It may not be an auspicious start for the first civilian boss of the RCMP. But William Elliott has made it his business, shortly after being sworn in as commissioner, to corral the famous RCMP steeds on Parliament Hill.
For decades, the scarlet-clad riders and their signature dark horses have been a fixture in Ottawa, as much a symbol of Canada as the soaring Peace Tower in the background. But in our dare-I-eat-a-peach age of rampant liability and riskless travel, those fine horses are being kept from direct contact with a public that might, conceivably, be nibbled, trampled or slimed.
Actually, this was part of the report which broke the news to Canadians and their visitors just a couple of days ago: Since the beginning of this summer, the RCMP horses and their iconic red-clad riders have been confined to a corral behind the Parliament buildings that is open to the public.
“It’s pre-emptive, it’s proactive and we’re in no way limiting the access to the horse for the tourists on the Parliament Hill,” an RCMP spokeswoman, Sgt. Nathalie Deschênes, said Friday.
She added the decision was made after the RCMP’s musical ride staff realized that the public is not as accustomed to horses as it was three decades ago, when most people knew not to walk behind the horses or make sudden movements near them.
“People run to the horse, they grab the tail,” Deschênes said, adding that police were concerned that kind of horseplay could lead to an accident in the future.
So, for the first time in thirty years, there will not be the sound of shodden hooves on stone walkways. An icon of Canada will now be stabled, and I’d say we are all a little diminished by Commissioner Elliott’s choice. The word ‘gelding’ comes oddly to mind.
In any case, MPtv has captured some of the romance of the Mounties, and presents this interview with Constable Krista Millar of the RCMP musical ride. Constable Millar gives us her perspective on the famous ride, and a little background on “Ike” her four legged companion. Until the recent decision he was on duty at Parliament Hill. Constable Millar is a seven year RCMP veteran, loves her job, and says “never say never†when asked if she might arrest someone on horseback.
Even a civilian. Giving orders.
To view the video, click here.
29 comments ↓
More booga booga from The Black House!
Wasn’t the world made aware of Sadaam’s nookular WMD a few years ago, and Sadaam was a very naughty boy? Seems history repeats itself quite quickly!
http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/us-labels-irans-guards-terrorists/2007/08/15/1186857594672.html
G_d Damn those Conservatives !!!
I’m gonna vote Liberal next time fer sure. Thanks for that Garth.
Ride on Cowboy, yup and many tourist many not know this but “Wet Birds do not fly at night” give me a break, Just everything else on the face of this earth is more dangerous than a trained horse “Well Trained Hosre” hmmm; let me see cars, tractors, bkes, motor bikes, cross walks, steep stairs, rainy weather and even Canadain border gaurds with guns well you get it>
Give me a break….
Weak Garth, This is strictly a question of liability on the part of the tax payer and govt. They are correct there are a lot more “city slickers” that have no idea that you never approach a horse from the rear. This is actually a good pro-active approach, the horses can still be seen and petted but just in a safer manner. Then again on the flip side if one of those beautiful horses was to get spooked and kicked a young child in the forehead I suppose we go all then have something to slam Mr.Elliott for.
So, inch by inch – our Canadian traditions are being removed.
Wouldn’t it be simple to just advise the crowd not to startle the horses?
Don’t worry, our Canadian traditions will be maintained at all costs….even when there is nothing substantial left of our country. You will be able to see the Musical Ride, watch de hockey, and chow down on dem doughnuts to reassure you that there is still a Canada when it has been absorbed, harmonized, assimilated and blended into the North American Union.
____________________________________
Now on to more important topics du jour.
Demands for an economic bailout are ringing out. After the party, after the feasting, after the greed and smacking of lips and flipping of properties and stowing away of off-shore accounts and record markets…..I say, I say again, who is the Ultimate Bagholder of Last Resort?
You.
Even a civilian. Giving orders.
posted by Garth Turner on 08.15.07 @ 11:31 P.M.
Garth….If the boss doesn’t give the orders then who should? Apparently you don’t agree with Mr Elliott’s appointment.
Hm…The people have grown dumber than the horses in a mere three decades? No surprise their, the only horsepower most know about is tucked away under the hood of their EgoMachine. LOL
Get the facts right please!
The potential liability is that of a citizen slipping on horse manure. Elliott knows the public is exposed to enough manure already. Hell, in the clean streets of Toronto, the Police horses dump all over the place.
Mush for the masses? Mush little doggies, mush!
Too many pertinent questions being asked? Deflect and dodge, deflect and dodge.
I’m gonna float like a butterfly, and sting like a bee….
By Charles Oxley on 08.16.07 12:12 am
Charles, make sure and read my comment in Luck of ‘The Draw’ and this article Iraq news that speaks for itself
I guess after the SPP and NAU the mounties will be dressed like US Army Calvary..
By Pecked to death by ducks on 08.16.07 8:12 am
AMEN! (Leaves singing ‘Hotel California’…’They stabbed it with their steely forks, but they could not kill the Beast!’)
The potential liability is that of a citizen slipping on horse manure. Elliott knows the public is exposed to enough manure already. – Captain George.
Mt uncle had two 60 feet greenhouse in his garden. He swore by horse manure to make them grow.
Maybe the commish. could make some money for the RCMP by stooping and scooping (not to close though, might get kicked in the head) and selling the stuff.
On second thoughts, the CFIA might not approve. More red tape!
Oh come on Garth! You know darn well that if we read in the paper this morning that a child was killed by one of these horses, you’d be ranting about why didn’t this current RCMP leader look out for the safety of the public!
A kick from a horse can kill. People are stupid when it comes to animals, especially in the urban areas. They allow their young children to pull the horses tail, walk right up to the horse and squeal and jump around. Have you ever seen a spooked horse? Also, this move is for the protection of the animal. No matter how well trained the animal, if you put fear in them…they are gone! 50 years ago, people knew how to behave around a horse. Today, they simply don’t. I have watched horses in public where the kids actually slap the horses rump and yell ‘giddy up’! I have watched the animal struggle to maintain composure.
This was a smart move on the part of the RCMP. I would imagine there have been a few incidences where there have been close calls and they are acting now for the sake of the animal and the public. L
Yes, the dangerous steeds must be sequestered to protect the public, or God forbid
this could happen…Horrors!
She added the decision was made after the RCMP’s musical ride staff realized that the public is not as accustomed to horses as it was three decades ago, when most people knew not to walk behind the horses or make sudden movements near them.
What a load of poppycock!! It is nothing more than a way to save some costs. Too bad they can’t just be honest about it.
It’s nice to see Elliot applying some western horse sense down there in Ottawa. Put dem ‘orses in de corral and let them run all the day long in circles as a tribute to the one who’s name can never be spoken for appointing him to his high office as the Commish.
Yes, I can see it all now, we can even have wagons attached so they can be circled as well just to symbolize Canada’s Gnu Govt’s Policies and leadership style.
Way to go! yippee cayea!
Flaherty to release statement re. markets…hasn’t he learned yet? You don’t mess with the free markets.
She added the decision was made after the RCMP’s musical ride staff realized that the public is not as accustomed to horses as it was three decades ago
Sounds to me like Elliot simply consulted his staff and decided that it was safer to avoid a liability issue. Isn’t that what a good leader does Garth? Consult his staff? Kind of like Dion consulting his MPs?
Garth, you need a vacation.
Good show! Now that Canada’s New Government (TM) got rid of the RCMP horse patrols on the Hill, can Vancouver be far behind?
You should see the number of people who swarm the Vancouver Mounted Police, daily! There are kicked in heads lying around Stanley Park, as common as litter, “red tide” takes on a whole new meaning on the beaches, and they don’t call Gastown’s “Blood Alley” that for no reason!
It’s a veritable bloodbath out there, and people simply cannot understand that rushing a cop or his mount, or his dog even, is not a very good idea. Tourism is suffering greatly but there is very little reportage in the press here at home…
But the personal security of stupid people will trump public safety at any level, and I am sure many people will be happy to see the back of mounted police patrols.
The City is going bankrupt trying to settle the thousands of liability suits (the shoe renew department is faring a little better since it started to offset its costs by selling horse manure, some of which wound up at Emerson’s office I heard).
Thank goodness Canada’s New Government (TM) is thinking of the children. Or was that for the children? Maybe it was children thinking of the children… Now I’m all confused.
By Liz on 08.16.07 6:13 pm
It all okay because the Montreal Bureacrats have decided that their data on the bridges is more Top Secret than where Canada hides it nukes. The Quebec goobernment has even passed a law that the Ministry of Transport can refuse disclosure for 10 years.
Global National had a most revealing segment this evening. After looking at the horrid condition of their bridges, we have saved hundreds by eliminating Quebec from our travel plans.
Canada seems to have a very serious problem with writing laws that allow public entities to cover their arse and deny the public they serve access to information.
It tends to give an entirely new meaning to FOI, and I shall let your mind flow creatively with what that acronym may engender.
Emergency inspections of 105 overpasses!
Inspection and repair reports? You (we) don’t need no stinking inspection and repair reports!
Publicizing them could cause problems…
People might wait a long time for FOI requests…
Oh yeah?
No worries! Harper will give a bunch of money for Quebec voters to get their roads fixed IF they vote the RIGHT way.
Uh huh!
***
Thanks for the head’s up Bill, behind the time as I am I just barely caught the newscast out here. Nyuk nyuk.
How about changing Freedom of Information (FOI) to ZOIK (Zer-O Information Idiot, Knowitall)!
Or, Fark Our Independence.
Perhaps, Fill Out Information (and we’ll get back to you sometime).
Or the easily understandable, F* Off Idiot!
Maybe, Feelie Or Information? That option gives the citizen some idea of an actual choice…
Fill Out Information (FOI) and we’ll Flog Our Insights.
I’m all done. Thanks for the laughs. A sardonic laugh, but a laugh all the same.
I wrote a comment on the FOI theme, but it might take a while for it to appear, if it appears at all.
In part, I said a few things like:
FOI, Fark Our Independence
Fill Out the Information and we’ll get beack to you.
Hope the original post shows up.
Foo, Oyyy, I’m all outta time!
Hey Foo, get a real name eh? What are ya? Some sort of whack-a-mole standin? Don’t have something of your own to stand on? Do you just want to be someone else since you have nothing of your own? Are you part of some group? A bee in a hive? An ant in a pile? Just say anything and you have a chorus? Play your carols, but don’t usurp my name to your group-think. You might be fooling your brethren (those who you set out to fool for money or votes) but you’re not fooling me.
Did you get your butt scorched on the latest blog-atmospheric burn by being a pretender?
Don’t tell me that you’re one of those flamers who take over people’s names, got burnt by your own stupidity (vis a vis, the bozo who bragged about demanding a white-man cabbie) and are now trying it again here?
The sooner you and your leader figger out that most Canadians are on to your dirty tricks, the sooner you could get back to trying to find and elect someone who will stand up for your beliefs.
Good luck, and may all the gods and godesses bless.
If you do good work, you shall be rewarded.
If you attempt to do bad works in another’s name, God knows.
Stand up in your own boots, or lay down until some warrior falls who has your shoe-size, or IQ, and snag them. However you stand up, let it be in your own skin, and stand up straight!
Liz,
Keep going…Let your muse flow! LOL