Parliament Hill (colloquially The Hill, French Colline du Parlement) is a scenic location on the southern banks of the Ottawa River in downtown Ottawa, Ontario. French ( français,) is a Romance language spoken around the world by 118 million people as a native language and by about 180 to 260 million people This is about the river in Canada For other uses see Ottawa River (disambiguation. Ottawa (ˈɒtəwə or sometimes /ˈɒtəwɑː/ is the Capital of Canada and the country's fourth largest municipality. Ontario (ɒnˈtɛrioʊ is a province located in the central part of Canada, the largest by population and second largest after Quebec Its Gothic revival suite of buildings – the Parliament Buildings – serves as the home of the Parliament of Canada; the best known of these buildings is the Centre Block, with its prominent Peace Tower, a national symbol. The Gothic Revival is an architectural movement which began The Parliament of Canada (Parlement du Canada is Canada 's legislative branch, seated at Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Ontario. The Centre Block is the main building of the three on Parliament Hill in Ottawa Ontario. The Peace Tower is part of the Canadian Parliament Buildings in Ottawa, Ontario. Parliament Hill attracts approximately 3 million visitors each year. [1]
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History
Parliament Hill is a limestone outcrop with a gently sloping top. For thousands of years it served as a landmark on the Ottawa River for First Nations, and later European traders, adventurers and industrialists, to mark their journey to the interior of the continent. First Nations is a term of Ethnicity that refers to the Aboriginal peoples in Canada who are neither Inuit nor Métis people After Ottawa, then called Bytown, was founded, the builders of the Rideau Canal used the hill as a location for a military base, naming it Barrack Hill. Ottawa (ˈɒtəwə or sometimes /ˈɒtəwɑː/ is the Capital of Canada and the country's fourth largest municipality. The Rideau Canal, also known as the Rideau Waterway, connects the city of Ottawa Ontario, Canada on the Ottawa River to the city of Kingston A large fortress was planned for the site, but was never built, and by 1858 it had lost its strategic importance.
In that same year, Queen Victoria selected Bytown as the capital of the Province of Canada. Victoria (Alexandrina Victoria 24 May 1819 – 22 January 1901 was from 20 June 1837 the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland The Province of Canada or the United Province of Canada was a British colony in North America from 1841 to 1867 Barrack Hill was chosen as the site for the new parliament buildings, given its prominence over both the town and the river, as well as the fact that it was already owned by the Crown. Throughout the Commonwealth realms The Crown is an abstract metonymic concept which represents the legal authority for the existence of any government Within less than two years, on December 20, 1859, ground was broken on the site; by summer of the following year, Prince Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, laid the cornerstone of the new parliament. Prince of Wales (Tywysog Cymru is a title traditionally granted to the Heir Apparent to the reigning monarch of the United Kingdom (and formerly the Kingdom It became the largest project undertaken in North America to that date. The complex was not completed, however, when three colonies of British North America confederated, with the potential for others to join as provinces, with Ottawa remaining the capital. British North America consisted of the colonies and territories of the British Empire in continental North America after the end of the American Revolutionary Canadian Confederation was the process by which the federal Dominion of Canada was formed beginning 1 July 1867 from the Thus, the bureaucracy of parliament spread to buildings beyond Parliament Hill even at that early date. [2]
By 1876 the structures of Parliament Hill were completed, along with the wrought iron fence and Queen's Gates, forged by Ives & Co. of Montreal. However, the grounds had yet to be properly designed; Governor General Lord Dufferin sent chief architect Thomas Scott to New York City to meet with Calvert Vaux and view Central Park. The Governor General of Canada ( French: Gouverneure générale du Canada, or: Gouverneur général du Canada) is the vice-regal representative Frederick Temple Hamilton-Temple-Blackwood 1st Marquess of Dufferin and Ava, KP, GCB, GCSI, GCMG, GCIE, PC (21 June Thomas Seaton Scott ( 16 August, 1826 &ndash 15 or 16 June, 1895) was a Canadian architect The City of New York Calvert Vaux ( December 20, 1824 – November 19, 1895) was an architect and landscape designer Central Park is a large public Urban park in New York City, with about twenty-five million visitors annually Vaux completed a layout for the landscape, including the present day driveways, terraces, and main lawn; Scott created more informal grounds to the sides of and behind the parliament. [2]
The Centre Block was destroyed by fire on February 3, 1916. Despite the ongoing war, the original cornerstone was re-laid by Governor General Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught, on September 1, 1916; exactly fifty-six years after his brother, by now the late King Edward VII, had first set it. World War I (abbreviated WWI; also known as the First World War, the Great War, and the War to End All The Prince Arthur Duke of Connaught and Strathearn (Arthur William Patrick Albert 1 May 1850 &ndash 16 January 1942) was a member of Eleven years later the new tower was completed, dedicated as the Peace Tower in commemoration of the Canadians who had lost their lives during the First World War.
Parliament buildings
The entire parliamentary precinct measures 112,360 square metres (1,209,433 sq ft), bounded on the north by the Ottawa River, on the east by the Rideau Canal, on the south by Wellington Street, and on the west by a service road near the Supreme Court. M^2 redirects here For other uses see M². CM2 redirects here The square foot is an Imperial unit / US customary unit (non- SI non- metric) of Area, used mainly in the United States This is about the river in Canada For other uses see Ottawa River (disambiguation. The Rideau Canal, also known as the Rideau Waterway, connects the city of Ottawa Ontario, Canada on the Ottawa River to the city of Kingston Wellington Street is an important Street in Ottawa, Canada most notable for being the street upon which Parliament Hill is located The Supreme Court of Canada ( French: Cour suprême du Canada) is the highest court of Canada and is the final court of appeal in the Canadian
The main buildings are: the Centre Block, built between 1865 and 1927, containing the House of Commons and Senate chambers, and featuring the Peace Tower and Library of Parliament; the East Block, built in two stages in 1867 and 1910, containing senators' offices and preserved Confederation-era rooms; and the West Block, built in 1865, containing ministers' and MPs' offices and meeting rooms. The Centre Block is the main building of the three on Parliament Hill in Ottawa Ontario. Year 1865 ( MDCCCLXV) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year Year 1927 ( MCMXXVII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The House of Commons (Chambre des communes is a component of the Parliament of Canada, along with the Sovereign (represented by the Governor General) and The Senate of Canada (Le Sénat du Canada is a component of the Parliament of Canada, along with the sovereign (represented by the governor general The Peace Tower is part of the Canadian Parliament Buildings in Ottawa, Ontario. The Library of Parliament is an information repository and research service for the Parliament of Canada, located at Parliament Hill in Ottawa, The East Block (French Édifice de l'Est) is one of the three main buildings on Parliament Hill, Ottawa, Ontario. Year 1867 ( MDCCCLXVII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting Year 1910 ( MCMX) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting West Block (French Édifice de l'Ouest) is one of the three main buildings on Parliament Hill, Ottawa, Ontario, serving the Parliament Year 1865 ( MDCCCLXV) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year The three blocks are disposed around a large grassy quadrangle, while the Centre Block is surrounded by lawns and a walk overlooking the Ottawa River. The Library of Parliament was opened in 1876. The Library of Parliament is an information repository and research service for the Parliament of Canada, located at Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Year 1876 ( MDCCCLXXVI) was a Leap year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Leap year The Legislature of the Province of Canada met for the first time in the new building on June 8, 1866, and the new Parliament of the Dominion of Canada began its first session there on November 6, 1867. The Province of Canada or the United Province of Canada was a British colony in North America from 1841 to 1867 Events 68 - The Roman Senate accepts emperor Galba. 536 - St Silverius becomes Pope (probable Year 1866 ( MDCCCLXVI) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Country to "Dominion of Canada" or "Canadian Federation" or anything else please read the Talk Page Events 355 - Roman Emperor Constantius II promotes his cousin Julian to the rank of Caesar, entrusting him with Year 1867 ( MDCCCLXVII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting
The overall site is in a combination of the High Victorian Gothic, English garden, formal garden styles popular at the end of the 19th century. The term English garden or English park (Jardin anglais Giardino all'inglese Englischer Landschaftsgarten is used in Continental Europe A formal garden in the Western gardening tradition is a neat and ordered Garden laid out in carefully planned geometric and symmetric lines The 19th century of the Common Era began on January 1, 1801 and ended on December 31, 1900, according to the Gregorian calendar The Palace of Westminster and precinct had recently been rebuilt in a similar style, and the choice of a gothic rather than an American inspired neoclassical design, was a symbol of Canada's continued links to Britain. Neoclassical architecture was an architectural style produced by the neoclassical movement that began in the mid-18th century both as a reaction against the Rococo
The only structure on Parliament Hill to have been purposefully demolished was the building, which had been behind the West Block, that housed the Supreme Court between 1889 and 1945. The Supreme Court of Canada ( French: Cour suprême du Canada) is the highest court of Canada and is the final court of appeal in the Canadian Throughout the 1950s and 1960s there were discussions to tear down other parliamentary precinct buildings, including the Library of Parliament and West Block for new structures, and the East Block for parking. The Library of Parliament is an information repository and research service for the Parliament of Canada, located at Parliament Hill in Ottawa, West Block (French Édifice de l'Ouest) is one of the three main buildings on Parliament Hill, Ottawa, Ontario, serving the Parliament The East Block (French Édifice de l'Est) is one of the three main buildings on Parliament Hill, Ottawa, Ontario. None of these plans were carried out. [3]
Plans
Since 2002 a thorough renovation project has been going on across the parliamentary precinct, specifically focusing on West Block renovations, security of perimeters, pedestrian and vehicle screening, circulation of traffic/delivery and parking. [4] Increased costs due to greater deterioration of the heritage buildings. Significant increase in building commodities (steel) and labour costs (highly specialized and skilled trades) Increased allowances for risks based on experience with other heritage rehabilitation projects such as the Library of Parliament. In 2012, the Centre Block is scheduled to be closed for five years for an extensive interior renovation. In preparation, the other buildings are being renovated and expanded first; the inner courtyards of the West and East Blocks will be enclosed, and temporary chambers for the House of Commons and Senate installed. The House of Commons (Chambre des communes is a component of the Parliament of Canada, along with the Sovereign (represented by the Governor General) and The Senate of Canada (Le Sénat du Canada is a component of the Parliament of Canada, along with the sovereign (represented by the governor general
Major events
Parliament Hill is the site of annual Canada Day celebrations, presided over by the Governor General and his or her Prime Minister. Canada Day (Fête du Canada formerly Dominion Day, is Canada 's national day, a federal statutory holiday, celebrating the anniversary of the The Governor General of Canada ( French: Gouverneure générale du Canada, or: Gouverneur général du Canada) is the vice-regal representative The Prime Minister of Canada ( French: Premier ministre du Canada) is the primary Minister of the Crown, chairman of the Cabinet, and thus Canada's monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, has also been present at these festivities in 1990, 1992, and 1997, and earlier presided over the Canadian Centennial celebrations on July 1, 1967, on The Hill. TalkCommonewalth realm.-->The monarchy of For the ship see RMS Queen Elizabeth 2 Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Context States headed by Elizabeth II The Canadian Centennial was a year long celebration held in 1967 when Canada celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Canadian Confederation. "July 1st" redirects here For the Ayumi Hamasaki song see H (song. Year 1967 ( MCMLXVII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the 1967 Gregorian calendar.
Another annual event, during the summer months, is the Changing of the Guard on the centre lawn. The Ceremonial Guard is an ad hoc military unit in the Canadian Forces with elements drawn from two Primary Reserve ( Militia) regiments of Foot Guards
Among the major events Parliament Hill has hosted:
- Celebration of Queen Victoria's birthday in 1865
- Memorial for the death of Queen Victoria
- The first visit of Canada's reigning monarch, King George VI, with his consort Queen Elizabeth, on May 19, 1939
- The raising of Canada's new national flag for the first time on February 15, 1965
- The lighting of the Centennial Flame on December 31, 1966
- The celebration of Queen Elizabeth II's Silver Jubilee on October 18, 1977
- The proclamation of the Constitution Act by Queen Elizabeth II on April 17, 1982
- Celebrations for the Millennium
- The memorial service for the victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks in 2001, attended by 100,000 people,[5] and called "the largest single vigil" ever seen in the nation's capital[6][7]
- The celebration of Queen Elizabeth II's Golden Jubilee on October 13, 2002
- Canadians lying in state. Victoria (Alexandrina Victoria 24 May 1819 – 22 January 1901 was from 20 June 1837 the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland TalkCommonewalth realm.-->The monarchy of Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon (Elizabeth Angela Marguerite 4 August 1900 &ndash 30 March 2002 was the Queen Consort of King George Events 1535 - French explorer Jacques Cartier sets sail on his second voyage to North America with three ships 110 men and Year 1939 ( MCMXXXIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The National Flag of Canada, also known as the Maple Leaf, and fr l'Unifolié ( French for "the one-leafed" is a red Flag Events 590 - Khosrau II is crowned as king of Persia 1637 - Ferdinand III becomes Holy Roman Emperor Year 1965 ( MCMLXV) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the 1965 Gregorian calendar. The Centennial Flame is a Fountain with a symbolic flame located in front of the Peace Tower, in Ottawa, Canada. Events 406 – Vandals, Alans and Suebians cross the Rhine, beginning an invasion of Gallia. Year 1966 ( MCMLXVI) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the 1966 Gregorian calendar. The Silver Jubilee of Elizabeth II marked the twenty-fifth anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II 's accession to the Events 1009 - The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, a Christian church in Jerusalem, is completely destroyed by the Fatimid Also 1977 (album by Ash. Year 1977 ( MCMLXXVII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays The Constitution Act 1982 (Schedule B of the Canada Act 1982 (UK is a part of the Constitution of Canada. For the ship see RMS Queen Elizabeth 2 Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Context States headed by Elizabeth II Events 69 - After the First Battle of Bedriacum, Vitellius becomes Roman Emperor. Year 1982 ( MCMLXXXII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link displays the 1982 Gregorian calendar) A millennium (pl millennia) is a period of Time equal to one thousand Years (from Latin la mille, thousand and la annum Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. The Golden Jubilee of Elizabeth II marked the fiftieth anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II 's accession to the throne Events 54 - Nero ascends to the Roman throne 409 - Vandals and Alans crossed the Pyrenees See also 2002 (disambiguation Year 2002 ( MMII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. Lying in state is a term used to describe the tradition in which a Coffin is placed on view to allow the public at large to pay their respects to the deceased Among them:
Statues and monuments
Numerous statues and monuments are arranged across Parliament Hill, mostly on the grounds behind the three blocks. The Governor General of Canada ( French: Gouverneure générale du Canada, or: Gouverneur général du Canada) is the vice-regal representative John Buchan 1st Baron Tweedsmuir GCMG GCVO CH PC ( August 26, 1875 &ndash February 11, 1940 Major-General Georges-Philéas Vanier DSO MC & Bar CD ( April 23, 1888 - March 5, 1967 Ramon John Hnatyshyn PC CC CMM CD QC FRHSC (''hc'' (commonly known as Ray Hnatyshyn, anglicized The Prime Minister of Canada ( French: Premier ministre du Canada) is the primary Minister of the Crown, chairman of the Cabinet, and thus Sir John Alexander Macdonald GCB, KCMG, PC ( January 11, 1815 – June 6, 1891) was the first Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King PC OM CMG ( December 17, 1874 – July 22, 1950) was a Canadian The Canadian Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is located at the National War Memorial in Confederation Square Ottawa. The following is a list of the statues and monuments, in order of their date completed, or, if the date is unknown, in alphabetical order:
- Queen Victoria - located north of the West Block; sculpted by Louis-Philippe Hébert (1900)
- Alexander Mackenzie - located west of the Centre Block; sculpted by Louis-Philippe Hébert (1901)
- Henry Albert Harper / Galahad - located outside the Queen's Gates, facing Centre Block; sculpted by Ernest Wise Keyser (1905)
- George Brown - located west of the Centre Block; sculpted by George William Hill (1913)
- Robert Baldwin and Sir Louis-Hippolyte Lafontaine - located east of the Centre Block; sculpted by Walter Seymour Allward (1914)
- Sir Wilfrid Laurier - located south of the East Block; sculpted by Joseph-Émile Brunet (1922)
- Sir Robert Laird Borden - located west of the West Block; sculpted by Frances Loring (1957)
- Queen Elizabeth II - located east of the Centre Block; sculpted by Jack Harman (1977)
- John George Diefenbaker - located north of the West Block; sculpted by Leo Mol (1985)
- Lester Bowles Pearson - located north of the West Block; sculpted by Danek Mozdzenski (1989)
- Sir George-Étienne Cartier - located west of the Centre Block; sculpted by Louis-Philippe Hébert
- The Famous Five - depicts the women's suffrage movement (Nellie McClung, Irene Parlby, Emily Murphy, Louise McKinney and Henrietta Muir Edwards); sculpted by Barbara Paterson; the monument is featured on the reverse of the current $50 banknote
- Sir John A. Macdonald - located east of the Centre Block; sculpted by Louis-Philippe Hébert
- William Lyon Mackenzie King - located north of the East Block; sculpted by Raoul Hunter
- Thomas D'Arcy McGee - located north of the Centre Block; sculpted by George William Hill
- Other memorials on Parliament Hill include
- Centennial Flame - located in front of the Centre Block; commemorates the Centennial of Canada (1967)
- Canadian Police Memorium - located north of the Centre Block (1995)
- Victoria Tower Bell (1875-1877) - located north of the Centre Block; original bell of the first Centre Block tower (2000)
| Library of Parliament Centre Block Commons | Senate Peace Tower |
||
| West Block | Parliament of Canada Parliament Hill |
East Block |
See also
- Parliamentary cats - located to the rear woods north of Parliament Hill
- Government Hill, Hong Kong
- Parliament Hill, London
- Queen's Park, Toronto
- Parliamentary Press Gallery
References
- ^ Canadian Press; CTV News: Parliament Hill tourist facilities overwhelmed; May 6, 2007
- ^ a b Government of Canada: Construction, 1859-1916
- ^ Government of Canada: Reconstruction, 1916-1965
- ^ Government of Canada: A Legacy for Future Generations
- ^ CBC Video Clip
- ^ Archives - Paul Martin
- ^ CNN LATE EDITION WITH WOLF BLITZER, Interview With Paul Martin
- ^ Trudeau: 1919-2000
External links
- Official site
- Canada by Design: Parliament Hill, Ottawa at Library and Archives Canada
- Webcam pointed at Centre Block
- Peace Tower
- Parliament Hill is at coordinates Coordinates: