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The Senate Chamber, or the "Red Chamber" as it is sometimes called, is where senators from Canada's provinces and territories meet to consider and debate legislation and issues of importance to Canadians. It is located at the east end of the Centre Block, the building on Parliament Hill dominated by the Peace Tower.
Decorated in brilliant royal red and gold, the Senate Chamber is also where the Queen of Canada, or her representative the Governor General, addresses Parliament and gives Royal Assent to bills destined to become law. It is the venue for historic state ceremonies, including the Opening of Parliament, the Speech from the Throne and the installation of a new Governor General.
At the north end of the Chamber is a dais
(raised platform) with a pair of thrones, the larger of the
two for the Queen or the Governor General, and the smaller
for the spouse of the Queen or the Governor General.
For regular sittings of the Senate, the Speaker's chair is placed in front of the thrones, but is removed when the Queen or the Governor General is present. From the chair, the Speaker maintains order during the proceedings in the Chamber. The Speaker is assisted in this task by the Clerk of the Senate and other Table Officers who provide advice on parliamentary procedure. These individuals sit at the table in the centre aisle directly in front of the Speaker's chair.
The Mace, a symbol of royal authority, parliamentary privilege and the authority of the Senate and the Speaker, rests on the table, its crown placed in the direction of the throne. Made of brass and gold, the 1.6-metre-long Mace dates from the mid-19th century and is carried into the Chamber during the Speaker's Parade, which starts and ends each sitting of the Senate.
Senators affiliated with the governing political party in the House of Commons sit to the Speaker's right. To the Speaker's left sit those senators affiliated with all other parties, including those who have chosen to sit as independent senators.
Senate proceedings are open to both the public and to journalists. The second-floor galleries at the north and south ends of the Chamber can accommodate 350 people. Each gallery is equipped with an audio system, which allows visitors to listen to the debates in either of Canada's two official languages, English and French. Television monitors in the galleries provide visitors with real-time captioning of the proceedings, making them accessible to those who are hearing impaired.
Art and symbols in the Chamber
The Senate Chamber is adorned with
artistic expressions of Canada's history and heritage,
serving to remind senators of the people and country they
serve. The coffered ceiling, decorated in gold leaf, depicts
the French fleur-de-lys, the English lion, the Irish harp,
the Welsh dragon and the Scottish thistle, together with
Canadian maple leaves. Two massive bronze chandeliers,
weighing approximately two tonnes each, hang from the
ceiling.
The Chamber's intricate carved oak panelling depicts Canadian flora and fauna. A marble bust of Queen Victoria, the first Queen of Canada, surveys the Chamber from high above the thrones and the Speaker's chair.
Eight enormous oil paintings portraying various scenes from the First World War dominate the Senate Chamber. Painted by different artists based on photographs taken on the front lines of battle, they commemorate the sacrifices made by Canadians during the Great War and Canada's evolution toward full independence within the Commonwealth.
