NCPR News Staff: Lucy Martin, Reporter

The winter solstice marks a turning point, as the longest night of the year gives way to the return of spring and summer. No matter where people live, when it's frozen and dark outside, critical needs must be met: shelter and sustenance. Warmth and light. The company of others. Way up North, back in igloo times, the solution to most of that was the qulliq, or stone oil lamp. Although the qulliq has fallen out of general use, it's still a revered symbol of cultural ingenuity. Lucy Martin learned more about the care and use of an Inuit stone oil lamp, while thinking about qualities it still illuminates today.

Last week, Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper's minority government got a reprieve from a no-confidence vote, one that would have taken place today. On Thursday, Canada's Governor General granted Harper's request to essentially suspend Parliament, with a re-start set for late January. The close shave, along with the strategies employed by both sides of the power struggle, has thrust Canada into a vigorous debate over issues of democracy, leadership and national unity.
Lucy Martin has more.

While rumour has it they're close, Canada’s opposition parties deny they've struck a deal yet on a coalition that could force the sitting government out. The ruling Conservatives spent the weekend making a flurry of concessions, as they tried to placate the Liberals, New Democrats and Bloc Quebecois. It’s been a quick descent — Conservative Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, won a strengthened minority government less than two months ago. He campaigned on steady leadership for uncertain times and promised a new spirit of cooperation. But last Thursday Harper presented Parliament with a political land mine that exploded in spectacular fashion. The pieces haven't settled yet. Lucy Martin has more.

Almost every weekday at noon, a live concert begins in a control room near the top of Ottawa's Peace Tower. 53 bells peal forth and are heard for blocks around Parliament Hill. Music from Bach to the Beatles is performed on a carillon — a rare instrument where massive bells are controlled by touch-sensitive keys and pedals. Last summer, Gordon Slater retired after 31 years as Canada's official Dominion Carillonneur. Slater was only the 4th carillonneur since the position was established in 1927. A half-dozen non-Canadians tried out for the job. The winner was a family physician from Washington. Dr. Andrea McCrady gave her first official performance from the Peace Tower on November 3rd. Ottawa correspondent Lucy Martin was there when a smattering of appreciative listeners braved near-freezing temperatures on the national landmark's broad lawn, where huge throngs gather in warmer weather.

Canada’s Remembrance Day begins as crowds gather in Ottawa’s downtown. Tens of thousands - of all ages - and nearly everyone wearing a bright red poppy. It’s a somber occasion. Motorcades bring dignitaries: the Canadian Governor General, the Prime Minister, the Silver Cross Mother and more. There are no speeches from the politicians – just music, gun salutes, a prayer later on. The Air Force fly-over. And long rounds of applause as a shrinking parade of war veterans marches by. Lucy Martin paid her respects and sent in this audio montage from Canada's War Memorial in Ottawa.

The by-gone era of steamboats will be the focus of a public lecture offered twice this month in Manotick, Ontario. Local history buff Coral Lindsay has been absorbing the heritage of the Rideau corridor for more than 70 years. She told Ottawa correspondent Lucy Martin that a lot of it came naturally.

It wasn't hard to get comments on the U.S. presidential race from north of the border yesterday. Ottawa correspondent Lucy Martin talked to Canadians and tourists on Parliament Hill.

Pumpkins and Jack-o-Lanterns are a big part of the Halloween season. What about carving gourds? Long-time Canadian artist Claudette Hart began with watercolors and pottery. But about six years ago she discovered the fun of turning gourds into art. Now her home studio is one of the stops in an Ontario arts destination and she's become known as "The Gourd Lady of Merrickville." Ottawa correspondent Lucy Martin got a studio tour that included the backyard gourd shed to hear more about the possibilities contained in all those wonderful shapes.

On November 4, Americans will make their picks for the presidential ticket, members of the House and some Senators, plus state and local contests. U.S. voters are often faced with ballot initiatives too. Voters across Canada yesterday were only making one direct choice: a single vote for their local member of Parliament. But it was a vote to determine the next prime minister. Conservatives won enough of those races to return Stephen Harper to the post But Harper still fell short of the 155 seats needed to form a majority government. Ottawa correspondent Lucy Martin has more.

Families may pick different days to gather over the weekend, but today is the official Thanksgiving holiday in Canada. On Sunday, The Branch Restaurant in Kemptville, Ontario welcomed all comers for their second annual free Thanksgiving community dinner as a benefit for the local Salvation Army Food Bank. For transplanted Americans, holding Thanksgiving ahead of Halloween takes a lot of getting used to. But Ottawa correspondent Lucy Martin was only too happy to show up and sample the fare. Branch Chef Bruce Enloe talked about what's different and what's the same while getting ready to feed his adopted home town.