Mrs.+Kiefer+Goes+to+Ottawa

__ **//Saturday, Oct. 31, 2009 - Hello Ottawa! //** __

I have begun my quest to learn more about our Canadian parliamentary system of government. As I was entering the Ottawa airport, I caught sight of an interesting statue. Guess who the statue is of? Scroll down for the answer. 

=
 ====== ​  **If you said Sir John A. MacDonald - awesome! If you also answered George Etienne Cartier, I declare you a Canadian history wizard!**

__ **// Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009 //** __

Today was the first day of the Teachers' Institute. In the afternoon, I was able to tour the Centre Block, the main building with the Peace Tower. I was struck by the very tight security. We had to go through metal detectors just like at an airport and security guards were very visible throughout the whole building. The building itself is very beautiful. The gothic architecture is quite striking. The Library of Parliament was a beautiful space filled with warm-toned woods, gold accents and the thousands of colourful books. In the evening, we had a formal supper together and had a chance to meet delegates from not only Saskatchewan but the rest of the country.







Ottawa seems to be a beautiful, clean government city. A person feels very safe walking the streets. And, the people are very friendly. Those connected with government seem very proud of our Parliament and appear to enjoy working in such an interesting and historical environment. I have to say, my early introduction to "the Hill" has furthered my own love of Canadian political history and appreciation for the democracy that we enjoy.


 * //__Monday, Nov. 2, 2009__//**

home to offices used by Sir John A., Cartier and Trudeau.
 * What We Did:** Learned about the constitution, the electoral process, toured the East Block that is

under his leadership. Good speakers win elections. Good speakers with the "common touch" are unbeatable.
 * Favorite Moment:** hearing Ed Broadbent, the former federal NDP leader speaker about making changes to the electoral process - fierce speaker! No wonder why the NDP had the best showing


 * Favourite Sight:** the offices used by our fouding fathers such as MacDonald (beautiful).


 * Most Creepy Moment:** me "looking for a washroom" so that I really could find the office of Jack Layton. No luck seeing him, or anyone high profile, yet.

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 140%; text-align: left;"> //**__Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009__**//

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 140%;">**Favourite Sight**: Rideau Hall, such a beautiful building. It is the building used when the Governor General swears in a new Prime Minister/cabinet and also to greet foreign dignitaries like Nelson Mandela. Seeing many of the foreign embassy buildings was interesting too!
 * What We Did Today:** Met with our Members of Parliament - I met Mr. Ray Boughen, took a tour of Rideau Hall, the home of Governor General, Michaelle Jean and learned about resources we could use in the classroom.


 * Most Challenging Experience:** the constant security. All parliamentary buildings requires individuals to go through security, just like at the airport. Although necessary, this becomes a tedious process, especially when you are involving 70 people in a group. A person does take free, unrestricted movement foregranted!


 * Punny Joke:** Mackenzie Bowell was elected as Prime Minister in 1894. What term was used to describe his popularity? The "Bowell" Movement! Ba da, ba da!
 * __//<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 140%;">Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009 //__**

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 140%;">What We Did Today: met with the Speaker of the House, Hon. Peter Milliken, learned about legislative process, lunched with Parliament of Library staff, watched Question Period, attend a formal gala with Parliamentarians, saw Tibetan monks, and caught a glimpse of Rick Hansen, the Man in Motion.





<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 140%;">**Interesting Sight of the Day:** a person dressed up as a seal with a sign asking Prime Minister Harper to end the seal hunt (see picture below)

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 140%;">**My Most Creepy Moment:** having to find Justin Trudeau's seat in the House of Commons and sitting in it because he is the offspring of a political rock star (funny thing was many others were in line to do the same thing!) - //see picture below//

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 140%; text-align: left;">**What We Did Today:** had breakfast with several Senators, met with the Speaker of the Senate, listened to a panel consisting of Senators who talked about their roles, had lunch with the main Senate Clerk, toured the Supreme Court of Canada and listened to a presentation from a Supreme Court Judge.



<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;"> **Favourite Moments of the Day:** I enjoyed meeting the Senators and Senate staff. Everyone has been completely gracious - these folks have amazing social skills. Going to the Supreme Court was also great!


 * What I Have Learned:** Overall, people in Parliament love their jobs and are so excited to tell you about what they do. They all tend to feel extremely fortunate and proud to work in Parliament. I also learned that politicians have no love for the media and for individuals from opposing parties. You will not catch them saying many nice things about one another!!


 * Crazy Adventure:** On Wednesday night we went to a formal gala with Parliamentarians at the historic Chateau Laurier. We had a wonderful meal and enjoyed great conversation. I sat right beside Mr. Ray Boughen, our Palliser MP and Mr. Randy Hoback who is the MP for the PA riding. Mr. Boughen had to leave to go celebrate the passing of legislation that would scrap the gun registry. At that time, Mr. Hoback invited us to a secret, late night visit to the House of Commons. What fun we had. To have free roam of that space at 11:30 at night was exciting. We also had a chance to hear really interesting stories and "inside information!" I also had a chance to sit in P.M. Harper's seat - see below. and "slide" down the banister that Trudeau did.



<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%;">**My Most Creepy Moment:** having to recreate Pierre Trudeau's slide down the brass banister.