1. Welcome to Parliament Hill A Virtual Tour of the “Centre Block” brought to you by: Mr. J. Saulnier

2. Let’s Begin! Today we are going to visit the centre stage of Canadian democracy by taking a guided tour of the Centre Block of the Parliament building! Today we are going to visit the centre stage of Canadian democracy by taking a guided tour of the Centre Block of the Parliament building!

3. What is in the Centre Block? Exterior Exterior Rotunda Rotunda Senate Foyer Senate Foyer Senate Chamber Senate Chamber House of Commons House of Commons Commons Foyer Commons Foyer

4. What is in the Centre Block? Commons Chamber Commons Chamber Hall of Honour Hall of Honour

5. Exterior The Centre Block is made of sandstone from Nepean, Ontario, Ohio, United States, and Wallace, Nova Scotia. Its south facade alone contains 550 windows and approximately 50,000 stones. The Centre Block is made of sandstone from Nepean, Ontario, Ohio, United States, and Wallace, Nova Scotia. Its south facade alone contains 550 windows and approximately 50,000 stones. It is of a Gothic design It is of a Gothic design One of Canada’s most distinct and identifiable buildings! One of Canada’s most distinct and identifiable buildings!

6. Exterior

7. Rotunda The Rotunda, also called Confederation Hall, is located inside the main entrance of the Centre Block. The Rotunda, also called Confederation Hall, is located inside the main entrance of the Centre Block. It is the midpoint of the building. It is the midpoint of the building. From its initial designs in 1916, the Rotunda was meant to represent the coming together of the diverse elements of Canada in a strong federation. From its initial designs in 1916, the Rotunda was meant to represent the coming together of the diverse elements of Canada in a strong federation.

8. Rotunda

9. The Senate The Senate is at the east end of the Centre Block. The Senate is at the east end of the Centre Block. The Senate plays a central role in our country's legislative process, examining and debating bills passed by the House of Commons as well as introducing new legislation. The Senate plays a central role in our country's legislative process, examining and debating bills passed by the House of Commons as well as introducing new legislation.

10. Senate Foyer The Foyer is framed by a series of columns and arches rising to the ceiling. The Foyer is framed by a series of columns and arches rising to the ceiling. The art and architecture reflect Canada's Constitutional Monarchy. The art and architecture reflect Canada's Constitutional Monarchy.

11. Senate Foyer A Picture of the Stained glass ceiling.

12. Senate Chamber Entering the Senate Chamber for the first time can take one's breath away. Masterful stone and wood carvings, beautiful paintings, large ornate chandeliers, the gilt coffered ceiling, and brilliant red carpeting and accents all lend a sense of grandeur to this proud historic chamber. It is an architectural gem! Entering the Senate Chamber for the first time can take one's breath away. Masterful stone and wood carvings, beautiful paintings, large ornate chandeliers, the gilt coffered ceiling, and brilliant red carpeting and accents all lend a sense of grandeur to this proud historic chamber. It is an architectural gem!

13. Senate Chamber Notice the red carpet, sometimes the chamber is referred to as the “red chamber” Notice the red carpet, sometimes the chamber is referred to as the “red chamber”

14. Senate Chamber The Throne

15. Senate Chamber The seats, this is where all the action comes from

16. House of Commons This is at the West end of the Centre Block. This is at the West end of the Centre Block. In the House of Commons Chamber, Members of Parliament assemble to debate issues and make laws for all Canadians. In the House of Commons Chamber, Members of Parliament assemble to debate issues and make laws for all Canadians.

17. House of Commons Foyer The Foyer is probably most familiar to Canadians as the setting for the ritual known as "the scrum", where Members of Parliament field questions, surrounded by journalists, cameras and tape recorders, following Question Period and debates in the House of Commons. The Foyer is probably most familiar to Canadians as the setting for the ritual known as "the scrum", where Members of Parliament field questions, surrounded by journalists, cameras and tape recorders, following Question Period and debates in the House of Commons.

18. House of Commons Foyer A “scrum”

19. House of Commons Chamber In the House of Commons Chamber, Members of Parliament assemble to debate issues and make laws for all Canadians. In the House of Commons Chamber, Members of Parliament assemble to debate issues and make laws for all Canadians.

20. House of Commons Chamber The Speaker’s Chair is the Focal point of the Chamber. Constructed in 1921. In the North end of the Chamber so the Speaker can oversee everything in the Chamber.

21. House of Commons Chamber Governing Party Opposition Parties Speaker

22. Hall of Honour Separating the Centre Block into east and west sections, the Hall of Honour serves as the principal ceremonial space and a dividing line between the House of Commons and the Senate. Separating the Centre Block into east and west sections, the Hall of Honour serves as the principal ceremonial space and a dividing line between the House of Commons and the Senate. The Hall of Honour was intended to commemorate events and individuals with distinctive plaques and sculptures. The Hall of Honour was intended to commemorate events and individuals with distinctive plaques and sculptures.

23. Hall of Honour

24. FIN The marks the end of our tour of the Centre Block. The marks the end of our tour of the Centre Block. Refer back to the website for other tours, or learning activities. Refer back to the website for other tours, or learning activities.