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Our House Over the Years

Photo of Centre Block
1858
Ottawa is designated as the capital of the Province of Canada
1860
Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, lays the cornerstone of the new Parliament Building on Parliament Hill
1865
The East and West Departmental Buildings (Blocks) are completed
1866
The original Parliament Building (Centre Block) is ready for occupancy
1867
Confederation—Ottawa becomes the capital of the Dominion of Canada
1876
Library of Parliament opens
1916
Original Parliament Building (Centre Block) is destroyed by fire
1916
Parliament takes up quarters in the Victoria Memorial Building
1919
Edward, Prince of Wales and the future Edward VIII lays the cornerstone of the Peace Tower
1920
Parliament resumes sitting in the new Centre Block
1927
Peace Tower is inaugurated on July 1st—the 60th anniversary of Confederation; its 53-bell carillon sounds in Canada’s first national radio broadcast
1952
Library of Parliament is damaged by fire
1956
Library of Parliament reopens after renovation
1963
West Block is renovated for parliamentary use
1973
Confederation Building is converted from a departmental building to a parliamentary building
1982
East Block is renovated for parliamentary use
1982
Peace Tower undergoes major interior renovation
1997
Peace Tower and Centre Block front facade exterior restoration is completed
2001
Long Term Vision and Plan for the Parliamentary Precinct is endorsed by both the government and Parliament
2001
Justice Building is converted from a departmental building to a parliamentary building
2006
Library of Parliament reopens following major renovations
2011
West Block closes for major renovations

Staying Informed

All Canadians are invited to learn more about—and become involved in—the activities of the House of Commons. They can do so by watching sittings in the Chamber and many committee meetings live on the Internet at parlvu.parl.gc.ca, or by coming to Ottawa and taking a seat in the public galleries in the House. Sitting days are posted on www.parl.gc.ca. Every committee has its own Web page at www.parl.gc.ca, a site that also includes information on each individual Member of Parliament.

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