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Parliament Hill - Background

Standing on Parliament Hill and overlooking the Ottawa River, the three gothic structures that comprise the home of Canada's government are perhaps the most recognizable buildings in the country. Originally built from 1859-65, the home of Canada's House of Commons and Senate offers free tours year round. The entrance to Parliament Hill is marked by the Centennial Flame, lit to celebrate the country's birthday in 1967. The centre of the hill is dominated by the 295-foot tall Peace Tower, which commemorates the nearly 67,000 Candians killed in World War One. During the summer, visitors can witness the Changing of the Guard daily at 10:00 AM, in which the dress, weapons and Trooping of the Colours are inspected between the old and new guards. 
Did You Know?
  • Canada's stone Parliament Buildings are adorned with intricate carvings, gargoyles and friezes. They've been called the "purest example of Gothic Revival architecture" in the Western Hemisphere. 
  • When the Parliament Buildings were built between 1857 and 1866, they were intended to house not only Parliament but the entire public service of Canada.] 
  • The original Centre Block of the Parliament Buildings burned down in 1916 in the midst of World War I. The cause of the fire has never been discovered. Theories of enemy conspiracy abound, but the most likely cause was a cigarette in the Reading Room. 
  • Parliament has two chambers: the elected House of Commons and the appointed Senate. By tradition, neither refers to the other chamber by name, but calls it "the other place". 
  • Normally, members are not called by their own names and are referred to as "the Honourable Member from...". If the Speaker calls you by name in the House of Commons, it is because you have broken the rules and risk being disciplined. 
  • The Peace Tower Carillon has 53 bells totalling 53,424 kg (60tons). The biggest bell weighs 10,080 kg (11tons) and the smallest one weighs 4.5kg (10lbs).
Representing Canadians, Shaping the Nation

A Federal System

 Canada is a federation where powers are shared between federal and provincial levels of government. Parliament is the decision-making body for the federal or central government. 

Parliament's Three Partners

Parliament has three parts: 

  • The Queen, represented by the Governor General 
  • The appointed upper house, called the Senate
  • The elected lower house, called the House of Commons. 
Consent of all three is required for any act to become law.

The House of Commons, the major law-making body, is made up of 301 members elected from ridings across the country. The leader of the party with the most seats is asked to become the Prime Minister. Although the Prime Minister is modestly called "the first among equals", he or she is in fact the head of the government and the most powerful political leader in Canada.

The Senate is an appointed body of 104 members. Senators represent regional interests and ensure that bills receive 'sober second thought' before they become law.

The Governor General, representing the Queen, is responsible for ensuring that Parliament proceeds and that Canada always has a Prime Minister. He or she opens Parliament, gives final approval to all laws in a ceremony called "Royal Assent", ends sessions, and dissolves Parliament for an election. Normally, the Governor General acts on the advice of the Prime Minister.

Parliament Hill Online Tour
See a Virtual Tour
 
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