Special Events

100^th Anniversary of the Medicine Hat Police Service

On February 17 Speaker Kowalski hosted a flag presentation ceremony in the Legislature Rotunda to commemorate the 100^th Anniversary of the Medicine Hat Police Service.

Association canadienne-française de l'Alberta

The Legislative Assembly of Alberta recognized the Association canadienne-française de l'Alberta by flying their flag in the Legislature Building Rotunda alongside the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie's flag at a ceremony on March 16.

Eid Al-Adha

A ceremony recognizing Eid Al-Adha, or the Festival of Sacrifice, was held in the Legislature Rotunda on March 30. For Muslims around the world the festival marks the end of the annual pilgrimage to Mecca.

Provincial Flags

On April 1 the flag of Nunavut joined the display of all Canadian provincial and territorial flags in the Chamber. That day Nunavut was created as Canada's third northern territory.

Mr. Speaker's Alberta Youth Parliament

The first annual Mr. Speaker's Alberta Youth Parliament was held April 15 and 16. Eighty-three grade 10 students representing each constituency and 15 social studies teachers from across Alberta came together to learn the parliamentary process by experiencing it for themselves. The Alberta-Northwest Territories Command of the Royal Canadian Legion sponsored the event and was instrumental in its tremendous success. The youth parliament received wide publicity and was broadcast live by Access Network.

Page Speech Competition

A speech competition for the page development program, sponsored by TransAlta, was held on May 6. This year's prizewinners were Daniel Novak, first place; Howard Yeung, second place; and Simone Godbout and Janine Melnichuk, who tied for third place. Mr. Novak was accorded the rare privilege of delivering his speech in the Chamber while the Assembly was in session.

Heritage Fairs

On May 14 and 15 more than 200 student heritage projects created by grades 4 to 9 students lined the Legislature pedway when the Assembly hosted the fourth annual Edmonton Regional Heritage Fair. The Alberta School Heritage Fairs Project is part of a national program initiated in 1993 by the Charles R. Bronfman Foundation. Students across the country participate in local Heritage Fairs, creating exhibits that tell a story about an event or a Canadian they find inspiring. All projects with a mark of 80 percent or better were entered in a draw for a chance to attend the National Fair on July 17, which was also held at the Alberta Legislature.

Canada Day

On July 1 the floor of the Legislature Chamber was open to visitors for the second year during annual Canada Day events on the grounds. Visitors to the Chamber were welcomed by the Clerk and tour guides dressed in parliamentary robes. The event drew more than 6,000 people to the building and grounds. The Legislature also hosted several families as part of a national Canada Day exchange program co-ordinated by the Canadian Capital Cities Organization (CCCO).

Poppy Presentation

On October 27 in the Legislature Rotunda the Alberta-Northwest Territories Command of the Royal Canadian Legion launched their annual campaign with a poppy presentation to His Honour the Honourable Lieutenant Governor H.A. "Bud" Olson; Mrs. Judy Gordan, Deputy Chairman of Committees, representing the Speaker; the Honourable David Hancock, Minister of Justice and Attorney General; Mrs. Nancy MacBeth, Leader of Her MajestyÕs Loyal Opposition; Dr. Raj Pannu, House Leader of the New Democrat Opposition; and other attending MLAs.

Remembrance Service

On November 9 Mrs. Judy Gordon, Deputy Chairman of Committees, represented the Speaker at the annual wreath laying ceremony in the Rotunda. Also in attendance were Premier Ralph Klein, Official Opposition Leader Nancy MacBeth, and New Democrat House Leader Raj Pannu. Representatives of the Canadian Corps of Commissionaires and the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees and a grade 6 student representing students throughout the province laid wreaths in memory of civil servants who gave their lives during World War I, World War II, and the Korean War.

418 (City of Edmonton) Squadron

Speaker Kowalski hosted a ceremony to commemorate the laying up of the 418 (City of Edmonton) Squadron standard in the Legislature Building Rotunda on November 13. The standard is positioned on the third floor west balustrade above the grand staircase.

Famous Five Portrait Unveiling

On December 1 Speaker Kowalski hosted the unveiling of portraits by Edmonton artist Alice Tyler of the women known as Alberta's Famous Five. In 1929 these women-Judge Emily Murphy, Louise McKinney, Irene Parlby, Nellie McClung, and Henrietta Edwards-successfully challenged a clause in the British North America Act that barred women from being appointed to the Senate of Canada; the case hinged on the legal definition of the word "person." The portraits, located on the fifth floor of the Legislature at the entrance to the east wing, were loaned to the Office of the Speaker by Ms Tyler and Mr. William Deacon. Premier Ralph Klein, Speaker Kowalski, Community Development Minister Stan Woloshyn, Official Opposition Leader Nancy MacBeth, and New Democrat Leader Pam Barrett spoke during the ceremony. Mary LeMessurier, one of the first five Alberta women to serve in cabinet, also attended.

Employee Recognition Dinner

Speaker Kowalski hosted the annual staff recognition dinner on December 2 to mark the past year's accomplishments. Staff from Alberta constituency offices also attended this year. Awards were presented to staff with five, 10, 15, and 20 years of service.

Christmas at the Legislature

On December 2 Premier Klein and Speaker Kowalski brought greetings to begin the Legislature Building's annual Christmas festivities. Visitors to the grounds that evening enjoyed hot chocolate and shortbread in the Legislature Rotunda after Premier Klein turned on the outdoor Christmas lights for the season. Between December 2 and December 23 more than 15,000 people visited the Rotunda, enjoyed choir performances during the evening, and looked at the gingerbread houses and student-decorated Christmas trees in the pedway.

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The electronic copy of the Legislative Assembly Office Annual Report is UNOFFICIAL and is provided for information purposes only. The printed version is the OFFICIAL Annual Report.