Parliament

If there’s one thing you can’t miss in Ottawa, it’s the Parliament. First, because the capital is home to the country’s highest institutions. But also, just look at it, it’s an impressive building! In fact, it’s actually a collection of buildings, all spread across what is known as Parliament Hill. Right in front of you stands the Centre Block, but Parliament is also composed of the East Block on your right, the West Block on your left, and the building behind you, the Prime Minister’s office. The Parliament’s history is closely tied to the country itself, as it was established at the same time as the Canadian Constitution in 1867. Queen Victoria was the one to choose Ottawa as the capital. The Parliament was then built on this hill overlooking the Ottawa River. However, Canada’s full independence from the United Kingdom was not achieved until 1931. Parliament consists of the monarch, represented by a governor, 105 senators appointed by the governor, and the House of Commons, composed of 338 elected members. These three bodies work together in the legislative branch. While laws are enacted in the name of the king, in practice, he does not participate in the legislative process at all. The House of Commons and the Senate meet inside this elegant neo-Gothic style building, designed in 1927 by architects John Pearson and Jean-Omer Marchand. It was registered as a National Historic Site in 1976, then a Federal Heritage Building in 1987. At the center stands the Peace Tower, a 92-meter-high campanile featuring a clock. It was gifted to Canada by the United Kingdom to mark the 60th anniversary of Confederation. Its carillon is one of the oldest and most beautiful in the country. A symbol of Ottawa and Canada as a whole, the Peace Tower makes the Centre Block of Parliament an essential landmark—an emblem of Canadian democracy and national independence!