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A Sound Decision
In 1965 a recording system was installed in Alberta's
Legislature Chamber. With the new recording equipment,
audiotapes could be used to transcribe the
proceedings of the House. The Clerk's office was
responsible for providing the transcription service. At
first speeches were transcribed and printed only on special
occasions such as the throne speech or the budget debates, but
Members of the Assembly soon began requesting transcripts of
speeches made at other times during the proceedings.
Before long it became customary to record and transcribe question period on a daily basis.
Interest in Alberta's legislative transcripts grew. By 1971 there were so
many requests for transcripts that everything that went on in
the House was recorded just to keep ahead of the demand.
It
became clear that Alberta needed a complete parliamentary
transcript. News reporters joined in the call for a comprehensive
written record of legislative proceedings.
Before Alberta would
adopt a Hansard, there were many questions to
answer. What form would the publication take? How much would it
cost? What editorial practices would guide its production?
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