The Alberta Legislature

Most of us know that politicians meet in the Chamber for question period, but what else goes on in the building? Actually, hundreds of people work year-round in the Legislature Building in Edmonton. Cabinet ministers discuss policy in Executive Council chambers and answer calls and letters from the public. All Members of the Legislative Assembly have offices in the building or Annex where they meet with their constituents, study issues, and work with other MLAs.

Under the Speaker's direction, the Legislative Assembly Office provides important services to MLAs to help them fulfill their duties. The Legislature Library, one of Canada's best parliamentary libraries, has an extensive collection for both MLAs and the public. Hansard staff produce the official record of Assembly debates, which is available to all of us within hours of the debates themselves. In addition, specialists in parliamentary procedure, security, administration, computers, and personnel provide invaluable help to MLAs, as do the MLAs' own researchers and office staff.

A powerful tradition holds that parliament cannot sit without a Mace, and in 1906 the First Legislature had to get one in a hurry. No time for gold, silver, and jewels; Alberta's first Mace was fashioned in a few weeks' time from plumbing pipe, shaving mug, handles and scraps of wood painted gold.

The Assembly used it for 50 years. In 1956, the union of provincial employees gave the province a new Mace made of 200 ounces of silver overlaid with gold and engraved with Alberta's emblems.