HomeMy WebLinkAboutGoderich Signal Star, 2017-06-21, Page 21Wednesday, June 21, 2017 • Signal Star 21
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OFFICIALLY
CANADIAN SINCE...
1905
COAST-TO-COAST PRIDE
Originally established as a provisional district of
the North-West Territories in 1882, Alberta joined
Confederation in 1905, along with Saskatchewan.
With the fur trade in rapid decline during the
1850s and 60s, British North American leaders
started exploiting the land's agricultural potential.
By the end of the 19t century, the Canadian West
had undergone exponential change. In addition to
experiencing an agricultural boom, the territories
west of Ontario also saw urban development
thanks to an increase in logging camps, mining
centres and railway construction sites.
In 1883, the Canadian Pacific Railway reached
Calgary, opening the floodgates to Alberta's fertile,
wheat -bearing lands. Furthermore, with the United
States demonstrating true expansionist aims since
the time of Confederation, Canada began asserting
its presence in the Prairie Provinces by sending
the Royal Mounted Police westward to present-
day Lethbridge, where they founded Fort Macleod.
However, for a government that possessed almost
all the powers and responsibilities of a province in
its own right, Alberta, like its sister territories, lacked
the financial resources to build schools and advance
public works. It became clear to politicians like Sir
Frederick William Haultain -- an active member of
the territorial legislature — that provincial status
was the only way to achieve strong political power
similar to that enjoyed by the existing Canadian
provinces. In the early 1900s, Haultain fought
tirelessly to obtain provincial self-government, and
although he always advocated for one single
province, in the end, Canada welcomed two: Alberta
and its eastern neighbour, Saskatchewan.
LICENCE PLATE SLOGAN
'/herb !`ti'
BTW -8668
Wild Rose
Country
NOT TO BE MISSED
A compelling destination for visitors worldwide,
Alberta offers everything from breathtaking
landscapes to unforgettable cultural experiences.
It's a province you'll definitely want to put on your
list of Canadian must -sees!
NATIONAL PARKS
Home to five of Canada's UNESCO World Heritage
Sites, Alberta has no shortage of natural attractions.
Named one of 2017's Top Travel Destinations by
the National Geographic, Banff National Park is
every traveller's dream. Camped between the
rugged peaks of the Canadian Rockies, Banff offers
exquisite hiking trails and soothing hot springs. And
don't forget to stop at Lake Louise to marvel
at some of the most turquoise waters you'll have
ever seen!
FESTIVALS
Do you have festival fever? From world-famous
rodeos to mind-blowing fringe festivals, Alberta's
city centres are nothing short of entertaining.
Dubbed the ~Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth," the
Calgary Stampede is where ridin', ropin' and
ranglin' take centre stage. Held every July, this
ALBERTA
10 -day celebration of western culture and
hospitality features rodeos, parades, concerts,
crop competitions and pancakes galore! An
estimated 200,000 free pancakes are served
during the Calgary Stampede each year.
But that's not all! The Edmonton International
Fringe Festival — the oldest and largest fringe
theatre festival in North America — provides
festivalgoers with a range of eclectic performances
to enjoy: stand up comedy, improvisational theatre,
poetry reading, storytelling, etc. Held every August,
the festival advocates freedom of expression
and provides a platform for artists to share their
work, uncensored.
EXCURSIONS
Do you live for open-air adventures? Alberta
is the perfect stop for thrill -seekers, no matter
which time of year! Trek along the glaciers in the
Columbia Icefield; straddle the Rocky Mountains'
Great Divide on snowshoe; canoe down the
Bow River in Banff like the fur traders of Canada's
past; or climb to new heights up Mount Norquay's
Via Ferrata (Iron Road).
DEMONYM OFFICIAL MOTTO
People from Alberta Fortis et Liber
are called Albertans (Strong and free)
PROVINCIAL NICKNAMES
• Wild Rose Country
• The Princess Province
• The Energy Province
• Texas North
A ROYAL NAMESAKE
Did you know that Alberta was named in honour of Princess Louise
Caroline Alberta, the fourth daughter of history's most famous
monarch, Oueen Victoria, and the wife of John Campbell, former
Governor General of Canada?
*/*
DID YOU KNOW?
• Alberta is home to the 'Dinosaur Capital of the
World." Situated in the middle of a colossal fossil -
bearing canyon in the Drumheller Valley. the Royal
Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology houses more
than 130,000 fossils and numerous specimens
from Alberta's badlands. In fact. Alberta is known
to have one of the greatest diversities of Late
Cretaceous dinosaur fossils on Earth.
• The West Edmonton Mall in the provinces capital
is the largest shopping centre in North America. It
covers an area of 5.3 million square feet and
boasts over 800 shops. an indoor theme park
and a full-service theatreamong other
amenities.
• In 2015. the southern city of Medicine Hat
announced it had built enough micro homes to
end chronic homelessness within its borders.
• Instead of a key to the city. dignitaries visiting
Calgary receive a white felt cowboy hat: a coveted
Smithbiltno less.
• Patricia Lake in Jasper. Alberta was the site of
Operation Habbakuka top-secret WWII military
project to build a prototype aircraft carrier out of
ice. The theory was that 'ice ships could bypass
magnetic mines undetected. Safe to say that 'he
operation floundered.
Celebrating 150 Yearsfor Canada & 190
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