Senators have a new home at Ottawa's former train station that should be ready early next year, though a bit later that expected.
Senators will move to new building while Centre Block renovations take place
CBC News ·
The view from the galleries above the Senate chamber. The plywood desks currently in place were used to test the acoustics in the building, but the desks from the current chamber will be brought over before senators take their seats. (Hallie Cotnam/CBC)
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Canada's Senators are getting ready to move into their new home.
The construction that has transformed the former Government Conference Centre is almost done.
The building on Rideau Street, just down the road from Parliament Hill, will host the Senate until renovation work on Centre Block is complete in about a decade.
Reporters got a tour of the soon-to-be Senate on Thursday:
To test the acoustics in the building, these plywood desks were put in place with one seat for every senator. The desks from the current building will be brought over before it opens. (Giacomo Panico/CBC)
The view from the floor of the new chamber. (Hallie Cotnam/CBC)
The carpets in the new Senate chamber have a few Canadian touches to the deep red colour. (Hallie Cotnam/CBC)
There are new thrones in the temporary Senate. (Hallie Cotnam/CBC)
This bench in the lobby of the refurbished building was in the building when it was Ottawa's central train station. (Giacomo Panico/CBC)
The vaulted roof outside the new Senate chamber. The building was at one point Ottawa's central train station. (Hallie Cotnam/CBC)
The original train station clock has been restored. (Hallie Cotnam/CBC)
A committee room is seen in the Senate of Canada Building, formerly the Government Conference Centre, in Ottawa on Thurs., Dec. 13, 2018. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press)
The entrance to the new Senate building. (Hallie Cotnam/CBC)
