Ontario's History located in the heart of Toronto!
Queen's Park: Meeting Place for Ontario's Parliament


Address: Queen's Park, Toronto, Ontario, M7A 1A2
Tel.: (416) 325 7500
Opening hours:
8:30-18:30 Monday to Friday; Saturday and Sunday, from Victoria Day to Labor Day 9-16:30


Located in the heart of Toronto's downtown, Ontario's Legislative Building at Queen's Park has been the meeting place for Ontario's parliament since 1893. At a site where past meets present, one could discover Ontario's history and learn about the province's parliamentary system of government.

The grand staircase in the lobby leads up to the richly decorated Chamber, with its hand-carved wood detailing made of mahogany and Canadian sycamore. Here, Ontario's Members of Provincial Parliament take part in parliamentary debates and pass laws for the province. The house is in session during spring and fall and visitors may watch the debates from public galleries.

It is designed by architect Richard Waite and took six years to construct. Waite chose to use Romanesque Revival style for the building, influenced by Northern Italian architecture. Popular at the end of 19th century, this architectural style is distinguished by rounded archways and heavy stonework.

An interesting contrast within the interior is the distinction between East and West wings. A fire in 1909 destroyed the West wing and it was rebuilt using marble imported from Italy. Look carefully along the marble columns and you may see dinosaur fossils!

The East wing of the building, in the original construction of wood and iron, features a number of exhibits highlighting Ontario's history and culture. Portraits of Ontario's former Premiers line walls of the grand staircase and the second floor of this wing, while the portraits of former Speakers are displayed along the first floor.

A gift shop in the main lobby has gifts, jewelry, Ontario's craft and souvenirs.