Sketches of Parliament and Parliamentarians Past: Trailblazer: Canada’s First Female Clerk

This entry is part 14 of 14 in the series Vol 40 No 3 (Autumn)

Sketches of Parliament and Parliamentarians Past: Trailblazer: Canada’s First Female Clerk

Newfoundland and Labrador was the last province to enter Confederation, but it boasts an important Canadian first – Bettie Duff, who served as Clerk of the House of Assembly of Newfoundland and Labrador from 1977-1991 was the first woman to hold this position in the country. In this special edition of the Canadian Parliamentary Review celebrating 100 years of Canadian women parliamentarians, it is fitting that we are also able to honour one of the trailblazing women working within parliamentary institutions that support parliamentarians’ ability to fulfill democratic responsibilities.

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Sketches of Parliament and Parliamentarians Past: Shining a Light on Ontario’s Parliamentarians – Chandeliers in the Legislative Chamber

This entry is part 12 of 12 in the series Vol 40 No 2 (Summer)

Sketches of Parliament and Parliamentarians Past: Shining a Light on Ontario’s Parliamentarians – Chandeliers in the Legislative Chamber

Look up! Look way up in Ontario’s legislative chamber and you’ll be able to marvel at some magnificent chandeliers dating back to the 1890s. Tracing changes from gasoline to electricity, to more modern considerations such as broadcast requirements and energy efficient LED bulbs, the author shines a light on this interesting aspect of parliamentary history.

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Sketches of Parliament and Parliamentarians Past: The Unusual Case of the Nunavut Carving Vol 40 No 1

This entry is part 11 of 11 in the series Vol 40 No. 1 (Spring)

Sketches of Parliament and Parliamentarians Past: The Unusual Case of the Nunavut Carving

To honour Canada’s development and prevent rewriting of history, by tradition stone carvings or sculptures are never removed from the country’s Parliament buildings once placed there. There is a single known exception – a Canadian coat of arms was removed to make room for representation of the country’s newest territory.

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Sketches of Parliament and Parliamentarians Past: Railway Travel, Tea Stains and Legislative History Vol 39 No 4

This entry is part 13 of 13 in the series Vol 39 No 4 (Winter)

Sketches of Parliament and Parliamentarians Past: Railway Travel, Tea Stains and Legislative History

A strange piece of material from an historic trip through central and southern Alberta by members of the province’s first legislature, staff and others has found its way back to the legislature more than 100 years after it was produced – antique tea stains still intact.

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Sketches of Parliament and Parliamentarians Past: Ontario’s Speaker’s Chair Vol 39 No 3

This entry is part 11 of 11 in the series Vol 39 No. 3 (Autumn)

Sketches of Parliament and Parliamentarians Past: Ontario’s Speaker’s Chair Vol 39 No 3

The focal point of Ontario Legislative Chamber, the Speaker’s Chair is a symbol of authority that also has a very practical function for its occupants.

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Sketches of Parliament and Parliamentarians Past Vol 39 No 2

This entry is part 10 of 10 in the series Vol 39 No. 2 (Summer)

Sketches of Parliament and Parliamentarians Past

In keeping with the motto Je me souviens, the Parliament Building of Québec is like an open book, presenting us with a gallery of illustrious historical figures.

The Parliament Building is a fitting tribute to the women and men who shaped the history of Québec. Engraved on the wainscotting inside the building are the names of 84 historical figures.

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Sketches of Parliament and Parliamentarians Past Paul Martin Sr.: ‘A Good House of Commons Man’ Vol 39 No 1

This entry is part 12 of 12 in the series Vol 39 No.1 (Spring)

Sketches of Parliament and Parliamentarians Past Paul Martin Sr.: ‘A Good House of Commons Man’ Vol 39 No 1

Most remembered today for his leadership ambitions and signature programs from ministries he led, Martin was widely regarded as a strong parliamentarian and a ‘good House of Commons man’ in both government and opposition.

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Sketches of Parliament and Parliamentarians Past: Under the Crimson Cloth: The Story of Canada’s Confederation Table Vol 38 No 4

This entry is part 13 of 13 in the series Vol 38 No.4 (Winter)

Sketches of Parliament and Parliamentarians Past: Under the Crimson Cloth: The Story of Canada’s Confederation Table

Canada’s historic Confederation Table has returned to the province of Quebec for the first time in more than 100 years for a special exhibit – but its home is now Saskatchewan.

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Sketches of Parliament and Parliamentarians Past: The Joe Howe Door and Responsible Government Vol 38 No 3

This entry is part 10 of 10 in the series Vol 38 No 3 (Autumn)

Sketches of Parliament and Parliamentarians Past: The Joe Howe Door and Responsible Government

This article examines how the proceedings of Nova Scotia’s Legislative Council became open to the public and provides answers to a well-known legend in Province House.

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Sketches of Parliament and Parliamentarians Past: The Exuberant Life of Emery Barnes Vol 38 No 2

This entry is part 11 of 11 in the series Vol 38 No 2 (Summer)

Sketches of Parliament and Parliamentarians Past: The Exuberant Life of Emery Barnes

The Legislative Assembly of British Columbia has had a track star, a football player, a social worker, a piano player and a nightclub owner… all rolled into one individual. Former MLA and Speaker of the House, Emery Barnes, was a man of great stature – a gentleman and a gentle giant.

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