photos old and new Dominion Day

Here is an old photo of Dominion Day on Parliament Hill in 1964, I say this because the next year the flag on display would be completely different. We got a new Canadian flag in 1965. Photo is taken at the Sovereign's Gate. Also less people back then, there was no show on the Hill and it was a low key affair with a military parade and I think some fireworks, the Governor General back then was the H.E. the Right Honourable, General George Vanier, a hero of the Great War. Unlike today where the Hill show goes on all day and all the streets in the Centre of the Capital are closed all day, including 2 bridges across the river. With Fireworks tonight at 10pm. We do not have to go to Parliament Hill for the fireworks we can view them from the roof top of our building, much more pleasant.

This is today with H.E. the Governor General David Johnston inspecting his guard of Honour at 11am this morning.  I would not want to have to wear that black bear fur hat which weighs 5 kilos in 30C weather, pretty uncomfortable and those red wool tunic, not exactly summer wear.

The national museums are free today I worked at the Canadian War Museum, there was a lot of people. Had a good time and enjoyed meeting the visitors to the Transformations and Witness exhibits of the Canadian Memorial War Fund paintings.

Will also has the Royal Proclamation of Queen Victoria creating a united Canada see the link
http://willyorwonthe.blogspot.ca

O Canada terre de nos aïeux!

Here are some numbers on Canada for this 1 July 2013.

Canada turns 146 this Canada Day. Some other numbers and their significance for Canada:

4 The number of Canadian provinces on the day of Confederation.

9 The number of Canadians to travel to space.

12 The number of Academy Awards given to National Film Board productions.

16 The number of UNESCO world heritage sites (with eight more listed as tentative).

21 The number of Canadian Nobel laureates.

33 The number of years O Canada has been the official national anthem.

56 The number of Canadian-born celebrities with stars on the Hollywood walk of fame.

85 The percentage of the world’s maple syrup produced in Canada (most of which comes from Quebec).

200, approx. The number of languages spoken in Canadian homes as of 2011.

308 The number of seats in the House of Commons.

525 The number of Canadians to play in an NHL game during the 2011-12 season (making up 53 per cent of total players in the league).

36,138 The average income per capita as of 2012.

8,892 The length (in kilometres) of the border between U.S. and Canada (making it the longest international boundary in the world).

1.4 million The aboriginal population of Canada as of 2011.

9,984,671 Canada’s total area in square kilometres.

33,476,688 Canada’s population as of 2011.
48 the number of years since the proclamation of the New Canadian flag in 1965.

From a more personal note: 
To me Canada is not about a lot of cliches which come to mind on our National day. No it is about the dialogue we can have in this country to advance social causes. In the 1970's the death penalty was done away with and the National consensus was that it was the right thing to do. Then came the decriminalisation of sex acts between consenting adults, in the famous phrase of our Prime Minister Pierre E. Trudeau, the Government has no business in the bedrooms of the Nation. Then came the Charter of Rights which changed Canada for better or for worse, depending on your point of view. Yes we have become obsessed with our rights instead of our responsibilities but in the end it was for the greater good, all of us benefitted in one way or another from this Charter becoming the Law. One consequence being that 10 years ago Same-Sex Marriage came to be and it is accepted by the majority of people. 

We came about all these changes and many more not mentioned here because we could achieve a consensus on a National Level without falling into the usual traps we see in so many other Nations. We had a discussion amongst ourselves and in the many public consultations. The process was not highjacked by some special interest group or Church. It was us the Citizens of Canada who decided and our politicians who had a vision of where we could go. 

In some cases the Supreme Court of Canada pushed the Government or Parliament to act. No one took the Justices to task for ordering the politicians to act in accordance to our Constitution and to their responsibilities. This civilized approach is a great blessing and is not common amongst Western Nations, if I only look at recent examples in France, UK and the USA.  This is what I like the most about my country. Nothing is perfect in this world and I often complain about what I see as needing reform. 

Nonetheless what we have in Canada allows us to live in an inclusive society, that idea has made much progress in the last 40 years again to our benefit. Our social safety net guarantees social Peace and stability, something that is not always valued and often underestimated. People are equal despite the economic discrepancies. For all this and more I am grateful.

Canada is my home, la terre de mes Aïeux. 

Bonne Fête du Canada à tous! 

Mushrooms to Monuments

Ottawa is not known like many other Capitals for its monuments. Until about 10 years ago, we had the National War Memorial unveiled by King George VI in June 1939, we also had monuments to dead Prime Ministers around the Parliament buildings and we had a statue to Terry Fox who ran partly across Canada to raise money for Cancer research before dying himself of the disease. There was also a monument to the Boer War in South Africa, that was about all. However in the last 10 years there as been a veritable mushrooming of monuments all around the city.

A reflection piece described as isolation or feeling lost in the city of Edmonton.

After September 11, 2001 a new concepts came into being, automatically anyone serving as a police officer or in the Fire Dept, was deemed a hero. Was never thought that very appropriate, given that some may be heroes but not all. One has to be distinguished by some heroic act to merit such laurels.
In popular culture it also became the thing to call ''hero'' anyone who might survive or die of a grave illness. We have a monument composed of gigantic multi-colored metal flowers to survivors of cancer. Though this disease is often fatal and is clearly a terrible ordeal, I do not know if we can call a survivor a hero. I would think of a determined person or a person who fought hard and survived through difficult odds.

National War Memorial and tomb of the unknown soldier

City of Ottawa memorial to firefighters.

We now have in Ottawa two monuments to Firefighters, one is a City monument and the other a National Monument, neither is very inspired, its in the style of ''in your face commemoration'', the meat and potato approach to monuments.  There is nothing beautiful about it, noble or inspiring. There is a National Monument to Police Officers on Parliament Hill, in a 19th century re-creation of a Gazebo which stands high up on the cliff overlooking the Ottawa River.  The view is spectacular but it does not make you think of the Police Officers who died in the line of duty.

Monument to fallen animals involved in armed conflicts.

the rather ugly monument to Human Rights, all concrete.

Around the Cenotaph on Confederation Square, 14 heroic statues have appeared in the last few years.
They are life size bronze statues commemorating military heroes, men and women who distinguished themselves from the 17th century to the 20th in different military conflicts. We also have a tomb of the unknown soldier in front of the great War Memorial unveiled in 1939. Unfortunately most people have no idea who those heroes are, Canadian history is not widely known.

There are many more monuments they do not inspire and fail from an aesthetic point of view. I wonder if we are not simply copying other countries in a rush to build monuments. The most recent one is the monument to fallen animals in wars. London has a beautiful one, now we have one next to the Boer War memorial.

We also now have a National Memorial Cemetery like Arlington in Washington DC. All this to say if you visit Ottawa, you will see there are lots of monuments now but you may wonder why they were built in the first place and why they end up where they are. Must be monument by committee.

 Monument to General San Martin in Minto Park

 Monument to battered women

Gazebo on Parliament Hill known as the National Police Memorial

Court date

Today I went to Traffic Court in the West end of the Capital. It's a new building beside Algonquin College, it use to be in an old building at Rideau and Nicholas street. There was a lot of people for different offence to the traffic code. I thought I am going to be here all day. The judge came in wearing her judicial black robe and a green sash indicating she is a Justice of the Peace, other colours indicate other types of Courts, Scarlet sash is a Provincial Court Judge, Burgundy is Superior Court or Court of Appeal Judge, Gold is Federal Court Judge, Purple sash is a Federal Tax Court Judge, Fur line in Red robes is a Supreme Court Judge, only 9 of those in Ottawa.

It was interesting to say the least to listen to the judge explain the proceedings and how it all works, I quickly realized how little we understand of the operations of the justice system. The judge explained that if your car was found on the spot where you got your ticket you are guilty but can provide an explanation and mitigate the fine. Otherwise you go to trial with all that that entails. It is impressive and a little frightening all the same. Yo must take your hat off in Court and no cell phones or food. You must stand when speaking to the Judge and speak directly to the Judge. Exiting the Court you are required to walk backwards and bow to the Judge if you are an Officer of the Court or a Police Officer.

A Court of Justice even if it is just for a traffic offence is a very formal place. All rise when the judge enters and the clerk says, all rise for Justice XXX, the Court is in session, come forward and be heard. The judge then asks you what will you plead and then ask what is your explanations. Important to note that the Judge speaks to you and not the other way around. Stick to the facts and be polite. Some of the testimony was quite funny, per example one gentleman who had difficulty in English explained that his little nephew had to go to the washroom and he had to stop and yes he was too close to the fire hydrant, the rule in Ontario is a distance of 3 meters or 9 feet, he was only 3 feet away. So the judge sentenced him to pay $30 dollars instead of the $75. because of the little nephew. Another lady did not know how to plead, maybe I will plead in the middle she said, what do you mean the Judge asked, well not guilty and guilty too, she said. The Judge explained to her that you could not do that, its one or the other. The lady then said ok what to you advise me to do then, the Judge told her that she could not tell her how to plead. So finally the lady said ok well then I will plead guilty but I have a good explanation. I also noted that there was a lot of poor people in Court, they cannot pay right away and ask if the Court can wait for 2 weeks for the fine payment, the Judge gave all one month to pay. Many did not show up at all, and that is not a good thing, at that point you are deemed guilty and the police will have you on their radar. The licence bureau will also be notified and the computer keeps tabs, so there is no escape the long arm of the law.

I had a good explanation for my parking offence and got a reduced fine, so I went away happy. Despite the crowd it only took all together 35 minutes.

Flag of the Province of Ontario.

Coat of Arms of the Dominion of Canada

at the Movies

The old Bytowne cinema has been a fixture in Ottawa since 1947, it's the original building at 325 Rideau street, one of the oldest streets in By Town (Ottawa) it was the highway East to Montreal in the  19th century. It remains one of the major roads in Ottawa leading to Parliament Hill.

The one screen cinema was built by the Berlin Family of Ottawa and opened in February 1947 as the Nelson Cinema. It was operated as one of Ottawa's main cinema house for many decades until it was closed in 1988. The Berlin family sold the building to the operators of the independent Towne Cinema of Beechwood ave in the New Edinburgh area of Ottawa. They renamed it the ByTowne in honour of Ottawa's original name of Bytown. It has become the venue for alternative and foreign films.

The Bytowne shows a variety of Foreign films each month and films from International Film Festivals which would not be shown at regular cinemas. It has become sort of a club, you often recognize the patrons. It is relatively small about 640 seats, one screen. You can buy a yearly membership which allows you to pay only $7.00 dllrs per movie, which is not bad in this day and age of high prices.

Today we went to see the new Woody Allen movie, Midnight in Paris, cliché ridden with flat acting, characters we cannot really relate too. The story line is interesting and the shots of Paris beautiful. It reminded me of Brigadoon in a weird sort of way. Owen Wilson plays the role of the American writer who wants to live in 1920 Paris, this role would have been played in his younger days by Woody Allen, now too old.

We also saw recently an Italian film with English subtitles, Mine Vagranti (Loose Canons) by Ferzan Ozpetek, a great film, a comedic drama in a contemporary setting in Puglia Italy, engaging and believable.  The Bytown is the place to go for a movie, the patrons are quiet and everyone is there to see a good film.  

The Bytown the place to be on a cold or rainy day in Ottawa.

21 April 1926 - 21 April 2011

The 21 April marks the 85th Birthday of Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada. Canada is a Constitutional Monarchy both French and British Monarchs have reigned over our country since 1534.

She has been our Sovereign for the last 59 years. The only Monarch many Canadians have known. She has visited Canada more than 20 times with Prince Philip, visiting all regions and Provinces of our great Dominion. She has been an example of devotion, duty, stability, courage.

Best Wishes to Her Canadian Majesty on her birthday. May she live forever!

Changes everywhere

After work I make a point of going for a little walk, the building we are in is 50 years old and is not in good condition and has very poor air circulation, so you feel tired after a few hours. Ottawa is enjoying some very good weather though a bit cold but sunny, so I go for a walk. Today I walked down Laurier ave towards the Rideau Canal ( a UNESCO site) and the University of Ottawa, my old Alma Mater. Incredible changes on campus, so many new faculty buildings, modern architecture and hundreds of trees planted all over the campus making it a very green place.  A new foot bridge, said to be the most used bridge across the canal connects the University centre with the Queen Elizabeth Drive. When I think of what the campus was like when I was a student, it was mostly a huge paved parking lot with a few old buildings, some with a historical background, not exactly an inspired campus. In the last 30 years, the campus has been transformed.

What has also changed is the restaurant scene in Ottawa, a city not known in the past for fine dining, people use to go across the Ottawa River to Gatineau for fine French restaurants. On the weekend the city was basically dead and on Sunday's you could not even buy gas. In the last 10 years the restaurant scene has been  totally transformed.  Some very good restaurants have now opened with creative chefs and innovative menus. Gone are the cheap eateries and poor service in mediocre decor. The restaurant scene has certainly matured, to the great benefit of the city.

What I also notice is the number of monuments which have sprouted all over the centre of the Capital.
It use to be that most monuments were concentrated on Parliament Hill around the Houses of Parliament, now you find them around the War Memorial on Confederation Square and along the great avenues.
It is also interesting to note the number of streets which have been transformed like old Wellington Street near Richmond Road, Bank street, King Edward, there has been obvious investments and urban renewal. Not to mention the new Convention Centre twice the size of the old one.

Now if only the new Mayor and City Council can solve the problem of the rapid transit system through the centre of the city, it should make for an interesting improvement to the Capital.

Where is home?

Ottawa, Houses of Parliament


I feel like E.T. and I want to go home, but where is home? Coming back to Ottawa, the Capital of our Dominion, the city has changed, but it remains a small town. Now urban growth sees condos grow like mushrooms and the price is anything between half a million to several million dollars, the University of Ottawa, my alma mater, has grown with many new faculty buildings, obviously many rich alumni have given to the University. The Rideau Canal built by Colonel By and the Royal Engineers in 1834 to move troops rapidly in case of American invasion has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. The capital is also cosmopolitan now, much more so than a decade ago.

By Ward Market

I know that if we return to Ottawa, where we have many friends and were we have had a home in some fashion since 1976, there would be a big adjustment. It is all a question of optics, I suppose. Rome is a small town in many ways and it is also Rome the Eternal City. The same can be said of many other cities, there's the image and the myth about a place and then daily reality.

It is nice to return and to meet so many old friends, the people we know here, we have known for decades.

A wonderful Canadian Christmas story

VIA Rail and good Samaritans to bring Fred the dog from Vancouver to his Montréal family

MONTRÉAL – VIA Rail Canada is happy to be contributing to the repatriation to Montreal of Fred the dog. Found November 30 in British Columbia, at the side of his deceased owner, Fred was much featured in the press during the month of December. VIA will provide the train ticket from Vancouver for Fred and two accompanying adults, residents of the Montréal region who have volunteered to take care of the dog during the four day journey starting January 1st. The dog will be united with the family of his deceased owner upon arrival in Montreal.

On December 8, a Montréal daily, The Gazette, ran an article on Fred, a rugged aboriginal Malamute (Kugsha). Many animal lovers were moved by this story, including some VIA Rail employees. The latter were moved to ask VIA to put the dog on the train, while volunteering to take care of him during the trip. But VIA could not jeopardize the quality of customer service to passengers by assigning train employees to take care of the animal. The solution, as explained by Steve Del Bosco, Chief Customer Officer at VIA, was suggested by a resident of Beaconsfield, Frank Palumbo.

"This bighearted person decided to pay the Montréal-Vancouver airfare for his wife, Mélanie Pellerin, and one of her friends, so they could bring Fred by train to his new Montreal home. With these two taking care of Fred during the trip, the train ride became possible, so we offered them free tickets for the trip. VIA accepts pets on its trains as long as passengers onboard can take care of them", explained Mr. Del Bosco.

Ms. Pellerin said she was very moved by VIA's offer. "I am really happy to see that such a large corporation could be so sensitive to our request. The management and employees displayed generosity and kindness!" For her part, Lynda Roy, sister of Fred's deceased owner, Cyril Roy, warmly thanked all involved: "Thanks to VIA Rail, Mr. Palumbo, the media, and all the staff at the animal shelter in Nanaimo (BC), including Stephanie Walker. My family and I will be reunited with a precious piece of my brother. I am really looking forward to seeing Fred. It will help ease our sorrow. My brothers and sister, Karen, Yanic, Ann, Stephen and Fred himself will be forever grateful for everything that people have done for us!"

About Fred

On November 30, Cyril Roy, 58, was found dead in his trailer, near Nainamo. His dog, Fred, who stayed by his side, was taken to a kennel, and then to an animal shelter. The family of Mr. Roy, in Montreal, tried to recover Fred, but ran into difficulties because of the dog's imposing size and the complexity of a winter trip. Subsequently, Max Harrold, a journalist at The Gazette, wrote an article on Fred's uncertain fate, eliciting dozens of offers by caring individuals wishing to transport the dog. But nothing concrete was achieved until the interventions of VIA and Frank Palumbo.

About VIA Rail Canada

As Canada's national passenger rail service, VIA Rail Canada's mandate is to provide efficient passenger train services, that are cost effective and environmentally friendly, both in Canada’s busiest corridor and in rural and remote regions of the country. Every week, VIA runs 503 intercity, regional and transcontinental trains that connect 450 communities over a network of 12,500 kilometres. The demand for VIA's services is increasing, because more and more passengers are choosing the train as a reliable, practical and environmentally friendly means of transportation to avoid congested highways and airports. For further information on VIA's services across Canada, customers can visit viarail.ca.