is legislature. And see what is going on. going on.

Make sure to go on the Make sure to go on the internet for more information. internet for more information.