Here Come da Judge!

Sure sign of Spring, the bikes are back!!

With the weather warming up, so are the angry feelings of protesters across Canada. It seems every time I go for a walk (and my route consequently goes right by the Parliament grounds) there are people on the lawn with signs and mega-phones shouting for justice.

One walk I saw a lot of First Nations people supporting the "Idle No More" movement. A dozen teens or so trekked across Quebec to the Parliament to make a stand about their rights being stripped away.  (They no longer need the majority of Elders consent to put up Casinos and other businesses on their land). Stephen Harper was busy greeting Pandas from China, needless to say, they weren't too happy about that.

Idle No More! The Spirit of Protesting is in the air! I could really get into this!

Another time I saw a lot of teens (TONS) on the Parliament grounds and a funny smell. Oh maybe they are against the government and ageism, and deodorant. Nope. I asked a few of these nice kids what all the hub-bub was all about. "It's annual 4.20 day!" Of course.

Then we turned the corner and in front of the United States Embassy building was another gathering of protestors. They were upset about Christians in Egypt being persecuted.    

Protestors to your left, US Embassy building to your right.

Lastly, just the other day Little Dragon and I were out, headed to the Supreme Court for a tour (for the second time, but that's another story you will read about) and there were chanting and drumming. So we went on the grounds to get a closer look. First Nation people were there to celebrate Earth Day! Little Dragon loved the singing, he started to sing along. With the warmer weather I don't feel as bored. There is always something going on in Ottawa to shout/sing about!

                                                           

Story #2

I thought it was about time to pay a little visit to a certain Supreme Court of Canada. Little Dragon and I made the 45 minute walking trek from one province to the next over the great Alexandra Bridge only to be told that we needed to book a tour ahead of time. They only give tours on the hour (half hour for French tours) from May to September. Any time other than that you must book over the phone, whether it is for personal interest or school.

I got on the phone and booked a tour for the following Monday. Done. We were welcome to look around on the main floor and see pictures of the current Supreme Court judges and a room full of head shots of past judges. Fun! So many of them looked like they had something up their butts. It's a picture, you should smile people!

After peeking through the pictures, Little Dragon and I were ready to make like a baby and head out. That's Big Guys favorite saying since seeing the birth of his son. Yikes.

A police officer was to escourt us to the exit. We couldn't go out (or in) the main entrance because we have a stroller so we were to exit through the VIP, wheelchair friendly backdoor. I told the guard and pointed to the way we had entered. He insisted that he knew a different exit and we went down another elevator. I was curious to see where he was taking us and looked around at the offices and the gold plated names on the walls and the important looking people sitting behind desks with their black robes hung on hangers. I got to make awkward eye contact with four judges! They were looking at me like, "What is this lady and a baby doing down here?"

Turns out police officer Jacques did not know the building very well. We walked by a little courtyard area and then hit a dead end. Which meant we had to walk back by the Honorable offices once more. I explained to Little Dragon that he was a lucky little guy getting a backstage tour of the judges offices that most people never get.

Jacques and I made our way back to the main floor and eventually took the correct way out. Might I add, that I was right. Over the duration of our 15 minute walk I found out that Jacques was retiring from the police force in two weeks and he really didn't take his job at the court too serious. He had spent 7 years in Edmonton amongst other places, his wife is a kindergarten teacher and he has two kids ages 30 and 35. No grandbabies yet.

I had a feeling when we returned our REAL tour, wouldn't be nearly as interesting. 

Daughter of Saturn, Mother of Virtue, Goddess of TRUTH.

The statue representing JUSTICE is tres creepy!

The following Monday we got a one-on-one tour from, Eric, a 2nd year Law student in the French Common Law program. He showed us the Federal Court of Appeal (there are two in the Supreme Court building, but they usually just hold hearings in the other Courthouse downtown).

And we finally got to see the actual Supreme courtroom. I was shocked at how small the courtroom is. I was thinking there would be stadium seating and balconies. Like at least as large as the ones you see on TV, right? But no. It is smaller than a church room. Fits maybe 100 spectators, as every court case is open to the public. You can even see the schedule on-line to see what's on the docket and attend the juiciest ones! I don't know how well the 9 judges would tolerate a screaming Dragon in their court. And I am not one to take the chances to find out. There is no where to hide in there!

Inside the Supreme Courtroom. 9 chairs for 9 judges. The Chief Justice sits in the middle. You have been selected to appeal your case at the highest level possible! Come on DOOOOOWN!!

We got our tour and were happy. And even saw Jacques again. Yup, it's official. Little Dragon has already committed an offense by disarming a police officer. 

Notice Little Dragon pulled out Jacques earpiece. Don't eat it! NOOOO!