In The Senate Chamber

Here we have another view of the stairs leading to the outside, accessible by Parliamentary personnel. The stained glass window you see is a recent one; it features both Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth in its colours. The portrait of King George III appears at left.

The tour went into the Senate. Canadian senators are appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister. Their appointment is by region, and the number of senators is less than a third of  the MPs in the Commons- just over a hundred at present. It is stipulated as a chamber of sober second thought. 

The walls feature large war art paintings, on permanent loan from the Canadian War Museum. As the current Centre Block was built in the wake of the First World War, that conflict resonates through the architectural design of the building, making it more somber than its predecessor. Note the difference, for instance, with the Library of Parliament as I showed it to you. The war art, depicting battle fields and the lives of soldiers, is a reminder of the costs of war.

Speeches from the Throne are done here at the beginning of a new session, with the Governor General handling the entire affair. The MPs come over from the House of Commons to attend; the wall between the Senate and the lobby area can be removed so as to allow for the Commons to come in and bear witness.

Looking up gives us this view of the ceiling.

I looked back up at the balcony and photographed some of the woodwork.

One more look at the Senate Chamber. In January the Senate will be meeting in the Government Conference Centre for the duration of the work on Centre Block. I am hoping at some point to get in. I have been inside it during the Doors Open weekends some years ago, and it is quite an impressive building inside.

Coming back out, I paused in the lobby area between the Senate and the foyer to photograph this bust.