New visitor attraction: An immersive experience that showcases Canada’s Parliament
Ottawa - The Speaker of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Commons announced today that Parliament: The Immersive Experience will open to the public on August 17, 2023. Tickets are available at no cost at visit.parl.ca.
Produced by the Library of Parliament, this 45-minute multimedia attraction takesvisitors on a 360° journey through the main Parliament Building, also known as Centre Block, which closed in 2019 for long-term rehabilitation. The experience brings the history, art and architecture of this iconic building to life in vivid sensory detail.
Located at 211 Sparks Street in downtown Ottawa, the attraction includes an exhibit, as well as an immersive show featuring large-scale projections of key spaces in the main Parliament Building, including the Senate, House of Commons, Library of Parliament, Peace Tower and Memorial Chamber. With immersive sound, narration and visual effects, it also spotlights some of the decisions and debates that took place at Parliament over almost 100 years.
Quotes
“I am delighted that visitors will have a new way to discover Centre Block, the main Parliament Building, while it is closed for rehabilitation. Parliament: The Immersive Experience brings key spaces in the building to life, along with the history that has unfolded inside its walls. I would recommend it to anyone visiting the National Capital Region.”
The Honourable Raymonde Gagné, Speaker, Senate of Canada
“Parliament: The Immersive Experience offers a unique and compelling journey through the main Parliament Building. Through sound, light, and images, the exhibit and show take visitors through the history, art and architecture of one of Canada’s most iconic buildings. Without a doubt, it will be a popular destination
for visitors from near and far.”
The Honourable Anthony Rota, Speaker, House of Commons
“Parliament: The Immersive Experience is a remarkable addition to the Library of Parliament’s visitor offerings. With its innovative and engaging use of multimedia technologies, it makes the main Parliament Building and its history accessible and memorable for visitors of all ages and backgrounds.”
Dr. Heather Lank, Parliamentary Librarian
Quick facts
- Parliament: The Immersive Experience was created by the Library of Parliament to offer visitors a way to experience the main Parliament Building while it is closed for long-term rehabilitation.
- Parliament: The Immersive Experience is located at 211 Sparks Street, in an accessible ground-level space. It is close to the Parliament Buildings, with easy access via public transit.
- Tickets are available at no cost and can be reserved for individuals and groups at visit.parl.ca.
- The experience is available in English and French. Each showing is in one language only.
- The experience is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except on selected holidays.
- The Library of Parliament collaborated with XYZ Creativity + Technology, a production company based in Montreal, for the creative and technical design of the experience.
Associated links
Media kit
Photos and b-roll footage of Parliament: The Immersive Experience are available to the media upon request.
Media showings
Special media showings are available the morning of August 17, 2023. Reservations are required.
About the Library of Parliament
The Library creates, manages and delivers authoritative, reliable and relevant information
and knowledge for and about Parliament.
Media inquiries
Meredith Savka
Director, Communications
Library of Parliament
Meredith.savka@parl.gc.ca
343-571-9330
