Casual Fridays in an Ancient Building

Last Friday, unlike normal days, the Legislative Pages didn't have to wear their uniforms.
Why?
The Legislative Assembly does not sit on Fridays.

As we don't have to work, Fridays are usually fun days; it is on these days that we go on trips outside of Queen's Park. However, today was the Orientation Day for the next group of Legislative Pages who begin work on Monday, March 18th. As our teacher Ms. Tedford needed to be with the new group of pages to train them, we had an extra-early release. While dismissal on Friday is normally two, today we were allowed
to leave at 12:30. As well, today we couldn't go on a trip. So instead, we went on tours.

The Main Building in Queen's Park was constructed in 1893; before that, there was a Mental Hospital for Women on the same grounds, more commonly called the Insane Asylum.
With a history like that, the Ontario Legislative Building must have some ghost stories. In fact, it has many.

The first tour that we went on was to the Attic; the Pages and I were standing directly above the Chamber. Because the wooden floors in the attic was the same that it was built off nearly one hundred and twenty years ago, and for that reason we all had to walk on special paths. We walked to the center of the room, and were given permission to go in pairs off the path to a spot in the center of the floor where you can see down into the Chamber. It was an amazing view.
As well, we were told of a ghost that lives there in the attic; if you look up at the top three windows on the South Side of the Legislative Building at night, you may catch a glimpse of Clarice, the attic ghost.

After our attic tour we headed to the 'dungeons', a basement storage area that was the same as the one in the Insane Asylum. Our tour guide told us of a ghost sighting that occurred there just a few years ago. A construction worker, with limited English skills claimed to have seen a male figure in clothes that a doctor might wear, before the figure floated to him and disappeared.

After our tour of the dungeons, we all headed to the Page Quarters to get our jackets; we were going to go on a scavenger hunt. In pairs, we had to search the Queen's Park for answers to several questions; for example, we needed to find the statue of Sir. John S. Macdonald to figure out the name of the Premier who shared a first and last name with the first Premier of Ontario, Sir. John A. Macdonald.

After an hour of running around in the cold, me and my partner came in last place. Oh well.

We headed back inside and went to the room in which press meetings occurred and got a special visit from one of the reporters that worked at Queen's Park. She explained to us about the Media's part in politics, and how things like Press Meetings and Scrums (mobs of press) worked. It was a great experience, as I to wish to go into journalism or writing when I am older.

After that, the Pages went back downstairs to the Security's Main office. The Head Constable there explained to us the different strands of constables that work at Queen's Park, as well as how their uniforms look like and what they do. We got to meet a constable dressed in Riot Control uniform, and test him on his reaction skills when one Page yelled 'Gas gas gas!', the signal for a gas bomb. The Constable got his gas mask on and redressed in his uniform in a mere 27 seconds!
We also got to interact with the Constable who was monitoring the 160+ security cameras that were placed in and around the Legislative Building; we even got to control one of the cameras with a joystick!

Shortly afterwards, we headed across the hall back to the Page Quarters. At this time, the new Legislative Pages for next term were already there, getting fitted and socializing. My group of pages were told to wait in the classroom, while the pizza was being brought for lunch. Once it arrived, we got a chance to interact with the new patch of pages; I jumped onto this opportunity to welcome them. We were also told to give the new pages some advice for their term.
For any new pages going into the program; my suggestion for you is to make sure that your shoes fit your perfectly. My shoes had already been broken in, but since I hadn't worn them for a year, I got massive blisters on my first day. It really isn't comfortable to be limping around when you have three trips to the Whitney Block across the street.

At twelve thirty, the Term 1 Pages packed up our stuff,  were given our paychecks and said goodbye to the new pages.

Page Captain

Today was a very special day for me; not only was it my first day working in the Chamber in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, but I was a Page Captain!

Each Page gets to be a Page Captain once in their legislative duty. I was fortunate enough to catch a spot as the first Page Captain in the session.

Being a Page Captain comes with several benefits and responsibilities: The pair, sometimes trio of Page Captains gets to walk in the Speaker's procession, along with the Clerks and the Sergeant-at-Arms up through the Main Building of the Legislative Precinct to the Chamber. As this was the first time that the House was sitting ever since the Government was prorogued, the entire procession was filmed and televised. If you tune into the Ontario Legislative Assembly on TV, there is a good chance you will see me in the Speaker's Procession at the beginning of the day!

Speaker's Procession; Sergeant-at-Arms at the Front, followed by the Speaker, the four clerks and the Page Captains.

As well as being given the honor of walking among the Speaker, Clerks and Sergeant-at-Arms, Page Captains have special duties throughout the day; They need to be demonstrating how an ideal Page would behave; they need to watch over the other Pages and make sure everyone is neat and in order, as well as make sure that the Page Quarters are clean. Also, Page Captains must present a report the following morning, giving feedback to the group on the previous day and how to improve.

But I'm sure some of you may be wondering; Daniella, how was working in the chamber?

Personally, I found the experience amazing. Of course, it was very stressful at the beginning of the day; there was a few times that I was asked to deliver a note, and I completely forgot every MPP that I had spent months studying.
However, I really enjoyed the sense of responsibility, professionalism and importance as I carried myself through the Legislative Chamber. Pages always need to look professional; in our suits, that isn't very difficult. But it makes me feel good when I walk in a tall, proud stance to an MPP to deliver their water. I feel important, when I stand on the Dias beside the Speaker. I feel like a belong, among the other Legislative Pages.
This is were I belong.

My First Day, and the Throne Speech.

Today was my first day on the job as a Legislative Page.

Traditionally, a Page's first day is very hectic; they begin to work in the Chamber at 9:00. However, as today was the first day that the Parliament was working after it was prorogued by Mr. McGuinty, today was the day of the Throne Speech: Mr. Onley, the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario read a speech written by the Cabinet Members of their plans for this session. 

The Throne Speech was at 3pm; this left us with the whole day to study and go over how to be Pages. 

When I arrived at Queen's Park this morning, I went to the Page Quarters. I quickly got changed into my new 3-piece uniform, along with the rest of the Pages. We then all went to the classroom, where we played some ice-breakers before beginning 'Legislative Process' class. For the next hour and a half, we went over several aspects of being a page; how to deliver the four Key Documents (Reports by Committees, Introduction of Bills, Motions, and Petitions), how we walk to and from the Chamber in our Procession Lines, how we navigate the Legislative Precinct (The Main Building, Whitney Block, The North Wing) and much more. After a short break for socializing and eating, we all headed up to the Hansard's Office. The Hansard is a team of people who work to scribe everything that goes on in the Chamber. We were introduced to some of the Hansards before heading back downstairs. Instead of returning to the Page Quarters, we went to the (then empty) Chamber and practiced our page duties. 

After an hour long break for lunch, we were back in the classroom. We went over more Page Program things; how to deliver and take deliveries from the Whitney Block across the street, and the step-by-step process of delivering water to an MPP. At around 2:00, we all got into our procession lines and headed upstairs. By that time, the Legislative Building was getting busy; all sorts of important personnel were arriving for the Throne Speech. The Pages arranged ourselves in two lines on either side of the hallway leading to the Chamber from the West Wing. As the hour up to the Throne Speech passed, me and my fellow pages stood there, greeting MPPs and guests alike with cheerful 'Hello!'s and 'Good Afternoon!'s. 

At five minutes to three o'clock, the mood in the room changed as the crowd settled down and entered the Chamber. Down in the West Wing, a group of people began to walk towards the Chamber. Led by a praised member of the Canadian Military, the Lieutenant Governor, Premier and Clerks walked down, passing by the two lines that the Pages made. 

The procession, which was followed by several other members of Militia, made its way past the main entrance to the Chamber to the Government Entrance in the East Lobby, and then went in to begin the Throne Speech.

At this point, the Pages and I had to go back to the Page Quarters; only invited members are allowed in the Chamber during the Throne Speech, and the Pages weren't invited members. We attentivelly watched the Throne Speech, projected on a Smart Board in our Quarters for the next fourty-five minutes until the Lieutenant Governor finished. 

The rest of our shortened day was spent learning in the Page Quarters. 

Overall, I'd say that I had an amazing, fun first day. I got to know the other wonderful Pages that will be serving alongside me for the next three weeks; I got an extra day to study and go over my materials (which is a huge plus!) and I got to experience some of the page's everyday life.

Tomorrow, not only will it be my first day serving in the Chamber but I will be a Page Captain; When the Speaker comes into the Chamber with the Sergeant-of-Arms and the Mace, two Pages accompany them. Tomorrow, I will be one of those pages.

I can't wait!

Anticipation

I begin my term of duty as a Legislative Page on Tuesday, February 19th, 2013.
That's tomorrow.

All this week I've been super excited to begin my term; I've been studying MPPs, watching the training video, reading my study materials and checking the Legislative Assembly of Ontario's site. I even practiced how to sit (ankles together, right hand draped over the left) and how to walk (back straight, swiveling on one foot when turning).

And now the time is here.

When I realized how close I was to finally get to serve at the Legislature, I was hit with a wave of worry; what happens if I forget an MPP's name when they are talking to me? What if I forget not to walk in between the Mace and the Speaker of the House? What if I spill my food on my uniform, and ruin it? What if?

Then I reminded myself the feeling of happiness I felt when I was told I had been accepted to the Legislative Page Program. I  reminded myself of how fun my orientation day was. I reminded myself how excited I've been in the last few weeks, of the relief I felt when I was told that the Legislature was resuming. I reminded myself how much I wanted to do this. I was accepted to the Page Program; I was good enough to get in, that must mean that I have nothing to worry about.

As I'm writing this, I'm not as worried as I was earlier today.

I'm excited; after half a year of waiting and studying, I'm finally getting to do what I applied for.

Tomorrow, I am a Legislative Page.

My MPP

Normally, a Legislative Page gets the chance to meet the Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) that represents the Riding that the Page is from, and even get to have lunch with them.

To help us prepare for an hour with our MPPs, as one of our assignments before we begin to serve at the Legislature, Pages need  to do some research and write four facts about their MPPs. As I was writing this, I realized; why don't I post them here, on my Page blog?

1. My MPP is Peter Shurman, whom represents Thornhill. He is a member of the Progressive Conservative (PC) Party.
2. Mr. Shurman has been representing Thornhill in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario for two terms, from October 2007-present.
3. As a member of the Opposition Party, Peter Shurman acts as a critique, questioning the how the Government is dealing with certain issues. He is responsible for critiquing the Liberal Party's plans on terms of Financial, Francophone and Toronto Affairs.   
4. Since most MPPs are in committees, so is my MPP. Currently, he is a Member on the committee on Finance and Economic Affairs. 

I am very excited to meet Mr. Shurman and socialize with him; I'll be sure to tell you about my experience when I meet my MPP. 

Orientation Day!!

 Friday, February 8th was a very special day for me. It was the day that I was finally going to meet the Legislative Page Program staff and the other Pages. It was the day I was going to get fitted in my Page uniform, the day I got to see the Page Quarters. It was the day of my Orientation.

My mother and I woke up at 6am, and were at the subway station by 7. An hour later we were sitting inside the Main Entrance of Queen's Park, being greeted by the Page Program staff. 

Then the rest of the Pages, their parents, my mum and I were all escorted upstairs to a room in the West Branch of the Legislative Building, where the Page Director, Manager and the Coordinator 'Officially Welcomed' us and explained the basics that we needed to know about the Page Program- such as the building's faculties, our uniform, non-partisanship, etc.

At around 10:15, the group split off; the male pages went to get fitted, and girls to get their security passes and the parents on a tour of the Legislative Precinct. 

When I was walking along with the other female pages, I managed to make some friends. The good thing about the Page Program is, everyone else there is really nice; they are all really good at working with other people, and a great people to be around. I loved meeting all of the other Pages on my orientation, and I can't wait to spend three weeks working alongside them. 

After we got our fancy security passes, the girl's group switched places with the boys and we got fitted.
While I was trying on my 3-piece uniform (consisting of pants, a vest, jacket, white shirt and jabot) the Page Program Director (Ms. LaMantia) came in, telling all of us to come and meet the Premier-Designate.
Ms. Wynne has already been sworn in as the Premier of Ontario, but at the time she was still the Premier-Designate.
So, the rest of the female pages and I all wandered through the Legislative Precinct, semi-dressed in our uniforms to meet the Premier.

Once we got back, we finished getting fitted and then had lunch, followed by a lesson in the classroom. There, the Page Coordinator/teacher further explained to us about being a Page; how to walk, how to sit, our homework for next week, etc. Then, we walked to the Legislative Chamber and got more lessons about the everyday life of a page; where we sit, where we stand, where we walk, where we do not walk, and how to pour water, as well as a ton more information.

Overall, I'd say that I had an amazing orientation day- it was tons of fun and entertaining. For those of you thinking of applying to the Legislative Page Program, if it is as great as my orientation day was, do it. You'll have an amazing time.

Oh, Sorry... but It's Not Happening. Or So You Think.

On October 16th, Dalton McGuinty resigned from his position as the Member of Provincial Parliament representing Ottawa South, the Leader of the Liberal Party and his job as the Premier of Ontario. When he did this, Mr. McGuinty also prorogued the 40th Legislative Assembly of Ontario- he postponed the Parliament's session. And because the Parliament wasn't going to be working, I wasn't going to either.

However, there was a silver lining to the heavy black cloud; if the Liberal Party elected a new Premier before I graduated eighth grade, my term would be rescheduled.

So, I waited. I went to school during the five week space that my term was supposed to occur on. Three months passed, and every once in a while, I'd check the large news companies from Toronto for any word about the Premier election. If anyone told me that they heard anything about the Liberal's party election, I would hold onto the rumor for dear life. I wanted, I needed the Parliament to resume; I had been accepted to the Legislative Page Program, this is what I wanted to do.

Friday, January 18th was an average P.A. Day for me; I slept in late, and then helped around the house until dinner time. I was cutting green beans for my mother when she turned to me and told me the words that made my day.
"Oh Daniella, I forgot to tell you; The Page Program called."

She explained to me that the Liberal Party will be electing their new leader in a week, and that my term of duty was rescheduled to February 19th.

I was ecstatic. Finally, after the roller coaster of ups and downs I was getting to serve as a Legislative Page.

Time to start studying again.