Lieutenant-governor opens doors to Government House

Hundreds wait in line to be presented to Mitchell during annual Jan. 1 tradition

EDMONTON Hundreds of people lined the staircase and lobby of Government House on Wednesday afternoon for a chance to meet Lt.- Gov. Lois Mitchell during what may have been her final New Year’s Day Levee.

“The worst thing you can do is be greedy and I think it is the biggest privilege to be the lieutenant-governor, especially in Alberta,” Mitchell said during the event. “There’s so many ideas I have and so many marvellous people that I’ve met and so many things that I think I can do when I’m not lieutenant-governor so I’m never gonna stop. My goal is to work until I’m 100.”

It is Mitchell’s fifth time hosting the annual Jan. 1 levee but could be her last since a lieutenant-governor’s term is defined as being “no less than five years.”

This June will mark the end of her fifth year in the role, though she could be extended for a longer term.

The tradition of the Queen’s top representatives in Canada holding levees was first organized as a social outing to welcome the new year and break up the monotony of long northern winters as early settlers met their government leaders.

Shades of the ceremony and circumstance are still present today as military members don their formal colours. Everyone who met Mitchell this year was “presented” to the lieutenant-governor and her accompanying honour guard.

As the public waited in line, they were also treated to a harpist and given the chance to write postcards to troops overseas.

“I think it’s a great example of how we do things in Canada and how every single citizen has an opportunity once a year to come in and have face time with the Queen’s representative in Alberta,” said Maj. Slade Lerch.

Once the doors were open to the public, there were newcomers attending their first levee as well as longtime attendees in line.

Betty Boychuk has been attending the levee for at least 20 years and was the first one in line to meet Mitchell.

“I just think it’s a wonderful way to start the new year. We live in such a great country, we’re truly blessed to be here,” said Boychuk.

I just think it’s a wonderful way to start the new year. We live in such a great country, we’re truly blessed to be here.