OLDS — Earlier this month, the Alberta legislature’s mace, a symbol of the Queen allowing MLAs to make laws in this province, was brought to Olds.
Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills MLA Nathan Cooper, who is also the Speaker of the legislature, brought the mace first to the Rotary Club of Olds, then to a couple of gatherings at École Olds High School, including a social studies class.
It was just the seventh time the mace has been brought out of the legislature, Cooper said.
He said he brought it to the community as part of an effort to impart to students and other residents the importance of symbols of democracy.
The mace is made of silver and gold and is encrusted with several jewels. It weighs about 22 pounds and was a gift from the civil service of Alberta in 1955.
Cooper said it took a craftsman in the U.K. six months to design, etch and create it.
It features coats of arms as well as the beaver — Canada’s national symbol — as well as sheaves of wheat, maple leafs and wild roses — Alberta’s provincial symbol.
Cooper estimated its value at between $200,000 and $250,000.
He also wore his ceremonial tricorne (three-corner) hat and showed off the sword that Sergent-at-Arms Chris Caughell carries as a symbol of his authority in the house.
“I think – I hope – that you’ll see that each of these things tell a little bit of our story,” Cooper told the social studies students.
“They’re a little piece of what we are as Albertans, of what can be, of what we hope to achieve. And the great thing about democracy is each and every one of us can be involved in that process.”
Aiden Morgan, one of the social studies students, was asked what he thought of Cooper’s presentation -- the mace in particular.
“The mace is kinda cool,” he said.
Morgan said he thought some of the other aspects of the presentation were “maybe a little bit weird,” but he declined to say what they were.
During the presentation, one of the students, Cyril Chayce Jenniex, asked Cooper how Wexit – the movement to see Alberta separate from Canada – is affecting the legislature.
“I would say that I don’t think that Wexit has played a significant role in debate inside the house as of yet,” Cooper said.
However, he said “there is significant concern amongst constituents of Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills with how the federal government treats Alberta.
“So while I don’t think that it’s had a huge impact on the actual discussion yet inside the legislature, I hear from lots and lots and lots of constituents who are very concerned about Alberta’s position in Confederation at present.”
Cooper then asked Jenniex what he thought about Wexit.
“I would say it’s a very real possibility and I’m in support of it,” Jenniex replied.
“And lots of people share your opinion,” Cooper said.
After class, Jenniex was asked what prompted him to ask that question; whether he’s interested in politics.
“It’s a topic that I’ve been following lately. It’s something that I’ve been interested in for quite a little bit,” he said, adding it’ll be interesting to see what happens to the Wexit movement in the future.
