The home screen is the Display Documents tab. To perform a search, click on either
the Simple Search or the Advanced Search tab.
Displaying and Downloading Documents without a
Search
Displaying documents
Select the document type from the
Bills and Amendments or
Assembly Documents and Records link on the main Legislative Assembly
website (https://www.assembly.ab.ca). For
example:
- www.assembly.ab.ca > Assembly Documents and Records > Alberta Hansard
- www.assembly.ab.ca > Bills and Amendments > Bills
Select the year from the drop-down list. The default is the current session.

Click on
. Links to
PDF and/or HTML versions are displayed in numerical or chronological order.
Click on the required document. For PDFs you will need
Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Note: Hansard afternoon and evening transcripts for the same day are in
separate documents.
Downloading PDFs
- To save the entire document, select the Save icon or File/Save As and follow the
prompts.
- To copy a portion of the text:
- Highlight the required text
- Press Ctrl + C (Windows), Command-C (Mac OS), or Edit/Copy to copy
- Press Ctrl + V (Windows), Command-V (Mac OS), or Edit/Paste to paste
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Simple Searches
Select the sort order from the drop-down list.

Select the year from the drop-down list.

Type search words or phrases. The search is not case sensitive. For example:
- kananaskis
- computer*
- crop insurance
- traffic safety

Click on
to start.
A search for the term computer will also locate computers. A search
of computer* will return the term computers but also computerized,
computerization, and so on (see Search Tips).
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Advanced Searches
Overview
Select the sort order from the drop-down list.

Select the year from the drop-down list.

Search terms entered in the top box are transferred to the "Query so far is"
box when an option is selected. This helps you keep track of the search string being
built.

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Search symbols and options
"AND which ALSO contain..."
Use this to find documents containing all keywords or phrases.
- In the top box type the first search term.
- Click on
or "AND which ALSO contain..."
- In the top box (now empty) type the second search term.
- Repeat for as many terms as necessary.
- Click on
to start.
Example:
- Type: traffic safety
- Click on:
or "AND which ALSO contain..."
- Type: inspection
- Click on:

This will find documents that contain both traffic safety and inspection.
However, the two terms might be unrelated. See also
or "Within a PARAGRAPH of..."
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"OR which contain..."
Use this to find one or more search terms anywhere a document. It is useful for
topics referred to using a variety of terms, such as AEUB / Alberta Energy and Utilities
Board or export highway / north-south highway / free trade highway.
- In the top box type the first search term.
- Click on
or "OR which contain..."
- In the top box (now empty) type the second search term.
- Repeat for as many words as necessary.
- Click on
.
Example:
- Type: physician
- Click on:
or "OR which contain..."
- Type: doctor
- Click on:
or "OR which contain..."
- Type: medical profession
- Click on:

This search will return documents that contain one or more of the terms physician,
doctor, or medical profession.
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"BUT do NOT contain..."
Use this to find documents containing one search term but not a second.
- Type the first search term in the top box.
- Click on
or "BUT do NOT contain..."
- In the top box (now empty) type the second search term.
- Click on
.
Example:
- Type: health
- Click on:
or "BUT do NOT contain..."
- Type: animal
- Click on:

This will return documents with the term health but not animal.
Note: This search can eliminate unwanted documents such as bills related
to health but not animal health. It might also eliminate some useful ones. For example,
housing and low-income housing might both be discussed in one Hansard document.
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"Within a PARAGRAPH of..."
Use this to locate keywords or phrases either in the same paragraph or within one
paragraph of each other in any order. Terms that are close to one another are more
likely to be related.
- Type the first search term in the top box.
- Click on:
or "Within a PARAGRAPH of..."
- In the top box (now empty) type the second search term.
- Repeat for as many words as necessary.
- Click on
.
Example:
- Type: traffic safety
- Click on:
or "Within a PARAGRAPH of..."
- Type: stelmach
- Click on:

This will find instances more likely to relate to both Mr. Stelmach and traffic
safety (such as a tabling or speech in the Legislature) than if AND had been used.
Note: In these databases a paragraph can be as short as one line of text.
If
does not give results, try "Within a FEW paragraphs of..." (see next section).
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"Within a FEW paragraphs of..."
Use this when "Within a PARAGRAPH of..." does not give results and other
searches return too many hits.
- Type the first search term in the top box.
- Staying in the top box, type "[space]\number of paragraphs\[space]". Then
type the second search term.
- Click on
.
Example:
- In the top box type: traffic safety \4\ stelmach
- Click on:

This will find the term traffic safety within four paragraphs either side
of Mr. Stelmach.
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"In the SAME PARAGRAPH as..."
Use this to find documents with two or more search terms in the same paragraph.
This is particularly useful when the word order of the phrase is uncertain. For
example, a paragraph with information on environmental impact assessments might
contain all three words but not the exact phrase.
- Type the first search term in the top box.
- Click on
or "In the same PARAGRAPH as..."
- In the top box (now empty) type the second search term.
- Repeat for as many terms as necessary.
- Click on
.
Example:
- Type: traffic safety
- Click on:
or "In the same PARAGRAPH as..."
- Type: regulation
- Click on:
or "In the same PARAGRAPH as..."
- Type: amend*
- Click on:

The asterisk (*) will find amend, amends, amending, and amendment. This search will
locate paragraphs containing the terms traffic safety, regulations,
and amendments.
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"Followed anywhere by..."
This search returns documents in which one term is followed by a second term. Use
if "Within a FEW paragraphs of..." does not retrieve the desired documents.
- Type the first search term in the top box.
- Click on
or "Followed anywhere by..."
- In the top box (now empty) type the second search term.
- Click on
.
Example:
- Type: third reading
- Click on:
or "Followed anywhere by..."
- Type: real estate
- Click on:

When used to search Hansard transcripts, this search will find a bill with
the words real estate in its title that went through third reading. It
might also return documents that are not relevant.
In the Hansard database it can be used in conjunction with the "head:"
field (see Hansard searches, head field).
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"Within 10 WORDS of..."
This search is more specific than "In the SAME paragraph as..."
- Type the first search term in the top box.
- Click on
or "Within 10 WORDS of..."
- In the top box (now empty) type the second search term.
- Repeat as necessary.
- Click on
when all terms have been entered.
Example:
- Type: environment*
- Click on:
or "Within 10 WORDS of..."
- Type: impact
- Click on:
or "Within 10 WORDS of..."
- Type: assess*
- Click on:

This search will return the phrases assessment of environmental impacts,
environmental impact assessment, assessing impacts on the environment,
and so on.

You can narrow or broaden the search by changing the number in the query box manually:

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Search Results – Simple and Advanced Searches
Displaying and downloading search results
- If a search returns one document, only the HTML version is displayed. Select Download
to view the PDF.
- If the search returns more than one result, links to both the HTML and the PDF versions
are displayed. The third column indicates the number of hits (citations).
Searching PDFs
- PDFs are searchable. Type the search term in the box containing the word "Find"
on the right of the tool bar. Hit the return key, or click on the down arrow to
the right of the box and select "Find Next in Current PDF."
- Repeat until you find the citation you are looking for.
- Hansard transcripts of Assembly debates contain searchable
headings.
Searching HTML documents
The top bar has the following options:

-
First Hit displays the first occurrence of the search term.
-
Back moves the cursor to the previous document.
-
Next advances the cursor to the next document.
-
Download displays the PDF.
-
Search Results returns you to the search results.
-
New Search returns you to the search screen.
Citations display the following navigation symbols.
-
moves the cursor to the next occurrence of the search term either within the document
or in the next document (mouse over to see which applies).
-
moves the cursor to the previous occurrence of the search term within the document
or in the previous document (mouse over to see which applies).
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Search Tips – Simple and Advanced Searches
Keyword searches
- Plurals: A basic search will also return the regular plural form of the word (formed
by adding s).
- Substitutions (wild cards): Asterisk (*) will return the term entered plus variations.
Examples:
- Type: forest
- Returns: forest and forests
- Type: forest*
- Returns: forest, forests, foresters, forestry, and so on
- Numbers and single letters are searchable.
Example: 4-H clubs
For tips specific to Assembly and committee transcripts, see the section on
Hansard documents.
Nonsearchable words
- Reserved symbols (Boolean operators): AND, OR, TO, BUT, NOT
- Short, common words: an, are, as, had, has, it’s, its, I’ve, the, was,
were
Example: "Kilroy was here" will be searched as "kilroy" within
two words of "here."
Phrase searches
- You can enter phrases with or without signs such as hyphens or slashes. Examples:
- low-income or low income
- federal/provincial or federal provincial
- If a simple search returns no results, try an advanced search.
Date searches
To search for references to a particular date (e.g., the September 5th Accord) or
to search for a particular sitting date (especially in previous years), in the Simple
Search or Advanced Search tab,
- Type the month and day in ordinary text.
- Click on
.
Example:
- Type: september 5
- Click on:

This will find documents dated September 5 but also those where that date was mentioned
in the text.
Query within query
(Restricting a subsequent search to the previous search results)
Narrowing a search can eliminate irrelevant documents and make searching more precise.
Enter the search terms for the second and any subsequent search in the "Search
within results" box at the end of the Search Results screen.

The Advanced Search options must be typed as part of the search string as follows:
Option
|
Search Symbol
|
AND which ALSO contain...
|
AND
|
OR which contain...
|
OR
|
BUT do NOT contain...
|
NOT
|
Within a paragraph of...
|
\\
|
In the same paragraph as...
|
//
|
Within 10 words of...
|
/10/
|
Followed anywhere by...
|
...
|
Example:
To find where Mr. Cenaiko spoke on a private member's motion about terrorism in
a Hansard transcript, first search for Hansard documents containing
the text "Motions Other than Government Motions."
- In the top box type: motions other than government motions
- Click on:

Then search only those documents. Search for the name Cenaiko within a paragraph
of words beginning with "terror" (such as terrorist, terrorists, terrorism).
If "Within a paragraph of..." does not yield results, try a broader search;
for example, within three paragraphs of the name.
- In the "Search within results" box at the end of the Search Results screen,
type: cenaiko: \3\ terror*
- Click on:

You can also search for "Motions Other Than Government Motions" in a Hansard
document heading (see Hansard documents).
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Hansard Documents (Assembly Proceedings, Committee
Transcripts, and Indexes)
Members’ speeches
A member's name followed by a colon (:) will find only those places where that member
is actually speaking.
Example: rodney:
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Using the head field
Headings for House business are designated as the field "head:". You can
search for just that field, ignoring the rest of the text.
In most cases you can use the Simple Search screen. See below for cases where Advanced
Search is required. Always use Advanced Search if you are combining search terms.
When searching for a heading, you need to type enough text to distinguish it from
other headings. Here is a list of official and informal names for headings along
with the search terms needed.
Head
|
Search Term
|
Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund (used until 1994)
|
heritage in head:
|
Bills, Government (formal heading is Government Bills and Orders)
|
government bills in head: BUT NOT public bills in head: (use Advanced Search)
|
Bills, Introduction of (formal heading is Introduction of Bills)
|
introduction of bills in head:
|
Bills, Private (formal heading is Private Bills)
|
private bills in head:
|
Bills, Private members' (formal heading is Public Bills and Orders Other Than Government
Bills and Orders)
|
public bills in head:
|
Budget Address
|
budget in head:
|
Capital Fund Estimates (used until 1993)
|
capital fund in head:
|
Committee of Supply
|
supply in head:
|
Committee of the Whole
|
whole in head:
|
Committees, Presenting reports by (formal heading is Presenting Reports by Standing
and Special Committees)
|
presenting reports in head:
|
Consideration of Her/His Honour the Lieutenant Governor's Speech
|
honour in head:
|
Deputy Chair of Committees, Election of (formal heading is Election of Deputy Chair
of Committees)
|
deputy chair in head:
|
Deputy Speaker and Chair of Committees, Election of (formal heading is Election
of Deputy Speaker and Chair of Committees)
|
deputy speaker in head:
|
Election of (a) Speaker
|
election in head: AND speaker in head: (use Advanced Search)
|
Emergency Debate
|
emergency in head:
|
Estimates
|
estimates in head:
|
First reading of Bills (formal heading is Introduction of Bills)
|
introduction of bills in head:
|
Government Bills and Orders
|
government bills in head: BUT NOT public bills in head: (use Advanced Search)
|
Government Motions
|
government motions in head:
|
Government Motions, Motions Other than (official heading is Motions Other than Government
Motions)
|
motions other than in head:
|
Introduction of Bills
|
introduction of bills in head:
|
Introduction of Guests (used to introduce school groups and other guests)
|
guests in head:
|
Introduction of Special Guests (used to introduce school groups and other guests;
used until 1993)
|
special guests in head:
|
Introduction of Visitors (used to introduce visiting parliamentarians, diplomats,
et cetera)
|
visitors in head:
|
Lottery Fund Estimates
|
lottery in head:
|
Main Estimates
|
main in head:
|
Members' Statements
|
members in head:
|
Ministerial Statements
|
ministerial in head:
|
Motions for Returns
|
motions for returns in head:
|
Motions Other than Government Motions
|
motions other than in head:
|
Motions under Standing Order 40 (used until 2006)
|
standing order in head:
|
Notices of Motions
|
notices in head:
|
Oral Question Period
|
oral in head:
|
Orders of the Day
|
day in head:
|
Prayers
|
prayers in head:
|
Presenting Petitions
|
petitions in head:
|
Presenting Reports by Standing and Special Committees
|
presenting reports in head:
|
Private Bills
|
private bills in head:
|
Private members' Bills (Official heading is Public Bills and Orders Other Than Government
Bills and Orders)
|
public bills in head:
|
Private members' motions (Official heading is Motions Other than Government Motions)
|
motions other than in head:
|
Privilege
|
privilege in head:
|
Projected Government Business
|
projected in head:
|
Public Bills and Orders Other Than Government Bills and Orders
|
public bills in head:
|
Question Period (official heading is Oral Question Period)
|
oral in head:
|
Questions, Written (official heading is Written Questions)
|
written in head:
|
Recognitions (used until 2005)
|
recognitions in head:
|
Reports, Tabling (official heading is Tabling Returns and Reports)
|
tabling in head:
|
Reports by committees, Presenting (official heading is Presenting Reports by Standing
and Special Committees)
|
presenting reports in head:
|
Request for Emergency Debate
|
request in head:
|
Returns, Motions for (official heading is Motions for Returns)
|
motions for returns in head:
|
Returns, Tabling (official heading is Tabling Returns and Reports)
|
tabling in head:
|
Royal Assent
|
royal in head:
|
Second Reading
|
second in head:
|
Speaker, Election of (official heading is Election of Speaker)
|
election of speaker in head:
|
Special Guests, Introduction of (official heading is Introduction of Special Guests;
used up until 1993)
|
special guests in head:
|
Speech from the Throne
|
throne in head:
|
Speech from the Throne debate (official heading is Consideration of Her Honour the
Lieutenant Governor's Speech)
|
honour in head:
|
Statement by the Speaker
|
statement by in head:
|
Supplementary Estimates
|
supplementary in head:
|
Supply committee (official heading is Committee of Supply)
|
supply in head:
|
Tabling Returns and Reports
|
tabling in head:
|
Tablings to the Clerk (used since 2003)
|
tablings in head: (or to avoid possible confusion: clerk in head:)
|
Third Reading
|
third in head:
|
Visitors, Introduction of (official heading is Introduction of Visitors)
|
visitors in head:
|
Written Questions
|
written in head:
|
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Indexes
Indexes for Hansard and all standing and special committee meeting transcripts
are particularly useful when a search returns many irrelevant entries or search
terms contain common words with multiple meanings.
For example, the index has one heading for "privilege" whereas a keyword
search would find the word in all contexts (e.g., "Mr. Speaker, it is a privilege
to rise ...").
Example:
- In the index do an Adobe Acrobat search for the word privilege.
- Note the page numbers under that heading.
- Go to the page number directory at the beginning of that index, find the transcripts
containing the first page number, and click on the link to that issue.
- Do an Adobe Acrobat search for the page number within that
transcript and locate the point of privilege. (Do not search the word privilege
as this might give you more occurrences of that word than you want.)
- Repeat for each page number.
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Sample searches
Throne speeches
To find all throne speeches:
- Select: All years option
- Type: throne in head:
- Click on:

Then click on the dates you wish to see. In most years there is one Speech from
the Throne. In an elect year there might be two.
Members’ statements
To find a member's statement made by Mr. Stelmach:
- Type: members' statements in head:
- Click on:
or "Followed anywhere by..."
- Type: stelmach:
- Click on:

"Followed anywhere by..." was used because on a given day several members
might make members’ statements, so the name of the member you are searching
for might be far from the heading. The search may also produce documents that are
not relevant. View all the retrieved documents to find the one you want.
Divisions (recorded votes)
In a division members’ names are printed in Hansard as voting either
"For the motion" or "Against the motion." Divisions are always
preceded by the phrase: "The division bell was rung at ..."
To find how Mr. Abbott voted in divisions:
- Type: division bell
- Click on:
or "Followed anywhere by..."
- Type: abbott [with no colon]
- Click on:

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