Take a virtual tour of the Alberta Legislative Assembly and discover some of the symbols and traditions that exist within by clicking on the image below.
The Mace
the Mace is a heavy, decorated, gold staff which symbolizes the authority of the Assembly
to make laws for the province. during the meeting it rests on the Assembly table. the
crown of the Mace points toward the government side of the Chamber, indicating which
party has the power to govern.
to make laws for the province. during the meeting it rests on the Assembly table. the
crown of the Mace points toward the government side of the Chamber, indicating which
party has the power to govern.
The Black Rod
the Black Rod is a symbol of the Legislative
Assembly’s independence from the monarchy.
Alberta’s black Rod is carried by the Sergeant-at-Arms
when the Lieutenant Governor, Governor General or
the Queen is escorted to the Chamber. the tradition
is for the Sergeant-at-Arms to use the black Rod to
knock three times on the Chamber doors to request
the Speaker’s permission for the Lieutenant Governor
to enter the Chamber to deliver a royal message
such as the Speech from the Throne.
Assembly’s independence from the monarchy.
Alberta’s black Rod is carried by the Sergeant-at-Arms
when the Lieutenant Governor, Governor General or
the Queen is escorted to the Chamber. the tradition
is for the Sergeant-at-Arms to use the black Rod to
knock three times on the Chamber doors to request
the Speaker’s permission for the Lieutenant Governor
to enter the Chamber to deliver a royal message
such as the Speech from the Throne.
Royal Assent
the early british parliaments needed the
monarch’s approval before a bill could
officially become law. this tradition
is still practised when the Lieutenant
Governor grants royal assent to legislation. this
means that once a bill has been passed through
all the necessary readings and the Lieutenant
Governor has approved the bill in the Chamber,
the bill will become a law. Sometimes the law
takes effect upon proclamation at a later date.
monarch’s approval before a bill could
officially become law. this tradition
is still practised when the Lieutenant
Governor grants royal assent to legislation. this
means that once a bill has been passed through
all the necessary readings and the Lieutenant
Governor has approved the bill in the Chamber,
the bill will become a law. Sometimes the law
takes effect upon proclamation at a later date.