The daily sessions of the Alberta Legislative Assembly begin with a tradition that underscores the symbolic importance of the mace. The Sergeant-at-Arms, armed and donning ceremonial attire, carries the province’s royal mace into the Assembly chamber. Placed upon the clerk’s table, this golden scepter signifies the commencement of official proceedings. Learn more on edmonton-yes.
The First Session at the Thistle Rink and the Creative Mace
The mace, a key symbol of the Alberta Parliament, represents the authority granted by the Crown. It ensures the legitimacy of parliamentary proceedings, signifying that laws are enacted in the name of the Queen. The tradition of the mace dates back centuries to the origins of British democracy.
Alberta’s first Legislative Assembly session featuring the mace occurred on March 15, 1906, at the Thistle Rink in Edmonton. At the time, the rink was the largest venue in Edmonton, accommodating up to 4,000 spectators. The venue, typically used for hockey, was transformed into a parliamentary setting: flags adorned the rafters, carpets covered the ice, and tables and a speaker’s platform were set up.
Lieutenant Governor George Bulyea and Premier Alexander Rutherford led the session. The highlight was the ceremonial presentation of the mace, despite its unconventional origins.
Pressed for time and funds, the Legislative Assembly tasked Calgary jeweler Brothers Jewellery to craft a golden mace. The estimated $150 budget was deemed insufficient, leading to the project being assigned to Rufus E. Butterworth, a railway carpenter. Using everyday materials like a plumbing pipe, tin cans, brass bed handles, and even a toilet float, Butterworth crafted a creative makeshift mace. This improvised artifact, although unconventional, allowed the session to proceed.
The New Legislative Building and the Golden Mace
In 1907, land was purchased from the Hudson’s Bay Company for the construction of the Alberta Legislature Building. Officially opened in 1912, the new venue retained the original mace for 50 years. Over time, this unique symbol bore witness to Alberta’s historical milestones, including eight premiers’ terms, the Great Depression, and economic turmoil.
In 1956, a new golden mace was commissioned to commemorate the legislative body’s golden jubilee. Crafted by Edmonton jeweler Lawrence Blain, the new mace was a work of art, featuring intricate designs that represented Alberta’s identity. Its golden handle and crown were adorned with symbols of the province, including bison, beavers, and wheat sheaves. The most remarkable feature was the inclusion of seven gemstones—amethyst, azurite, ruby, topaz, emerald, amber, and coral.
When this magnificent new mace was first presented, it was hailed as a representation of Alberta’s growth and prosperity. The original mace, with its storied past, was retired and placed in the provincial library within the Legislature Building.
The mace remains a cherished symbol of Alberta’s legislative history and a testament to the province’s evolving identity.