September 10, 2009 Day 111 Edmonton, AB
We had business to do in the morning, but we got to the Alberta Legislature Building in time for the 1:30 tour (every half-hour). Colleen was an excellent guide, and we were her only customers. We learned that Alberta became a province in 1905, and their first legislature was held in a curling rink, then in a school. It was designed in 1912, and finished in 1917. This is amazing because they imported 2,000 metric tons of marble from Quebec. It was the first building in Alberta with electricity. The fountain was installed in 1959 when Queen Elizabeth visited. Dean took a picture of the 5 palms up by the dome. The seedlings were sent by the state of California, probably as an invitation to come to our Olympics, and they are a thriving 7-meters tall. Alberta is named after Louise Caroline Alberta, Queen Victoria's fourth daughter who was married to the governor general (he represents the queen and acts as a check and balance). She never saw Alberta, and Lake Louise was also named after her.
We still don't understand all the intricacies of their system of governing. We have been told by educated Canadians that the governor-general is just a figurehead, but our guide told us that for a bill to be enacted it requires 4 readings, a positive vote, and the signature of the lieutenant general. If he says "no", it is not enacted. The premier is the head of the state government, equal to our governor, and the prime minister is equivalent to our president. Elections are held when they are "called", every 3-4 years, but they must be held every 5 years. There's a big brouhaha going on right now, and an election may be called. The Legislature meets at 1:30, Monday-Thursday, from mid-Oct. to early December, and from Feb. to June.
They have had some interesting prime ministers. "Bible Bill" Abrahart , an Albertan premier, had his own 4-hour Sunday religious radio show. He wanted for Alberta to print its own currency and supervise its own banks. Bill got mad at the lt. governor because he wouldn't sign the law since it was unconstitutional.
Bill shut off the electricity to the lt. governor's house, causing the pipes to freeze and sold off all the furnishings. The lt. governors for all provinces are chosen by the governor general in consultation with the premier. Women got the vote in 1916, while the U. S. woman didn't get that right until 1919. However, until 1925, women in Canada were considered chattel, but 5 women came into Alberta and forced the issue, carrying it all the way to London, where they prevailed and won "personhood", allowing for their election. They have had one woman premier.
One premier emphasized education, and to this day if a student has an 80% grade-point-average in 10th grade, he earns $400, in grade 11 he earns $800, and in grade 12, he can earn $1300, for a total of $2500 which can be used for college.
Dean got a call from Camp Care RV, who told him that his part was ready to be picked up, about 24 hours after being ordered.
We went to the West Edmonton Mall about 4:30. We wanted to see the penguins, seals, lizards, etc. in the Deep Cave exhibit, but the shows were over for the day, and the admission was $10 each. It seemed like a minimal experience with few exhibits, so we passed. Every Edmontonian says the zoo is really bad, even "am embarrassment", so we'll take a pass on that also. They have the eating areas well-organized. All the fast food is together, and the sit-down restaurants together. We ate at Jungle Jim's. I had a pineapple chicken wrap & sweet potato fries, and Dean had a hamburger & s.p. fries. With 2 root beers, the total was $27.15 CN. The movie, "All About Steve" cost $8.56 each. The theatre was nice and had 13 screens.
Overnighted at Glowing Embers RV Park
