Where's Democracy?

Wrapping the West in Winnipeg

2010-03-01T23:29:00.000-08:00

Arriving in Winnipeg, the Mace was happy to emerge safe and sound once again from its modest yet comfortable travel case.

...And quickly went about scoping the surroundings. For the first hop of the journey, it got to travel in automotive style, nestled up to the warmth of the car's heater. "A welcome bit of warmth," said the mace, "It gets so a parliamentary employee like me can forget that there's a big, wide, c-c-cold country out there when we're bundled up all cozy in the warm halls of the Commons."

First off was meeting its hosts for the Winnipeg trip, Dave and Shannon. "We've got a heck of a tour in store for you" said Shannon. "I hope you don't get tired easily." "Luckily, I have no feet," said the mace "so you'll be doing the legwork on this visit. Let's do it!"

First stop was a visit to the future site of the Canadian Human Rights Museum. A fitting monument in the home of Nellie McClung, champion of equal rights for women; and the city that saw the 1919 General Strike, in which the whole city went on strike. It became the platform for future labour reforms and a foundation for the democratic voice of Canadians. "I can relate," said the Mace "technically, I'm built to strike as well, but not in that way."

After that, was a visit to two monuments to Louis Riel, Canadian Folk Hero, Canadian politician, a founder of the province of Manitoba, and leader of the Métis people. "Ah, we saw a monument to M. Riel in Regina as well," noted the Mace. "So far, I've seen 3 monuments to Riel and no monuments to the MP who asserts he was a traitor. Funny that. Hey, cool sculpture!"

Given that they were nearby, the Mace asked if it might be possible to pop by and pay a friendly Parliamentary visit to MP Steven Fletcher. They did stop in, but MP Fletcher wasn't around at the time. "He's probably out getting things done somewhere else," said the Mace. "Can we go and see the big one now? The Legislature?" The mace almost drooled in anticipation. Except it had no saliva glands or mouth to drool from. So it didn't.

And before you could say 'Would like some democracy with that?', they were approaching the seat of legislative authority and participatory democracy in Manitoba. "And some pretty decent architecture to boot!" added the Mace. "You haven't seen the half of it," replied the guides.

Inside was even more impressive. Not only was the legislature open and the lights on, they even had a large monument inside to the processes that go on in such a place of learned debate. "That's the biggest bull I've ever seen!" exclaimed the Mace. Its guides chuckled. "It's not a bull dear, it's a buffalo." "Whoops!" blushed the Mace, "Sorry. You could see how I might become a bit confused on that." They grabbed a few snaps of the admittedly beautiful legislature for the Mace's photo album before heading out once again. "Not long before I have to be back in Ottawa," said the Mace "I'd better head out soon." "Yes, we understand," replied its guides, "but we thought we'd take you for a nice meal before you go along ..."

And so they headed to the hands down best Ukrainian restaurant in the city and tucked into a nice big plate of Perogies, Holupshi, Cole slaw, and borscht soup. "Delicious! And by the way, I would like some democracy with that. Cheque please!"

And thanking its guides (and promising them that the rest of the day's photos would be posted on its Facebook page), the Mace was on to the penultimate stop on its journey - Guelph Ontario, for a whirlwind tour on the way to Ottawa for back to work day!

Regina - A basketful of good reasons to show up to work.

2010-03-01T21:25:00.000-08:00

Next on the Mace's itinerary was Regina, Saskatchewan!

Hosted by a gracious group of gentlefolk who went by the name of CAPP Regina, the Mace first posed for a glamour shot, framed by the city's famous twin towers. From there, the Mace's hosts took it on the grand walking tour of the city.

As they walked down toward Victoria Park, they passed in front of a memorial for the trial of Louis Riel, regarded as Canada's most controversial father of Confederation. It seemed a certain MP had been making some unkind remarks of late about the man who brought Manitoba into Confederation. "Funny," thought the Mace "That particular MP waxed eloquent about the Orange Revolution in the Ukraine, yet saw fit to call Riel's civil disobedience villainy. I guess the Devil's in the details."

Next up was a group photo with its hosts in front of the city's monument to those who died in the Great War. It was a fitting gesture, as Canada's final veteran of that war had died only 3 days earlier. With fitting Canadian modesty the veteran, John Babcock, asked not to be given a state funeral, saying "I just happened to be at a certain place at certain time".

Next, they moved on to the memorial from other of Canada's conflicts. One of its guides held the Mace in honour of the WWII and Korean Wars, and Peacetime Operations soldiers from Regina killed in action. "So many laid down their lives for me," said the Mace. "Makes me think that maybe Parliament, messy an institution as it is, really is worth all the trouble. After all, showing up for work is a far easier job than these folks had."

Moving on, they happened across an old friend. "Sir John A! What are you doing here? Didn't I just see you in Charlottetown?" Sir John had no comment, choosing instead to retain his legendary composure whilst posing for a photo with the group. What a guy!" said the Mace "but he's still looking a bit stern about the current state of things. Worry not, Sir John. We'll be back to work soon!"

On their trek continued until they passed by Her Majesty, Queen Elisabeth II. The Mace was ecstatic. "Being that my existence is in her service, it's most appropriate that I get a shot of this for my photo album." While being held up next to HRH, the Mace asked her a few questions on her opinions about the current prorogation. Following her role as a constitutional monarch, she opted for silent neutrality on the subject.

As the tour wrapped up, the Mace's guides left the best for last - the Saskatchewan Legislative and Executive Building, seat of democracy for the province. "Things seem to check out here all right. Let's call it a day." And with that, the Mace's gracious hosts took it on for a bit of Saskatchewanian hospitality before the next leg of its journey.

"It's just not a going away party without a pint of the local stout and some snowshoeing," insisted the hosts, "We'll post some more pictures on the CAPP Regina Facebook page for you to remember the fun by." "Works for me," replied the Mace. And a fine time was had by all.

And from there, it was a short hop skip and a jump to Winnipeg, Manitoba!

Yoo-hoo, Mister Prime Minister! Anyone Home?

2010-02-23T05:00:00.000-08:00

Calgary. The great West and new power base for things governmental in Canadian politics.

The province that is home to Prime Minister Stephen Harper and which voted in the last election to elect MPs from the Conservative Party of Canada in every riding save one. The Mace decided it should proceed directly to the city's power hub:

What? It's the Flames' home turf!

Taking a stroll from there, the Mace and its guide came across a mall complex that had a familiar name on the sign out front. Given the fact that the Mace was in town anyway, it figured it would only be proper form to pop up and give the PM a visit.

The Mace's excitement grew as it walked the stairs up to the constituency office. "Maybe this is where Prime Minister Harper keeps the country's democracy when he's not using it!" it mused. "I can't wait to knock on the door and see Mister Harper. Won't he be surprised to see me!" It turned out he wasn't there. "That's odd," said the Mace, "you'd think if he wasn't hard at work in the Commons, he'd be hard at work here for his constituents."

With that out of the way, it was time for a little sightseeing. "Behold!" said the guide, "The Calgary Tower! It looks like your big brother." "It's got a few tonnes on me" said the Mace. "How about these gates in front of us here. What does 'Citius, Altuis, Fortius' mean?" Its guide answered, "Aha, that's the Olympic motto - Swifter, Higher, Stronger. This is Olympic Plaza, built for the 1988 Winter Games." "Winter Olympics," mused the Mace "well, at least you've got snow."

Next, it was on to the steps of City Hall to check out the democratic action in this fair municipality. "They must have some democracy kicking around here" said the Mace, "I mean, just look at the size of this clock tower. Places with democracy always have clock towers, right? And it's made of stone!"

Speaking of which, time was a-ticking for the Mace. It needed to hurry up in order to arrive in Ottawa for back-to-work day. So, back in the box and off to Regina, Saskatchewan it went!

Confederation for the Nation

2010-02-21T16:58:00.000-08:00

From Fredericton, it was time for the bottom half of the Mace to visit the place where it all began, the birthplace of Confederation, Charlottetown Prince Edward Island! "Ah, Charlottetown,"thought the Mace, "With its pastoral settings and green fields, warm waters and cottage country. I can't wait to get out and about!"

"Oh, right. Winter."

After a brief look around, the Mace asked its host if they could go somewhere a bit more sheltered. "Perhaps the city center, where we can get an up-close look at the birthplace of the Dominion of Canada..." The mace eyed its host's dog uneasily. "And where there's maybe a fire hydrant around?"

But before they got to the main attraction, they stopped at the monument to workers killed or injured in Canadian Society. A moment of silence was observed to remember those who toil across the country to make it everything that it is. "Can't say I've seen a lot of dangerous conditions where I work," said the Mace, "I'm lucky."

Then it was on to the PEI Legislature, the province's center of democratic debate and reason. "So, are they on vacation here as well?" asked the Mace. "Maybe I can see my Provincial counterpart if it's not busy." "No, sorry," said the guide. "They're actually working here."

"Hey, hey! I know this guy! Sir John A. Prime Minister Numero Uno. The guy who started it all. Did you know he was a Conservative?" "Technically," said the guide, "but it was a very different sort of Conservative Party than we have these days." "He's looking a little cold" said the Mace, "Maybe we should give him a bit of Individual Respect."

So they left Sir John A with a nice warm scarf and the wish that he will rest easy, wherever he may be.

Back into the box, the Mace was ready to head on to the farthest East, where it's always a half hour later, St John's Newfoundland.

But next up, on the Mace's Western tour, we'll stop in on Stephen Harper's office in Calgary!

Vancouver 2010! Er, Gibson's Landing 2010!

2010-02-19T06:29:00.000-08:00

As the top half of the Mace traveled in its spacious and comfortable box from Yellowknife to Vancouver, excitement mounting, it also had a moment of regret. "Maybe I should have asked to keep the toque from Yellowknife," it thought. "After all, the Winter Olympics are going on. It's bound to be mighty chilly down there."

"Hmm, guess I don't need the hat after all."

It turns out that tickets to the games were pretty expensive, and unfortunately the mace didn't have any of the $130,000,000 that was being spent on keeping Commons going while no one was at work. So instead, it decided to take a beautiful springtime tour of Gibson's Landing BC.

"Hmm. Well, if I stretch a bit, I can almost see Cypress Mountain from here. Did I just hear a cheer?"

Turning its gaze slightly, the Mace got a beautiful view of the third sea in its sea-to-sea-to-sea tour of the country so far. "Okay, so I didn't get to see the Arctic Ocean," it thought, "but I did get to play hockey on Great Slave Lake." Its guide saw the pictures, and noted that it actually played hockey on a pond, and that Great Slave was much larger. "Rats," said the Mace, "I really need to get out more."

Next was a stop to the site where Captain George Vancouver landed in 1792, to claim Puget Sound for Great Britain. "Vancouver, 1792!" shouted the Mace. "It doesn't have exactly the same ring, does it?" "No," admitted its guide, "but it was perhaps a more significant event." The Mace stopped to ponder for a moment. "I wonder if the King of England was banking on Vancouver's expedition to take his subjects' attention off of some scandal happening at the palace?" "I have no idea to what you might be alluding," said its guide.

At this juncture, the Mace opted to take a rest and sun on the rocky shores of Gibson's Landing. Looking to its side, it noticed something that inspired in it a wave of homesickness:

"A giant pile of driftwood!" exclaimed the Mace. "I feel like I'm back in the House of Commons!"

"Alright, enough sentimentalism," said the Mace's knowledgeable guide, "It's time to see the real reason I brought you to Gibson's Landing. We're off to see one of the truly democratic buildings in the nation. A place where thousands of Canadians turned for years to see reasoned debate, peaceful settlement of conflict, and respectful interactions between Canadians from varying backgrounds and professions, be they Greek, Aborigional, male, female, poor, rich, middle class, well known, or unknown. They always had a voice in this stately example of what truly binds this country together:"

"Wow," said the Mace. "If I had an eye, there'd be a tear in it right now."

And with that, the Mace was off to the next destination on its Western journey: Cowtown, home of the Stampede, and of the country's current Prime Minister - Calgary, Alberta!

But next chapter, we'll be joining the Mace's Eastern tour, to Charlottetown, PEI!

Bridge Walks and Melting Clocks - Fredericton, New Brunswick

2010-02-16T18:41:00.000-08:00

As the top half of the Mace was up north, the bottom half continued its tour of the Maritimes. Next stop - Fredericton.

Met by two excellent tour guides, the Mace made haste in seeking out the steps of democracy in this fair (yet chilly) city. Off it went to the very heart of reasoned debate - the New Brunswick Legislature.

"Not bad" said the mace, "But can you maybe hold me a little higher so I can peek in the window? I'm missing the action in there. It's been a while since I've seen any reasoned debate, and quite frankly, I'd like to remember what it looks like."

After getting a taste of the legislative, it was time for a hint of the executive. On to Old Government House, currently the Lieutenant Governor's home, but at various times a hospital, World War One soldier's barracks and RCMP headquarters when it wasn't used for governmental purposes. "They had some good uses for this place when it wasn't being used for Government", thought the Mace, "However, I hope that's not the fate in store for Parliament. After all, what would I end up doing? I can't dress a wound, and I'd be lousy as a soldier's bedpost."

Continuing the walking (Macing?) tour of the city, they strolled by the pedestrian bridge, one of three bridges that connect the North and South sides of Fredericton.

Nearby the bridge is a very lovely display, showing Fredericton's support for the Games in Vancouver. "I'll be heading there soon", said the Mace. But then it paused to ponder: "If we can show support for our fellow Canadians who are 5,634 kilometers away, why can't our people in the House show support for their fellow Canadians who are less than 50 feet away?"

Leaving that bit of imponderable logic for another time, the Mace's guides brought it to another place in Canada where the rules of reality do not always apply - the Beaverbrook Art Gallery, home of a renowned collection of art works, including those by the surrealist, Salvador Dalí. "His paintings do remind me of home" admitted the Mace.

The last stop of the tour was to the Fredericton Cenotaph, memorializing those from the city who died in the service of the country and its citizens' right to Peace, Order, and Good Government.

"The peace and order are here," said the Mace, "but perhaps the definition of good government has changed since the times of these soldiers. I wonder what they would have to say about the country as it is today? Or as it will be tomorrow?"

And with that final question, it was time to head onto the next leg of the journey. Bidding its hosts a fond farewell, it was back in the box, and off to Prince Edward Island.

Next up will be back to the west coast to check on the top half of the mace and its journey to Vancouver!

To the Top of the Country

2010-02-14T22:31:00.000-08:00

Landing safely in the Great White North, the Mace was handed a convenient ski cap and invited to partake in some serious winter gaming activities while also taking in the city.

"It's an open question as to whether you'll actually see any snow in Vancouver, on the next leg of your journey," said the Mace's host, "so I figured in case you couldn't see any winter games down there, you might as well get some in up here. First up is some cross-country skiing."

Not being one to waste time (that's the MPs' job in Parliament, not the Mace's), the first visit was to Yellowknife City Hall. "Yep, looks like democracy is here, all right", mused the Mace. "At least it's working somewhere."

Next was a refreshing ski through old town Yellowknife. "Had I a stomach," stated the Mace, "all of this skiing would make me pretty hungry. I've heard of the famous Wildcat Café. Let's take a gander there and grab some grub!"

Before our intrepid adventurer's guide could say "It's closed in the winter", the mace got to see that fact first hand. "Aw, nuts", said the mace in its wooden way, "What else have you got to warm the cockles of my... um... well, I don't really have any cockles, as I am a Mace after all..."

Before long, they arrived for a nice repast at Bullock's Bistro. "Better food than the Parliamentary café", said the Mace, "and more people here at this place right now. Things are pretty quiet there. In fact, I'd say there's more discussion and democracy going on at this café than at the Commons right now. Good to see that I can put Yellowknife on my list as one of the places in Canada where Democracy is alive and well."

After lunch, the Mace was invited to finish up the day with a little ice fishing.

Followed up by strapping on the skate:

And playing a pick-up game of pond hockey.

The score didn't really matter, as everyone had a great time. "Thanks for the tour. I'll remember to tell the folks back in Ottawa to come on up here if they ever forget how to be hospitable to their neighbours. Not that they ever would." And with that and some final farewells, it was on to the next leg of the journey, to Vancouver, British Columbia.

Stay tuned for the bottom half of the mace's journey to Fredericton, New Brunswick, next up!

Where's Democracy? The Beginning.

2010-02-08T21:47:00.000-08:00

It was early in the year 2010 when Canada's Prime Minister, Stephen Harper was getting too many uncomfortable questions. In need of some time to rest and recalibrate, he decided, "I know! I'll do something nice for all of the hard working Members of Parliament!"

Given that democracy was no longer needed around the house, the Parliamentary Mace found itself without much to do. So, it decided to do a tour around the country to see some of the people who still care about it.

Laying in the winter snow and looking skyward, the Mace started talking to itself (which is in itself pretty interesting, seeing as it is an inanimate object); "Since democracy isn't really wanted here in Ottawa," said the Mace, "Let's take a look around this great old country and see if people really don't care anymore."

So with that, the Mace hopped on down to the mail room (where the mail staffer was happy to have something to send out other than attack ad pamphlets) and jumped a plane to the first stop on its tour: Halifax, Nova Scotia.

In Halifax, the mace was greeted by Sam, who decided to show it a bit of the town. First stop was a visit to a fine old fellow next to the Provincial Legislature:

The statue of Joe Howe, Nova Scotia's fifth Premier, who once agitated brilliantly for a strong and free press in Canada, imploring his fellow citizens in a six hour speech "to leave an unshackled press as a legacy to your children".

"I wonder what he'd say about the state of things today?", mused the Mace. Joe stood silent, his fight now up to the current generation of Canadians.

"Next up" said Sam, "Citadel Hill!"

Citadel Hill protected the city for centuries from potential marauders. The fortress remains as a national historic site. The climb up the hill is steep, and the Mace asked to rest a moment, during which, it posed for a photo with the town clock. "Time marches on here" thought the mace, as it wondered if the clock on Parliament's tower was also prorogued. "Maybe it got time off as well. It only seems fair" thought the mace.

Reaching the gates of the Citadel, the Mace took a moment to catch its breath. But then it realized it had no breath to catch, since it was made of wood. So it stared at the solid gates to the imposing fortress. Thinking of the long military history of the town, the Mace said, "I wonder if back in the 18th Century, politicians would hide behind the military in order to avoid questions about their own conduct, or if that's a more modern affliction. I should look that up when I get back to the Library of Parliament. I wonder if the Library is prorogued as well?"

"Well," said Sam, the Mace's host, "About time you got on to the next stop on your tour. You'll eventually have to get back to work, I guess." "I guess so." said the Mace. "And I definitely want to see as much of Canada as I can, so I'd better split."

"Literally" said the Mace. "If you'll be so kind, Sam, I'll be heading out to see the East and the West at the same time. So many people to see, so much to do. I can't wait to find out what awaits me next. So the top half of me will go to the top of the country - Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. The bottom half of me will head to Fredericton, New Brunswick next."

So Sam boxed the Mace up, wished it best of luck, and sent it on its way. The Mace and Sam both eager to find out what interesting things would be learned on this cross Canada tour to find the answer to the question; "WHERE'S DEMOCRACY?"

Be sure to check back for the Mace's next adventures as it travels to Yellowknife and Fredericton.

This is an art project being performed by Canadian citizens who are concerned about their country's democratic process.

Visit the facebook groups:
Where's Democracy
Canadians Against Proroguing Parliament