The federal government is housed in Canada's Parliament Buildings in Ottawa. The structures, designed in the Gothic revival style, formally inaugurated on June 6, 1866, roughly a year before Confederation.
The buildings were constructed under the supervision of the Office of the Supervising Architect (OSA) for the Canadian Government until it was abolished in 1870 by the Department of Justice. They continue to serve as the main workplace of the government ministers and officials. In addition, they host many public events throughout the year including question periods in the House of Commons and proceedings in the Senate.
In addition to serving as the national capital region's premier meeting place, the Parliament Buildings have been adapted for other purposes such as offices, museums, and galleries. One of the most famous examples is the Peace Tower which serves as the official residence of the prime minister. It is located at the entrance of the grounds of the Parliament Buildings.
Since 2005, new rules have allowed Canadians who are legally blind or visually impaired to access all parts of the Parliament Buildings with equal rights and privileges. Previously, these individuals were denied access because their guide dogs were seen as an aid rather than a legal walking-stick partner.
The Canadian Parliament is housed in the Parliament Buildings in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (the Senate and House of Commons). The Gothic Revival-style structures were officially inaugurated on June 6, 1866, nearly a year before Canada's Confederation. The buildings were designed by English architect Edward George Hillier.
Although Canada is a federal state, its capital city is not one of its provinces but rather it's a federal district: Ottawa. Thus, the Parliament Buildings are part of the national heritage since they represent "an important example of Victorian architecture in Canada."
These days, tourists can visit both the Senate and House of Commons chambers during their daily tours. They offer a unique opportunity to see how our elected officials make decisions that affect everyone living in Canada.
Are you interested in how your government works? Do you love history? If you answered yes to either of these questions, then visiting the Canadian Parliament is a must!
There are two ways to get into the Parliament Buildings: with an included tour or on your own via self-guided audio guides. Both options are highly recommended because there is so much to see inside the walls of this historic landmark.
The cost for an included tour is $20 CAD ($15 USD), which includes admission into both the Senate and House of Commons chambers.
A panel of inquiry reviewed the project's management flaws in June 1862. The next year, construction will restart. The Dominion of Canada was established on July 1, 1867. The Parliament Buildings in Ottawa, which are still under construction, will become the seat of government for the four provinces of Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia. The new buildings are expected to be completed in time for the Confederation Day celebrations on July 1, 1868.
In total, there will be five buildings on the site of the present Parliament Hill. The first three, now known as Old Government Houses, were constructed between 1791 and 1816. The fourth building, designed by George Duggan and William Davis, is known as the Victoria Building after the queen at the time of its completion in 1872. It will contain offices, a museum, a library, and a gallery. The fifth and final building, designed by Alfred Thomas William Bell, will house the legislative and judicial branches of government. It is expected to be finished in time for the Confederation Day festivities in 1872 as well.
The design of all five buildings is based on the English Inigo Jones classic order style. They will be built using local materials, including limestone, brick, and wood. The grounds will include gardens, trees, and an ornamental lake with a fountain at its center. A bridge will connect the eastern and western ends of the property so that members of the House of Commons can travel between them without leaving their seats.
The Parliament Buildings, the seat of Canada's federal government, are magnificent and aesthetically appealing buildings set on a peninsula overlooking the Ottawa River. The original structure was built from 1824 to 1856, after which it was destroyed by fire. During this time period, the British government was responsible for building and maintaining public buildings in the colonies. The current Parliament Buildings were designed by the Canadian architect Louis-Philippe Hébert.
Canada's legislatures have not always been located in single buildings. Originally, they met in various towns across the country. However, after the destruction of the old parliament buildings by fire, there was no choice but to build anew. The new Parliament Buildings were designed by Sir William Henry Harrison and were completed in 1856. These buildings served as the national capital until 1870 when the current city of Ottawa was established near the shores of the Ottawa River. The Parliament Buildings have been the center of political controversy numerous times since their construction. Most recently, they has been the site of protests by indigenous Canadians against the expansion of oil pipelines through their territories.
The Parliament Buildings are important to understanding the history of Canada because they show how politics have changed over time while still remaining important. For example, when Parliament reconvenes after an election, it usually does so in a new legislative chamber constructed specifically for that purpose.
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