Two weeks to vote on contents of legislature time capsule

Albertans interested in how our province looks to those who call Alberta home in the year 2112 have two more weeks to vote in an online poll determining what will fill a new legislature time capsule.

The new capsule, to be laid beneath the legislature’s cornerstone in 2013, is currently on track to include letters from Alberta students predicting what life will be like 100 years from now, coins of the 2012 vintage, photos and newspapers from 2012.

But those items could be replaced with sports memorabilia, tokens from the 100th anniversary of the Calgary Stampede, items honouring Alberta artists or sheet music of Alberta, the province’s official song from the 2005 centennial, to identity a few of the possibilities being voted on at http://www.assembly.ab.ca/100/.

Speaker Gene Zwozdesky said that the time capsule is important because it will connect generations of Albertans.

“The time capsule that Minister Klimchuk and I unearthed in June of this year afforded us a glimpse into our past,” Zwozdesky said in a news release. “Accordingly, the time capsule that we will place in the cornerstone next year will connect us with future generations, as we encase a lasting message for them about Alberta’s society today.”

Premier Alison Redford opened the original time capsule placed beneath the legislature’s cornerstone during the 100th anniversary celebrations of the building’s official opening in September. The worn copper box left in 1909 included old newspapers, a 25cent coin and a penny from the time. It also included a Bible, lists of political officials dating back to 1912 and blueprints of the building.

Visitors at those September festivities had a chance to vote on the future contents of the time capsule, in addition to writing their names and addresses on paper that will be included in the capsule too.

In addition to voting for existing ideas, provincial officials also said that Albertans can add suggestions to be voted on at the website.