City Notebook: Lots to think about in wake of Queen Elizabeth II’s death
By COLLIN GALLANT on September 10, 2022.
cgallant@medicinehatnews.com@CollinGallant It’s an age in flux, there’s no doubt about it, which is part of the story surrounding the death of Queen Elizabeth II. For Canadians, who probably didn’t think about the Queen very often though her face is on our money and her name on every law in our land, her passing cuts the line to another of life’s anchors. We are reflecting, I think, in greater measure on her rather than as the symbol she embodied in the very real workings of our government and society. The majority opinion is she was a generally nice person, the sort which seems in very short supply today. This is why Betty White and Dolly Parton experienced a renaissance in a celebrity culture with no shortage of nasty actors. Among billionaires, she’d probably win that poll, too. Her death perhaps opens the debate about the monarchy’s role in Canada which we collectively put off – perhaps out of good manners – until Charles took over. Charles III on our money and stamps? Never mind that, there’s a good debate going about the need for physical currency at all. Stamps?! Ties and dress shoes have already lost this battle in record speed. Politics in North America, not to mention Britain, have revolved a good deal lately on promises to slow down the world and put it back in a place that makes sense for a growing number of citizens. It’s hard to think that will reverse. Meeting the Queen This week Jim Horsman is remembering several occasions he had to meet the Queen. Of course, top cabinet ministers have more opportunity in this regard, but a recurring theme of her 70 years on the throne was her ability to make a connection with a glance. Therefore, we’re asking Hatters to get in touch with their remembrances (find more details on page A5). The idea is to share a personal moment of connection, and doesn’t require an actual meeting. Something to start you off… The first colour movie my mother ever saw growing up in small town Manitoba was a feature presentation of the 1952 coronation which was shipped out across the world and shown at her local movie houses. She spent a week’s worth of egg money on the ticket. Speaking of eggs Urban chickens are off the table, so to speak, after city council voted against asking staff to look into what’s been done in other jurisdictions since the issue last arose locally in 2014. It first cropped up here in the early 2010s, you may recall when mayor Norm Boucher famously fought against allowing backyard coops. He grew up on a 30,000-hen operation in rural Quebec, and had no qualms stating fowl didn’t belong in a city. For the record, a number of Alberta cities allow a maximum of four laying hens and no roosters. Business week The province released a “Hydrogen Blending” report this week that looks into how, if and how much it would cost to mix the non-emitting fuel into natural gas mix for home heating. By the way, Imperial Oil announced it will purchase hydrogen from a new plant in Alberta starting in 2023 to supply its low-carbon diesel refinery in the Edmonton area. A look ahead The new federal Conservative Party leader will be determined Saturday as the vote total in the contest is released. Front runners Pierre Poilievre or Jean Charest will become the leader of “His” Majesty’s Loyal Opposition. More details of the “Together Again Festival” set for Sept. 17, will be discussed at Monday’s meeting of the public services committee. 100 years ago The Rotary Karnival Queen for 1922 was Marion McLean after she totalled more than six million votes, you read correctly, from the News edition on Sept. 16, 1922. The contest saw local businesses provide hundreds of ballots on certain purchases, while the News offered 12,000 votes to each new subscriber. Fellow contestant Blanche Millican took out an advert thanking citizens for their support, but added the rather dramatic statement, “We go down with Homer and our flag nailed to the mast.” The Canada Land Co. distributed cantaloupes grown at the Bow River Irrigation demonstration farm to promote the fertile soil and weather conditions in their lands near Vauxhall. Seven-foot split cedar posts were priced at 15-cents a piece at the Revelstoke sawmill. New Canadian rugby football rules for 1922 included few changes, though the kickout after a rouge was eliminated. For the first time in seven years, the Canadian dollar traded above par against its U.S. counterpart. Collin Gallant covers city politics and a variety of topics for the News. Reach him at 403-538-5664 or via email at cgallant@medicinehatnews.com 40-39
