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Speaker’s Chair

The Speaker of the Senate presides over Senate proceedings from the Speaker’s chair — the foremost of the three seats at the head of the Chamber. Identified by a gold ’S’, the chair highlights the Speaker’s important role. As a sign of respect for the office, senators bow to it whenever they enter or leave the Chamber. The Speaker’s chair is only removed during the throne speech delivered by the monarch or the governor general to open a new session of Parliament.

The Speaker’s chair in the Senate of Canada Building is newer than its counterpart in Centre Block on Parliament Hill. The newer chair, like the two thrones behind it, was specially carved for the Senate’s temporary stay at the Senate of Canada Building, formerly Ottawa’s central train station. In a nod to that heritage, Parliament’s head sculptor designed the new Speaker’s chair to harmonize with the building’s Beaux Arts architecture.

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