Canadian Parliament Buildings

The plain surface is faced with a cream-coloured sandstone of the Potsdam formation, obtained from Nepean, a few miles from Ottawa.

The spandrils [sic] of the arches, and the spaces between window-arches and the sills of the upper windows, are filled up with a quaint description of stonework, composed of stones of irregular size, shape and color, very neatly set together.

[3] Five people have held the position since its creation in 1936: Cléophas Soucy (1936–50), William Oosterhoff (1949–62), Eleanor Milne (1962–93), Maurice Joanisse (1993–2006) and Phil R. White (2006–present).

In 2002, an extensive $1 billion renovation project began across the parliamentary precinct,[5][6][7] specifically focusing on masonry restoration, asbestos removal, vehicle screening, parking, electrical and mechanical systems, and improved visitors' facilities.

In 2018, when the Centre Block is slated to be closed for ten years to carry out an extensive interior restoration and upgrade, the inner courtyard of the newly renovated West Block will be enclosed and fitted with a temporary chamber for the House of Commons while the Senate will be temporarily relocated down Wellington St. in The Government Conference Centre.

Aerial view of the Canadian Parliament Buildings from the north
The Library of Parliament , situated behind Centre Block. All the parliament buildings are designed in a Gothic Revival style
Canadian silver dollar commemorating the 1939 royal tour and depicting the Parliament Buildings.
The original Centre Block building in 1897. The building was later destroyed as a result of a fire in 1916.