Calgary Should be the Alberta Capital

[Shawnski]

Originally posted by Thunderball@May 7 2005, 12:53 AM
well, Calgary was supposed to be the capital back in 1905, but some say, because Edmonton had Liberal representation and Calgary didn't, Laurier gave the nod to Edmonton.

I wouldn't necessarily say Calgary was supposed to be the capital. They had lobbied earlier to become capital of the territories. The bid failed. Later, the events to Edmonton being chosen went something like this.....

So when Alberta was set to enter Confederation in 1905, Calgary - with that territorial capital snub still fresh in mind - really lobbied hard to be the provincial seat.

(Frank) Oliver had founded the city's first newspaper, the Edmonton Bulletin, and was a wily political veteran first elected to the territorial assembly in Regina in 1888 and 1894. He was elected to the House of Commons in 1896, initially as Alberta's only Member of Parliament, and later as the member for Edmonton.

Oliver was also a Liberal.

Conversely, the man Calgary elected in the 1904 election to represent them in Ottawa was a Conservative.

When it came time for Prime Minister Sir Wilfred Laurier - a Liberal - to appoint a minister of the interior on April 1, 1905, he of course selected Oliver. It was a cruel April Fool's joke on Calgary's aspiration to be capital.

Just three months later, according to local historian J.G. MacGregor in Edmonton: A History, Oliver coaxed Laurier into designating Edmonton as the "provisional capital" as the prime minister was writing up the act of parliament.

Thus, clause nine of the the Federal Alberta Act stated:

"Unless and until the Lieutenant Governor in Council of the said province otherwise directs, by proclamation under the Great Seal, the seat of government for said province shall be at Edmonton."

Much to the chagrin of Calgary, of course, which now schemed to win permanent rights via the new provincial legislature.

But Laurier had already assigned the task of establishing the electoral districts in the new province to Oliver, who placed the majority in the northern half of the province.


One summary of events...

Certainly seems the Liberal political ties hold the key for the choice of Edmonton over Calgary as provincial capital... and the first BOA!!

[CaptainCrunch]

I'm actually happy that Edmonton is the Capital. if those damn commies drop the big one they're going to hit the capitals first, then send in the brooms to sweep it off of the prairies.

Yeee Gods there's nothing like the smell of burning edmontonians in the morning.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally posted by calf+May 6 2005, 11:32 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (calf @ May 6 2005, 11:32 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-FlamesAddiction@May 6 2005, 05:02 PM
I don't know why I am posting this

Clearly to show your inferiority complex about your city

Signed,
Sundeep Mahli [/b][/quote]
Sundeep has nothing on me.

I have actually never lived in Calgary.

I'm originally from Ontario (and never minded the term Easterner), and lived in Vancouver for several years before moving to Lethbridge 1.5 years ago. Being a Flames fan might make me biased towards the city of Calgary, however it doesn't stop me from liking Vancouver (the city) - so obviously it isn't a complete lack of obectivity.

I think I'm pretty close to being impartial when I say Calgary is a better "showcase" city than Edmonton.

[RougeUnderoos]

Originally posted by Shawnski@May 7 2005, 07:25 PM
Just three months later, according to local historian J.G. MacGregor in Edmonton: A History,

Isn't JG MacGregor the name the pet-store owner gave to the mystery-writing hamster in that Simpsons episode?

[calgaryred]

To me captial city's mean nothing. They don't enrich a city and make them more interesting. I'd rather keep the politicans up north Klien is pro-Calgary alot more than Don love Edmonton Getty ever has. Remember when Edmonton won the Stanley Cup in 1988 and the nerve of Getty to smear it in Flames fans faces. Yet a year later when the Flames won the cup he's a no show. I still remember the boos when it was mentioned Getty was not present during the celebration downtown.

[Neeper]

Originally posted by Maritime Q-Scout@May 7 2005, 09:02 AM
well I know the provincial capitals, and territorial capitals all off the top of my head, going west to east or east to west.

NF - St John's
NS - Halifax
PE - Charlottetown
NB - Freddy-ton
PQ - Quebec City
ON - Trawanna
MB - Winterpeg
SK - Regina
AB - Edmonton
BC - Victoria
NV - Iqualit
NW - Yellowknife
YK - Whitehorse


I dunno if I like the capital being in the largest most propserous city or not. Some provinces it's the most prosperous because it's the capital (gov't concentration there) others it's quietly doing the work in the background.

Should Calgary be the captial? I don't see why you should bother changing it. It'd cost an arm and a leg (mind you if any province could afford it...)

Might be better to have it in Red Deer, inbetween the two cities with the fragile egos :P

I would hope most Canadians know this as well. It was taught to me in grade 7. I am a bit of a geography buff so I know all 50 States capitals too ... B-)

[CaramonLS]

Originally posted by Neeper+May 8 2005, 03:32 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Neeper @ May 8 2005, 03:32 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-Maritime Q-Scout@May 7 2005, 09:02 AM
well I know the provincial capitals, and territorial capitals all off the top of my head, going west to east or east to west.

NF - St John's
NS - Halifax
PE - Charlottetown
NB - Freddy-ton
PQ - Quebec City
ON - Trawanna
MB - Winterpeg
SK - Regina
AB - Edmonton
BC - Victoria
NV - Iqualit
NW - Yellowknife
YK - Whitehorse


I dunno if I like the capital being in the largest most propserous city or not. Some provinces it's the most prosperous because it's the capital (gov't concentration there) others it's quietly doing the work in the background.

Should Calgary be the captial? I don't see why you should bother changing it. It'd cost an arm and a leg (mind you if any province could afford it...)

Might be better to have it in Red Deer, inbetween the two cities with the fragile egos :P

I would hope most Canadians know this as well. It was taught to me in grade 7. I am a bit of a geography buff so I know all 50 States capitals too ... B-) [/b][/quote]
I didn't know the Capital of NV to be honest. Other ones are quite obvious.

[Neeper]

Originally posted by CaramonLS+May 7 2005, 09:29 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (CaramonLS @ May 7 2005, 09:29 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>

I would hope most Canadians know this as well. It was taught to me in grade 7. I am a bit of a geography buff so I know all 50 States capitals too ... B-)

I didn't know the Capital of NV to be honest. Other ones are quite obvious. [/b][/quote]
Carson City. One of four state capitals that end with "City". Can you name the other 3?