Visitor News
Exhibit - Foundations: The Words That Shaped Canada
Bag restrictions / New Ticketing Location
Bag restrictions / New Ticketing Location
Parliament of Canada
Plan a visit to parliament
Visitor News - Details
Foundations: The Words That Shaped Canada
To celebrate the 150th anniversary of Confederation, a selection of Canada's foundational documents are on display in a new exhibit in the Library of Parliament. This special exhibit, completed in partnership with Library and Archives Canada, can be seen as part of a guided tour of Centre Block.
Bag Restrictions
Visitors are permitted to bring one bag into the Parliament Buildings, measuring no more than 35.5 cm x 30.5 cm x 19 cm (14” x 12” x 7.5”). All other personal belongings may be stored free of charge at 90 Wellington Street.
A New Way to Visit Parliament Begins September 2018
Visit the new homes of the Senate and House of Commons starting next September. After Centre Block closes its doors for rehabilitation, tours of Parliament will be available in the newly renovated Government Conference Centre and West Block buildings. Visitors may reserve tour tickets online and learn more about the new tour options starting May 2018.
Parliament is located at 111 Wellington Street in downtown Ottawa. Contact us at 613-992-4793 (local),
1-866-599-4999 (toll-free) or info@parl.gc.ca.
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- Opening hours vary depending on the day and time of your visit. Please consult Centre Block Guided Tour departures for up-to-date information.
- Centre Block is open for tours year-round. East Block is open from July to early September.
- Access to the buildings cannot be guaranteed and schedules are subject to change without notice.
- Parliament is closed on Christmas Day (December 25), New Year’s Day (January 1) and Canada Day (July 1).
- Hours of operation for the ticketing centre at 90 Wellington Street:
- May 15 to June 30, 2017
Weekdays: 9:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Weekends: 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. - July 2 to September 4, 2017
Daily: 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. - September 5, 2017, to May 14, 2018
Weekdays: 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Weekends: 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
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- All visits to Parliament are offered free of charge.
- Tickets for guided tours and the Peace Tower and Memorial Chamber are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Groups of 10 people or more who wish to take a guided tour must reserve in advance.
- Individuals and groups with fewer than 10 people can get same-day tickets as of 9 a.m. daily.
- Tickets are distributed at 90 Wellington Street, across from Parliament Hill.
- Demand for tickets is highest in the summer months, which may result in limited availability.
- For information on guided tours and other visitor options, please see Visit.
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- Only one (1) bag smaller than 35.5 cm x 30.5 cm x 19 cm (14” x 12” x 7.5”) is permitted per visitor.
- Visitors carrying any item that exceeds these dimensions will be denied entry.
- Loose items from the cargo areas of strollers and/or wheelchairs are not permitted.
- There is a free bag check service at 90 Wellington Street. Items that are larger than 35.5 cm x 30.5 cm x 19 cm (14” x 12” x 7.5”) must be checked prior to entering Parliament.
- Hours of operation of the bag check service:
- September 6 to October 31, 2016
Weekdays: 7:45 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Weekends: 7:45 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. - November 1, 2016, to May 15, 2017
Weekdays: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Weekends: 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. - May 16 to June 30, 2017
Weekdays: 7:45 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Weekends: 7:45 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. - July 2 to September 4, 2017
Daily: 7:45 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
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- Bags and other personal belongings may be stored free of charge at 90 Wellington Street.
- Souvenirs are available at the Parliamentary Boutique.
- Washrooms are available inside Parliament and at 90 Wellington Street.
- There are no food services on-site. For a list of restaurants in the downtown area, please consult Ottawa Tourism.
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- All visitors are required to go through security scanning and line-ups are to be expected.
- Alternate security arrangements can be made for visitors with pacemakers.
- Only one (1) bag smaller than 35.5 cm x 30.5 cm x 19 cm (14” x 12” x 7.5”) is permitted per visitor. All other personal belongings may be stored at the bag check at 90 Wellington Street.
- At minimum, visitors must wear casual dress and footwear.
- Participating in any form of demonstration inside the buildings is prohibited, including wearing items or clothing with visible political messages.
- Pets are not permitted inside Parliament. Exceptions are made for trained service animals.
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- All facilities are wheelchair-accessible, and we make every effort to accommodate visitors with special needs. For more information or to request sign language interpretation, please contact 613-996-0896.
- Furthermore, arrangements can be made in advance to allow you to transport visitors with mobility challenges to the entrance. Please contact Tenant Operations at 613-943-4300 or PPA-ACP@parl.gc.ca to provide information about your vehicle at least 24 hours before your visit.
Centre block guided tour departures
Sept 6 - May 14
Weekdays
When Parliament is sitting:
Monday, Tuesday and Thursday
9:00 am to 12:50 pm
3:20 pm
Wednesday
12:30 pm to 3:20 pm
Friday
9:00 am to 9:50 am
12:50 pm to 3:20 pm
When Parliament is not sitting:
Monday to Friday
9:00 am to 3:20 pm
Weekends
Saturday and Sunday
9:00 am to 4:20 pm
May 15 - June 30
Weekdays
When Parliament is sitting:
Monday, Tuesday and Thursday
9:00 am to 12:50 pm
3:20 pm to 7:20 pm
Wednesday
12:30 pm to 7:20 pm
Friday
9:00 am to 9:50 am
12:50 pm to 7:20 pm
When Parliament is not sitting:
Monday to Friday
9:00 am to 7:20 pm
Weekends
Saturday and Sunday
9:00 am to 4:20 pm
July 2 - Sept 4
Daily
9:00 am to 4:30 pm
Please check the Senate and House of Commons calendars. Building hours and tour schedules vary throughout the year and are subject to change without notice due to parliamentary activity.
East block guided tour departures
July 2 - Sept 4
Daily
9:45 am to 4:45 pm
Building hours and tour schedules vary and are subject to change without notice.
Parliament of Canada
Visit Canada’s parliament
Centre Block
guided tours
Discover the history, functions and art of Canada’s Parliament with a guided tour of Centre Block. This iconic building is home to the Senate, House of Commons and Library of Parliament. Free tours are available daily.
East Block
guided tours
From July to early September, visit East Block, the nerve centre of Canada’s government during its first hundred years. Guided tours take you inside restored heritage rooms to explore parliamentary life in the late 19th century.
School
tours
From September to April, school groups may take a curriculum-based tour, Follow that Bill (grades 4-6, cycles 2 and 3 in Quebec) or
Searching for Symbols (kindergarten to grade 3, cycle 1 in Quebec). School groups can also choose to book a general tour throughout the year.
Searching for Symbols (kindergarten to grade 3, cycle 1 in Quebec). School groups can also choose to book a general tour throughout the year.
Self-guided
options
Get a bird’s eye view of the National Capital Region from the Peace Tower or visit the Memorial Chamber, which commemorates Canadians who have lost their lives in military service.
Live
debates
On a first-come, first-served basis, visitors are welcome to watch proceedings in the Senate and the House of Commons whenever they are in session. Please check the Senate and House of Commons calendars before your visit to confirm if the chambers will be sitting.
Business
Visits
Business visitors can arrange to meet a Senator or MP or attend a parliamentary committee.
Boutique
Remember to stop by the Parliamentary Boutique for a lasting memory of your visit. The Boutique offers a wide range of mementoes and products unique to Parliament.
Special events
Exhibit - Foundations: The Words that Shaped Canada
March to December 2017
While on a guided tour, visitors may see an exhibit in the Library, entitled Foundations: The Words that Shaped Canada. This new exhibit, completed in partnership with Library and Archives Canada, celebrates 150 years of Confederation and showcases some of the most important documents in Canadian parliamentary history.
Changing of the Guard
July 10 - August 26, 2017
10:00-10:30 a.m.
See a Canadian tradition at its most colourful! The Ceremonial Guard brings stirring military drills and music to Parliament Hill. Come at 9:45 a.m. to learn more about the ceremony. For more information visit the Ceremonial Guard.
Canada Day
July 1, 2017
All day
Join Canadians and visitors from around the world to celebrate the country’s birthday on Parliament Hill. A day of live entertainment finishes with an evening concert and fireworks display. For more information, please consult Canadian Heritage.
Carillon Concerts
Year Round
Discover a unique musical experience: the 53 bells of the Peace Tower Carillon. For information, schedules and special dates, visit the House of Commons Heritage Collection
Sound and Light Show
July 11 - September 16, 2017
Daily (evenings)
This all-new experience of sound and light is a thrilling thematic journey through Canada’s history presented in spectacular detail against the backdrop of the Parliament Buildings.
For information on outdoor tours and other special events on Parliament Hill, please consult Canadian Heritage.
Parliament of Canada
