🍁2026-06-13, The Alberta Legislature’s Union Jack has gone missing again from above the west wing public entrance since June 7. The first time it disappeared was under the Jason Kenney government in 2021. It was cut down from its flagpole and remained missing for the entire month of November — Remembrance Day month.
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Art is Freedom
On Guard for Thee
God Bless America, God Save the King
The Story Winds
Faith, Democracy, and Nature
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2026-06-13, The Painter Notes: In the socialistic extremes of Edmonton, news travels like gusts of wind. And on this bright June Saturday morning, the wind carried a curious tale all the way from the Alberta Legislature. The proud Union Jack that had flown for years above the west wing public entrance had disappeared again. It was gone since June 7 — removed from its flagpole for maintenance, one AUPE Sheriff claimed just like it had been back in 2021. Even during Remembrance season it had once vanished for a whole month. Now the empty space above the entrance felt strangely quiet. The vegetables gathered beneath the old Diamond Willow to discuss it. “This feels familiar,” sighed one wise old Crow. “Someone keeps taking the flag,” whispered Baby Pea. “What should we do?” asked the carrots in unison. Broccoli heARTS stepped forward, his green florets already forming tiny heart shapes out of habit. “We can’t bring the flag back from here,” he said gently, “but we can send a little heart and a little flavor their way.” That was when the great friendly debate began. Team Exploding Cheddar Broccoli heARTS Soup argued for something warm, local, and full of heart. A creamy, golden cheddar broth bubbling so hard that the cheese literally explodes upward in glorious pulls when you stir it. Heart-shaped broccoli florets (shaped by Broccoli heARTS himself) floating like little green flags of comfort. Hearty, honest, and made for cozy evenings when people need to talk about history. Team Italian Mozza Pizza championed something classic, stretchy, and shared. Thin, blistered crust from a wood-fired spirit, bright tomato sauce, and mountains of bubbling mozzarella that pulls into long strings.
Fresh basil on top like little green flags of its own. Elegant, generous, and perfect for bringing people together around one big table. To settle the matter with kindness, the garden held a midnight cook-off under the stars. Broccoli heARTS carefully arranged heart-shaped broccoli in the soup pot while the cheese volcano erupted with joyful drama. On the other side, the pizza team folded maple-leaf-shaped tomato slices into the mozzarella for a Canadian touch. The moka pot drawing that had mysteriously appeared near the missing flag in some reports was placed proudly in the center like a tiny Italian ambassador. Steam rose. Cheese stretched and exploded. Laughter filled the garden. When the tasting was done, everyone agreed on one beautiful truth: The Exploding Cheddar Broccoli heARTS Soup won for pure heart, comfort, and that dramatic cheesy moment that makes you smile no matter what news the wind brings. The Italian Mozza Pizza won for timeless sharing, stretchy joy, and the feeling that good food can bridge any distance. So they declared it a perfect tie — and decided the best way to honor the missing flag was to enjoy both. That very night they built a little “Chapter House” corner in the garden. They hung a beautiful framed replica of the Union Jack (with plenty of extra hearts drawn on by Broccoli heARTS) and placed the small red box with the moka pot drawing right in front of it, just like in the curious photograph that had traveled on the wind. Whenever the real flag returns to the Alberta Legislature — or even if it takes a little longer — the Enchanted Alberta Legislature Gardens will keep sending warmth, cheese explosions, stretchy mozzarella, and big heARTS across the miles. Because nations and flags may come and go, but stories of kindness, and good food…those remain forever.🍁US.
