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AIP VIII: Making Headlines at Queen's Model Parliament
This past January I went - for my fourth and last time - to Queen's Model Parliament. This is an annual activity for the 300+ Queen's students that make a trek up to Ottawa (in the lovely middle of the winter) and make like MPs in the actual House of Commons. This year, instead of being an "MP", I was a "member of the press" - or more specifically, a fake Macleans Magazine. Along with four other "journalists" I wrote stories about what went on that day in the House and "news" (I know I am using "" a lot here) that I was given. We would then publish a daily paper of what went on. A great opportunity for us press members was the chance to meet Hugh Windsor at the Ottawa bureau of the Globe and Mail. I have considered journalism as a career for a long time now and that definitely really, really cool for me. Mr. Windsor is a great columnist and commentator (not to mention a Queen's grad). At the final dinner, the Minister of Human Resources and Development, Jane Stewart gave us a great speech on what it was like coming to Ottawa as a real MP (and what it is like coming under fire). I also received the "Golden Scrum Award" for being an enthusiastic (read: hyper) journalist and I was made a "senator" for participating in QMP for 3 or more years. My last QMP was certainly a great one :-D
On Febuary 8, the Queen's International Affairs Association presented Sir Andrew Burns - the British High Commissioner to Canada (which is basically the same thing as an ambassador - only they are called High Commissioners in Commonwealth Countries.) The High Commissioner, who has been the ambassador/high commissioner to several other countries, gave an interesting talk about Hong Kong, where he served after the transition to China in 1997. QIAA, of which I am on the executive, normally then treats the speaker for dinner out of appreciation for speaking to us. I was really nervous to be eating with the High Commissioner - I really wanted to sound like I have a brain (I like to fool people) and eat correctly. But there are so many rules when it comes to etiquette! I did a couple searches on the internet and came up with some tips - but I was still really nervous. I mean, I have been prone to doing silly things to diplomats before - like the time when I accidentally slugged the UN General Secretary when I turned around. Would I cause a diplomatic incident by speaking with my mouth full? So yeah, I was over reacting. But I was glad to see what a nice people the High Commissioner and his wife are. I was really impressed when they ordered chocolate ice cream for dessert. (Ice-cream really is the lingua franca of the world.) One of the other highlights of the evening was talking about what the British Consulate should do when Tony Blair, the British Prime Minister, comes to Canada. Everyone agreed that he should go to the Ottawa Canal and have a Beaver Tail - one of those Canadian-type foods that are really bad for you but are fantastic. The High Commissioner indicated that Mr. Blair can't skate. I offered to teach him since I figure skate - but they really didn't seem too keen on the idea. Can't win them all! Incidentally, you can learn about Sir Andrew Burns at the British High Commission's website: http://www.britain-in-canada.org/News/Release/Bios/hcbio.htm AIP X: Ahoy
Matey! I go aboard the It's been a really quiet summer for me activity wise. So I was happy to discover that I was in the right place at the right time for an invitation to sail from Oshawa to Hamilton on Her Majesty's Canadian Ship Kingston. The primary peacetime mission of the HMCS Kingston is surveillance and patrol of Canada's coastal waters and ports. This includes general naval operations and exercises, support of other government departments (like the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the Coast Guard, and the Departments of the Environment and Fisheries and Oceans. The ship is capable of resource protection, pollution control, and search and rescue. Also important, the HMCS Kingston was the first ship on the scene of the Swiss Air 111 crash. Last year I had the chance to tour the ship when it came to Kingston. So I was really delighted to have the chance to be on the ship when it was on the water. As far as navy ships go, the Kingston is pretty small - but it was certainly bigger than anything than I had ever been on. The weather was absolutely perfect as we made our 4 hour journey at about 10 knots. As we arrived in Hamilton, the crew demonstrated some of the capabilities and maneoverabilities of the ship. They also simulated a landing in hostile territory with "VIPs" on board the ship. (We got to play the VIP role.) We were even mocked challenged by two "hostile" ships. The crew was absolutely fabulous - and dealt very well with the nosy invaders of their ship. If you ever have a chance to tour a navy ship, I highly recommend it. Aside from having a great time, it's nice to know where your tax dollars are going.
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