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Parliament Hill, Ottawa

Parliament Buildings - East Block, Ottawa - Ottawa
Parliament Buildings - East Block, Ottawa
by sunnywong
Parliament Hill tips and photos posted by real travelers and Ottawa locals.
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Parliament Hill: Canada's Capital
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  • Bwana_Brown
  • Updated By Bwana_Brown on October 25, 2008
  • Ottawa Page by Bwana_Brown
  • In front of the Centre Block and Peace Tower - Ottawa
    In front of the Centre
    Block and Peace Tower
    by Bwana_Brown,
    3 more photos
    At the modest peak of Parliament Hill stand both the Centre Block and a separate Peace Tower. This is where the Canadian government carries on its daily business in both the House of Commons and Senate Chambers portions of the building. The original building and its Victoria Tower were completed on this site in 1878 but were subsequently destroyed by a fire in 1916. The present structures, completed by 1927, are the replacements for those originals, using the Gothic Revival style of architecture similar to that used in Britain's capital.

    Because reconstruction was started in the middle of the First World War, the Peace Tower was named to honour the thousands of Canadian men and women who sacrificed their lives for Canada during that war. The 92-m (300-ft) tower is constructed of sandstone from a nearby quarry and it houses both a clock and a carillon for chiming out tunes on its various bells. I was impressed by the four gargoyles jutting out from high above, with these 2.5-m (8-ft) rainspouts being carved from Quebec granite (3rd pic).

    As we continued our walk to the left, around to the Ottawa River side of the building, we came upon one of the few relics of the first Parliament building, a large bell (4th pic) that had originally been installed in the Victoria Tower in 1877. It shows a few dents and scars from its ordeal, but has been lovingly restored to a new place of rest, sitting at an angle just the way it was found after the fire of 1916.

    Security at the Parliament Buildings was unobtrusive, no concrete barriers, fences, soldiers or para-military guards barred the public from wandering in off the streets. All there was were a couple of Mounties sitting in their cars in the expansive area in front of the Centre Block. We walked up and opened one of the huge doors for a look inside, but there was a security guard inside and a sign pointed to a different Visitor's Entrance off to one side. However, we had child-minding duties coming up shortly, so gave it a miss.

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  • Phone: 1-800-0Canada
  • Directions: Beside the Library of Parliament Building on the Ottawa River side of the Centre Block
  • Website: http://www.parliamenthill.gc.ca/text/hillcam-e.htm
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    Parliament Hill: A couple of Parliament Hill statues
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  • Bwana_Brown
  • Updated By Bwana_Brown on March 29, 2008
  • Ottawa Page by Bwana_Brown
  • Queen Elizabeth & her RCMP horse - Ottawa
    Queen Elizabeth & her RCMP
    horse
    by Bwana_Brown, 1 more photos
    Just as we had finally almost completed our circle and were back to the East Block building, we came across two statues that piqued our interest on this beautiful 16 C (60 F) day. The first was a recent (1992) statue dedicated to Queen Elizabeth II on the occasion of Canada's 125th birthday. The work, led by Canadian artist Jack Harman, took two years to complete and shows Her Majesty mounted on her horse Centennial. This horse had been presented to Queen Elizabeth by the Mounties in 1977 in celebration of the 25th year of her rule. Centennial was also ridden by President Ronald Regan during a 1982 visit with the Monarch at Windsor Castle.

    We had only walked a bit further before we came across a group of statues depicting women in early 1900s garb. From the Parliament Hill web site: "Inaugurated on October 18, 2000, this monument entitled 'Women are Persons!' is a tribute to Nellie McClung, Irene Parlby, Emily Murphy, Louise McKinney and Henrietta Muir Edwards. Known as the Famous Five, these women won the 'Persons' Case, a 1929 court ruling which legally declared women as persons under the British North America Act and made them eligible for appointment to the Canadian Senate." The five separate sculptures were created by another Canadian artist, Barbara Paterson and were donated to the Canadian government. Irene Parlby, the last of the five immortalized women, died in 1965 aged 97. Several tourists from India were taking photos of themselves there, so I offered to take a group photo for them. They reciprocated for Sue and I, but I am not sure which one of the ladies we chose to pose with!

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  • Phone: 1-800-0Canada
  • Directions: Between the East Block and the Rideau Canal
  • Website: http://www.parliamenthill.gc.ca/text/hillcam-e.htm
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    Parliament Hill: Tour the Parliament Buildings....
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  • Greggor58
  • Updated By Greggor58 on May 9, 2008
  • Ottawa Page by Greggor58
  • Parliament Buildings,Ottawa,Ontario,Canada. - Ottawa
    Parliament
    Buildings,Ottawa,Ontario,Canada.
    by Greggor58, 4 more photos
    Its a fairly common thing to do if youre visiting Ottawa and you've never done it before...

    Because tour times, routes and schedules are subject to change without notice,there are no specific tour departure times and visitors must line up and agree to a security scanning...Tours of the Centre Block begin in the Visitor Welcome Centre located on the ground floor under the Peace Tower.

    The Center Block is where the House of Commons sits as well as the Senate of Canada..in addition to the Center Block....there is a West Block as well as an East Block...all separate structures.There is also another structure...attached to the Center Block....the Library of the Parliament of Canada.There is also another structure...the Peace Tower that is attached to the Center Block but in fact is a separatate structure.

    The Peace Tower is in fact a free standing bell tower that stands in front of the Center Block and is named "The Peace Tower" in honour of the men and women that sacrificed they're lives in the First World War.At the top of the Tower there is an observation deck,a carillon and a Memorial Chamber that houses Books of Remembrance of Canada's War dead.

    There are Books of Remembrance on display here from each of Canada's armed conflicts...The First World War,The Second World War,the Korena Conflict and I believe the War with the Boers in South Africa.As well there are Books of Remembrance listing those who died while serving in the Merchant Navy and "In the Service of Canada".
    Each day a page is turned in each of the books....and it is possible to find out quite easily what day exactly any particular name will be able to be viewed in either of these Books.All you need to do is contact the Veterans Affairs of Canada.....www.vac-acc.gc.ca.<br />
    The Parliament Buildings as they are seen today are not the original structures except for the Library Building.There was a fire that wiped out the Center Block in 1916 so what you are seeing today is in fact not the original building but a structure that was completed in 1922.

    The West and East Blocks were completed in the mid 1860's and are incredible buildings.

    Presently the West Block is under a major renovation requiring work that will take a number of years to complete.
    Until the renovation started it was occupied by Ministers, Members of Parliament and their staff.

    The East Block contains many senators' offices, as well as some rooms re-created in the style of the early years of Confederation.

  • Address: Wellington Street,Ottawa,Ontario,Canada.
  • Phone: 1 8ØØ O-Canada OR 1 800 622-6232
  • Website: http://www.parliamenthill.gc.ca/text/home_e.html
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    Parliament Hill: Parliament Buildings
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  • jamiesno
  • By jamiesno on October 28, 2004
  • Ottawa Page by jamiesno
  • Parliament Hill from the Ottawa River - Ottawa
    Parliament Hill from the
    Ottawa River
    by jamiesno, 8 more photos
    With its strong stone exterior and picturesque setting on the cliffs overlooking the Ottawa River, the Parliament buildings are often described as one of the most beautiful government centres in the world. The buildings are home to the House of Commons, the Library of Parliament, the Hall of Honour, the Senate, and the impressive Peace Tower. Summer on the hill features the Changing of the Guard Ceremony.

    During my visit they were also have a highly light show at now cost, it was beautiful there in the warm summer nights enjoying the light and symphony show.

    If you are in the national capital of Canada it goes without saying you will see these buildings but take the time to explore them.

    I also took in a session of parliament, it was at a time when the Minister of Human Resourcs and Development Canada was taking a beating for a national boon-doggle. It was very heated and an eye opener for sure to see how the parliament works. I enjoy politics in general anyway and you should too!!! :-)

    The web site below gives you a virtual tour and explains what each specific building contains.

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  • Phone: 1-800-0Canada
  • Website: http://www.parliamenthill.gc.ca
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    Parliament Hill: The lone Survivor
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  • Bwana_Brown
  • Updated By Bwana_Brown on October 30, 2006
  • Ottawa Page by Bwana_Brown
  • Library of Parliament from Ottawa River side - Ottawa
    Library of Parliament
    from Ottawa River side
    by Bwana_Brown,
    2 more photos
    To me, the most impressive building on Parliament Hill was the Library of Parliament that had been built over a period of several years (1860-1876) as part of the original buildings on the hill. It survived the great fire of 1916 by virtue of the fact that the first Parliamentary Librarian had recommended during the design stages that it be connected to the main Centre Block building by a stone corridor to protect it from possible fire damage. When the dreaded event actually did take place, a quick-thinking employee in the Library closed its massive wooden connecting door before evacuating, thereby saving this building from being destroyed. The fire-damaged bell from the original Victoria Tower is now situated on the lawns close to the Library of Parliament.

    The circular design of this Gothic-style building is modelled on the Reading Room of the British Museum (built in 1857) and features a ring of sixteen flying buttresses, pinnacles, decorative windows and beautiful ornamental ironwork. The Library building is crowned by a circular lantern. Apparantly the ornate wooden interior is quite spectacular as well, but we did not have time for a full tour. Most of these details are from "www.parliamenthill.gc.ca".

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  • Phone: 1-800-0Canada
  • Directions: Parliament Hill
  • Website: http://www.parliamenthill.gc.ca
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    Parliament Hill: Centennial Flame & Peace Tower
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  • Wolverine_13
  • By Wolverine_13 on December 29, 2003
  • Ottawa Page by Wolverine_13
  • Centennial Flame - Ottawa
    Centennial Flame
    by Wolverine_13
    Canada's Parliamentary system is modelled after the one in Great Britain, but it has evolved in a somewhat different direction due to Canada's federal nature. Members of Parliament are elected from 301 geographically based "constituencies" (also called "ridings") from across the country. They are seated in the House of Commons by party. Normally, except in unusual circumstances of coalition, the party with the most seats forms the government, and the one with the second most seats is the official opposition. The Cabinet, chosen from members of the governing party by the Prime Minister, initiates most major legislation in cooperation with the bureaucracy. Currently there are five parties in the House and one independent member.
    The Senate is a hybrid of the British House of Lords and the American Senate, but is more like the former. Senators are appointed by the Prime Minister and stay until age 75, regardless of which party is in government. Many Canadians, especially in the West, would like to see the Senate democratically elected.

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    Parliament Hill: Parliament Hill
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  • richiecdisc
  • Updated By richiecdisc on November 14, 2003
  • Ottawa Page by richiecdisc
  • Parliament Buildiings in Ottawa - Ottawa
    Parliament Buildiings in
    Ottawa
    by richiecdisc
    Though there are many sights to hold your interest in Ottawa, with only one day to explore, it is best to head right up to the Parliament Hill and enjoy the views down over the river and perhaps the most spectacular architecture in the Province. Built in the mid-1800s and destroyed in 1916, the restored buildings have a much older world feel than they in fact are. Though the most touristy spot in town, in late September, it was not overly crowded and quite pleasant to explore.

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  • Phone: 1-800-0Canada
  • Directions: Impossible to miss.
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    Parliament Hill: Parliament Buildings
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  • mim95
  • Updated By mim95 on October 9, 2003
  • Ottawa Page by mim95
  • Central Block, Parliament Buildings - Ottawa
    Central Block, Parliament
    Buildings
    by mim95
    It's a complex of three Gothic style buildings, originally built in 1866. The Centre Block has a 92m tower, called Peace Tower, dedicated to the Canadians killed in WWI. The tower contains an observation deck which provides a great view of the city. Guided tours of the Central Block and East Block are available in the summer.

    The changing of the guard takes place daily at 10am in the summer.

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    Parliament Hill: The cat shack
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  • Carmanah
  • Updated By Carmanah on June 1, 2003
  • Ottawa Page by Carmanah
  • A stray cat at the cat shack on Parliament Hill - Ottawa
    A stray cat at the cat shack
    on Parliament Hill
    by Carmanah
    Located behind the western wing of the Parliament building is a little shack. The shack is home to dozens of stray cats. I don't know how long this shack has been up here for, but it seems like it's been there for quite a long time.

    There is an old man who feeds and looks after these cats. He has named them all. I was there when he was feeding "Blanchette" and her kitten "Bébé". Sometimes he'd play games with the cats... throwing a shelled peanut onto the ground, where the cat would sneak up and attack it. Then a squirrel would come along, steal the peanut, carry it away, and eat it. And sometimes he would take a bag of dried catnip and sprinkle it over the grass, where the cats would rush over and roll around in ecstasy. It's a good thing that man cares for the cats.

    You'll know you're at the cat house because there will be cat-sized wooden sheds, many dishes full of cat food, and of course, the cats! But what I found notable about the cat shack was its location on Parliament Hill, literally a stone's throw away from the Parliament building. If this was any other country, do you think they would allow such a thing to exist on the national capital's property? A homemade cat shelter on the federal property's garden? I highly doubt it.

    Yet another reason why Canada's not so bad. ;)

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  • Directions: Behind the west wing of the Parliament Building, on Parliament hill
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    Parliament Hill: Parliament Hill
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  • Carmanah
  • Updated By Carmanah on May 25, 2007
  • Ottawa Page by Carmanah
  • Parliament Building and the Eternal Flame - Ottawa
    Parliament Building and
    the Eternal Flame
    by Carmanah,
    4 more photos
    Ottawa is the capital city of Canada, and like every capital city has its main political building, Ottawa has the Parliament Building - the building where the Prime Minister works, where all the MP's, premiers, and representatives from every province and territory come to discuss, debate and ask questions... to bring in new laws, new policies, and to do all the other things politicians do to run a country!

    The Parliament Building offers a free tour which is a must see activitiy if you want to understand how politics work in Canada. The tour could explain it better than I could! Taking a tour is also a great way to appreciate the gothic architecture of the building. If you're a fan of stone masonry and gargoyles, you'll love this place!

    Sit in during a debate during the question period, or take the elevator up to the top of the Peace Tower. Identify the provinces and territories that surround the Eternal Flame, or watch the old man feed the stray cats behind the west wing of the building.

    The Parliament Building sits up top Parliament Hill - a giant public lawn with statues of famous Canadian icons and politicians (ie: Queen Elizabeth II, Queen Victoria, Sir Wilfred Laurier, Sir John A Macdonald, William Lyon Mackenzie King, etc).

    While the tourists tend to do the tour of the building, the locals will bring their blankets, frisbees, dogs, and picnic lunches, and just sit out on the front lawn, basking in the sunshine.

    The Parliament Building is the focal point, architecturally, of Ottawa, but it's certainly not all there is to the city. A visit to Parliament Hill is ideal in the morning as it's a close walk away to many more local attractions, whether it be Byward Market, the National Gallery, the War Museum, Chateau Laurier, Rideau Canal, or the river walk. Either way, Parliament Hill is an ideal place to start.

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  • Phone: (613) 996-0896
  • Directions: At the northern end of Metcalfe Street at Wellington, downtown Ottawa.
  • Website: http://www.parliamenthill.gc.ca
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