bc parliament building tours

British Columbia Parliament Buildings

501 Belleville ST Victoria BC V8V 1X4

Overlooking Victoria’s majestic Inner Harbour, the Parliament Buildings and surrounding areas are located in the traditional territories of the Lekwungen people. Visitors are invited to discover the architectural splendour of the Parliament Buildings and learn about British Columbia’s Legislative Assembly.

The Parliament Buildings are open for free guided tours on weekdays throughout the year and seven days a week during the summer. Free tours are offered regularly throughout the day.

Please visit our website for the most up-to-date hours and tour information: bcleg.ca/tours.

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Tour the Parliament Buildings

The Parliament Buildings are a landmark in Victoria, the capital of British Columbia.  Construction of this great architectural building started in 1893 and was lead by a 25-year-old architect by the name of Francis Rattenbury. During Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee in 1897, construction was deemed complete, however, details, refinishing, additions and upgrades were ongoing right up until 1915. Francis Rattenbury and his crew made an effort to use local materials, resources and expertise when building the Parliament Buildings, as during this time in B.C. it was important to both him and the government to support local businesses. Granite rock foundations were brought in from nearby Nelson Island, the site facades were locally imported from Haddington Island, and most of the local brick, lime and Douglas Fir were accumulated from areas around Vancouver Island.

The inside of the buildings are just as grand as the outside, which features a statue of Queen Victoria on the front lawn.  You can book tours of the buildings that will give you both insight and perspective on the historical significance of Victoria as the command center for British Columbia. The Parliament Buildings are also worth a visit at night-time, as the 3,300+ light bulbs that adorn the façade are lit up, casting a magical glow over the harbour.

The political governing body – elected by British Columbians – assembles in this house to pass law and make decisions affecting the future direction of the province.

Some of the nearby attractions include Beacon Hill Park, the history of the BC Royal Museum and the shops, boutiques and artisans in the downtown core on Government Street.

The BC Parliament Buildings provides guided tours Monday to Friday. Tours are provided in both official languages of Canada – English and French – and can be arranged in other languages when notice is provided.

BC Parliament Buildings are located on Belleville Street in Downtown Victoria’s Inner Harbour. (Telephone) 1-250-387-3046

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BC Parliament Buildings in Victoria

Also known as the Parliament Buildings, the BC Legislative Building is the beautiful palace-like structure with the green dome in Victoria’s Inner Harbour that’s home to British Columbia’s government and Legislative Assembly.

This article contains information about the following topics:

Parliament Tours and Hours | About the Parliament Buildings | Inside the Parliament Buildings | Tips & Advice | Other Information

BC Legislative Buildings

Completed in 1897, the BC Parliament Buildings are located at 501 Belleville Street in the heart of Victoria. Part of the well-known Inner Harbour, they are just a block southwest of the Empress Hotel .

Along with the Fairmont Empress, the Parliament Buildings are the most-recognizable landmark structures in Victoria. They house government offices and the Legislative Assembly where elected officials debate. They are also open to the public for free tours.

Parliament Tours and Opening Hours

Free daily guided and self-guided tours of the Parliament Buildings take place throughout the year.

The facility is open to the public on regular weekdays from 8:30 am until 4:30 pm for both guided and self-guided tours. It is closed on statutory holidays and weekends.

Guided tours start outside the main entrance at the front of the building and last for between 30 and 45 minutes. They are quite interesting and since they are free it’s well worth your time to take one. After the tour, visitors are welcome to stay inside and continue exploring on their own. For obvious reasons, only certain areas are open to the public.

For an online copy of the self-guided tour pamphlet, click BC Parliament English Guidebook . Copies are also available both online and at the Parliamentary Tour Desk in a variety of languages.

About the Parliament Buildings

Designed by the famous BC architect Francis Rattenbury, the Legislative Building was completed in 1897. Rattenbury was only in his mid-20s when he won the contract. In later years he designed other BC landmarks including the nearby Empress Hotel , the Crystal Gardens (just behind the Empress) and the present day Vancouver Art Gallery .

The Parliament Buildings were built for an original cost of slightly over $900,000. Additions over the following 20 years brought the full cost up to around $2 million, which, for that time, was a lot of money. In the 1970s the facilities underwent another $80 million in major upgrades and restorative work.

The building was designed in a “free classical,” Romanesque and Renaissance style, which explains why it looks so palatial. At night the 500-foot-long building is illuminated with thousands of light bulbs.

Situated on 12.5 acres of land in the heart of Victoria, the BC Parliament Buildings are beautiful both inside and out.

Inside the Parliament Buildings

Some of what you’ll see on both guided and self-guided tours include the official British Columbia Coat of Arms, the Reception Hall, a portrait of King Charles III, stained glass windows celebrating the late Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden and Diamond Jubilees, and both the Lower and Memorial Rotundas with their domed ceilings.

When the Legislature isn’t in session, including during most of the summer, the Legislative Assembly is available for viewing. When the Legislature is in session this important room can also be seen, along with all the political action, from the Public Gallery.

Tips & Advice

Below is a list of suggestions and information to help you make the most of your visit to the BC Parliament Buildings.

TIP #1 : If you’ve never been inside the Legislative Buildings before, we highly recommend that you go! Admission is free!

TIP #2 : Take a guided tour if you can. They are free, educational and very interesting. You’ll see pieces of art and learn about BC history and culture, just like in a museum! And, again, it’s free!

TIP #3 : If you’re hungry, check out the Parliamentary Dining Room. You can’t bring outside food and drinks into the building, but you can enjoy a meal at the same place as all the elected officials do (just not at the same time as them). The food is generally good and reasonably priced. When the Legislature is not in session the dining room is open from 8:30 am until 3:00 pm on Mondays to Thursdays, and from 8:30 am to 2:00 pm on Fridays. Lunch is served from 11:30 am.

When the Legislature is in session, the Parliamentary Dining Room is open from 8:30 am to 30 minutes post-adjournment on Mondays to Wednesdays, from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm on Thursdays and from 8:30 am to 2:00 pm on Fridays. The public can access the building then from 8:30 am. Click Parliamentary Dining Room for more information.

Other Information

For further details about the Legislature, including tour information, check out the BC Government website.

Other places of interest within walking distance of the Parliament Buildings include the Inner Harbour , IMAX Theatre , Empress Hotel , Government Street , Bay Centre , Miniature World and Royal BC Museum . Beacon Hill Park also isn’t too far away.

For a list of other things to do in Victoria, check out any of the following:

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THE PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Along with the Empress Hotel, the Parliament Buildings dominate the scenery in downtown Victoria.

Victoria is the capital of the Province of British Columbia and is home to the Legislative

Legislative Chamber

Assembly of British Columbia.

The Neo-baroque buildings face north on Belleville street facing the Inner Harbour and diagonally across from The Empress Hotel. A statue of Queen Victoria stands on the front lawn as well a statue of a soldier to commemorate the province’s World War I, World War II and Korean War dead. Atop the central dome is a gold-covered statue of Captain George Vancouver.

This 12 ½ acre property has served as a site of government in British Columbia since 1864. The original structures, known as the Birdcages, were built to house the elected assembly for the Colony of Vancouver Island and continued to be used by the Legislative Assembly after British Columbia became a Province of Canada in 1871. The current Parliament Buildings were officially opened on February 10, 1898.

The Rotunda

The grand scale of its 500-ft (152-m) long andesite façade, central dome and two end pavilions, the richness of its white marble, and combination of Baroque rigorous symmetry, use of domes and sculptural massing with the rusticated surfaces of the currently popular Romanesque Revival style contributed to its being an innovative and impressive monument for the young province.

Its success garnered Rattenbury many more commissions in Victoria and other parts of the province, including the Legislative Library (constructed between 1913-1915 and the cornerstone of which was laid by Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught), the design of the Empress Hotel, the Crystal Gardens indoor swimming pool nearby, and the Vancouver Court House (now the Vancouver Art Gallery).

Free guided tours are available throughout the year. Come to ??discover the history of the province, the architectural splendor of our cherished heritage building and learn about British Columbia’s parliamentary process.

Tour Information:

Hours of operation:.

Open Monday to Friday, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm, for guided and self-guided tours.

Closed on weekends and holidays.

PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR UP-DATED INFO!

Please contact the Parliamentary Tour Office at 250-387-3046 or [email protected]? closer to the date of your visit for up-to-date schedule information.

Tour Length

Tours last approximately 30 – 45 minutes?

All tours are free of charge.

Group Bookings

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10 Things to Do at Victoria, BC's Parliament Buildings

You’ve seen them. The turquoise-green, birdcage-like domes. The stately stone columns and walls. The iconic figures and statues. Holding court over the core of Victoria’s Inner Harbor, it’s nearly impossible to pay a visit to BC’s charming capital without spotting one of the city’s signature symbols – the Parliament Buildings.

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However, you’re missing half of the grandeur of the 125-year-old, Romanesque-style building if you don’t venture inside. The best part? Admission is free! Get an inside peek at the architectural marvel with these 10 things you must-do at Victoria, BC’s Parliament Buildings.

1. Observe Debates from the Public Galleries

Want a peek at what the day-to-day activities inside the Parliament Buildings? Check when the Legislative Assembly is sitting and tuck behind the ornate ropes of the public galleries for a look at all the action during the debates . Watch as the Lieutenant Governor and the 85 elected Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) debate the pros and cons of each bill before deciding to support or reject the measure.

Or swing by during “Question Period,” for an intense 30-minute rapid-fire question and answer session as opposition members question the Premier and cabinet ministers about government plans. Be sure to arrive early to snag a seat, as this is one of the most popular times to catch parliamentary proceedings in real-time!

2. Soak in Stunning Stained Glass Windows

Decked out in an array of sparkling colors, more than 100 stained and leaded glass windows dot the interior walls of the Parliament Building. In search of one of the largest and dazzling displays? Bee-line it to the Diamond Jubilee Window in the Reception Hall. Crafted in celebration of the 60 th year of Queen Victoria’s reign, the window features BC’s first coat of arms and a flurry of flowers that represent each country in the United Kingdom.

If you’re up for an educational round of I-spy, stop by the building’s new addition, the Golden Jubilee Window, created in honor of the 50 th year of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s reign. See if you can spot BC’s provincial symbols in the design, such as the Steller’s jay, Western Red Cedar, Pacific Salmon as well as pieces of jade included in the masterpiece.

Next, pop into the building’s staircases to find a kaleidoscopic collection of glass inscribed with quotes from famous writers as well as early philosophers such as Aristotle and Plato.

3. Gaze Up at the Memorial Rotunda

One step into the grand structure and it’s hard to miss the Parliament Building’s lofty showstopper – the exquisite Memorial Rotunda in the heart of the building. With a soaring 100-foot ceiling, the octagonal renaissance-style dome distinguishes the Parliament Buildings from the many circular neoclassical domes used on American state and federal capital buildings.

An open circle adorned with marble, gilded walls and four paintings representing British Columbia’s first industries (farming, fishing, mining and forestry), it is the perfect blend of historic dignity and Old-World glamour.

(Insider tip: Don’t miss the two-meter tall statue of Captain George Vancouver, the explorer who is credited with first circumnavigating Vancouver Island, perched outside on the top of the dome. Made of beaten copper and plated with 14-carat gold, it is stunning in the afternoon sunlight).

4. Check Out the Shxwtitostel

Pop down to the Lower Rotunda to admire the hand-crafted “Shxwtitostel,” a traditional inland river canoe carved by The Honourable Steven Point, 28th Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, and Chief Tony Hunt, Hereditary Chief of the KwaGulth and master carver. Inspired after discovering the pre-carved red cedar log on Ross Bay Beach in Victoria, Point crafted the canoe to represent a bridge between First Nation peoples and people whose ancestors arrived in Victoria later.

Want to see the building’s signature dome from a different perspective? Parliamentary Education Officer, David S. Nicholls, explains, “Kids always enjoy coming into the Lower Rotunda and looking up to the top of the 100-foot ceiling of the main dome of the Parliament Buildings.”

5. Curl up with a Book in the Legislative Library

Are you a burgeoning bibliophile or perhaps a history buff? Duck into Legislative Library and get lost in the stacks of historical books and best-selling novels that span the seven-floor library. With an eye-catching domed entrance crafted out of white marble and framed by stately pillars and balconies, this reader’s paradise is worth visiting for the aesthetics alone. Don’t miss the mythical creatures known as grotesques peering down from the ring of the dome.

6. Let the Kiddos Meet Up with Notable Figures from BC’s Past

Time your visit right during summer (from the end of May to early September) and see the Parliamentary Players bring some of the province’s famous citizens back to life via period costumes and lively monologues. Be greeted by Her Majesty Queen Victoria along the front driveway of the building or chat up the famed architect of the building, Francis Rattenbury. Don’t be surprised if you also stumble upon BC’s first female MLA, Mary Ellen Smith or famed BC gold miner, Nellie Cashman. You never know who you’ll encounter!

Looking for kid-friendly fun? Nicholls says, “Kids can ask at the Tour Desk for a copy of our I-Spy activity sheet, which gives them certain items to look for as they explore the building.”

7. Count the Lights on the Parliament Buildings

While the Parliament Buildings are absolutely majestic during the day, come nightfall, the buildings take on a whole new look. More than 3,600 lightbulbs on the outside of the buildings burst to life, illuminating and outlining the structure with a dramatic glow. A tradition that goes back to 1897, when 350 lights were placed on the building to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria. Originally only used for special occasions, they have been switched on nightly since 1965.

(Psst – Swing by at Christmas time when red and green bulbs get added to the mix. Plus, the province’s official Christmas tree – the giant, more than 100-foot-tall Sequoia on the front lawn – gets dressed with its own set of thousands of energy-efficient bulbs.)

8. Explore the Back of the Property

If you came for the grand scale and proportion of the majestic Parliament Buildings, be sure to stay for the often over-looked treasures on the backside of the property . Listen to the bubbling sounds of the Centennial Fountain. Rimmed with a bronze gull, sea otter, eagle, raven, bear and wolf, the creatures are geographically symbolic of the colonies and territories that joined to form British Columbia.

Stroll along the walls of the Legislative Library to discover the 14 tall statues guarding the exterior. Ranging from the founder of Fort Victoria, Sir James Douglas to the first Chief Justice of British Columbia, Sir Matthew Baillie Begbie, each one in some way connected to BC’s early history.

9. Grab Breakfast or Lunch in the Parliamentary Dining Room

When you’re hungry for a bite, head down to the Parliamentary Dining Room for a tasty, breakfast or lunch prepared with fresh, local ingredients by their award-winning chef. Whether you nosh on weekly specials such as the Schnitzel burger or an egg-centric breakfast concoction such as the Mexican breakfast bowl, you can’t go wrong no matter what you choose! Combined with friendly staff and the chatter of regulars, it makes for a relaxing dining experience.

10. Hop on a Guided Tour

Want to see every nook and cranny of the Parliament Buildings? Join one of the free, guided tours and the expert staff will fill you in on everything from the ins and outs of British Columbia’s parliamentary process to the history of the province. If it’s full-on immersion you’re after, treat yourself to the popular Tea and Tour . Indulge in a tasty, white-cloth breakfast in the Parliamentary Dining Room before following a member of the Parliamentary Players Program to transport you back in time on a guided tour of the cherished building.

If anything embodies Victoria, it is the historic Parliament Buildings. Whether you drop in to watch a debate, wander through the Premier’s sweetly-scented rose garden or opt to explore the grounds on your own , you’ll leave feeling like a real Parliamentarian.

Feature Photo: Anne McKinnell