THE NCC INVITES THE PUBLIC TO DISCOVER THE GROUNDS OF PARLIAMENT HILL THIS SUMMER

July 3, 2009 · Filed Under Festival News, News

Every visit to Canada’s Capital Region must include a stop on Parliament Hill. The National Capital Commission (NCC) is offering again this year its Sound and Light Show and Discover the Hill outdoor interpretation program. The program allows residents and visitors to the Capital to explore the grounds of Parliament Hill during the summer.SOUND AND LIGHT SHOW ON PARLIAMENT HILL
From July 6 to August 9 (daily) – 9:30 pm and 10:30 pm
August 10 to September 13 (daily) – 9 pm and 10 pm

Starting July 6, residents and visitors are invited to gather on Parliament Hill in the evening, as the majestic setting of our seat of government serves as a backdrop for the popular Sound and Light Show. Since 2005, on average, about 245,000 people per summer attended this 30-minute free multi-media production presented by the NCC. This bilingual show is offered twice nightly, 7 days a week, and bathes the Parliament Buildings in lights and images, transporting the audience from coast to coast to coast to experience the story of our nation.

INFO-TENT
Until September 7 (daily) – 9 am to 8 pm on weekdays, and 9 am to 5 pm on weekends

The Info-Tent should be the first stop for visitors to Parliament Hill. NCC staff of this seasonal visitor service facility located to the left of the Centre Block of Parliament and behind the West Block will inform visitors of the full menu of summer activities that are available. At this location, visitors can obtain same-day tickets for the free Centre Block, East Block and outdoor guided tours. All guided tours begin from this point.

DISCOVER THE HILL
During the hours of operation of the Info-Tent

NCC Discover the Hill interpreters will be on site to invite visitors to explore the buildings, monuments and landscapes that surround Canada’s Parliament. Visitors will have the opportunity to further their exploration of Parliament Hill by chatting with the friendly, knowledgeable staff and by learning from the discovery carts (mobile thematic kiosks containing photos, artefacts and props).

The different facets of Parliament Hill can also be discovered through a free 45-minute outdoor guided walking tour entitled “In the Footsteps of Great Canadians”.

SELF-GUIDING BOOKLET
Those who prefer to set their own pace can also pick-up a copy of the completely redesigned Discover the Hill Outdoor Self-Guiding Booklet. This free booklet is available at the Info-Tent and allows visitors to follow the proposed route or to chart their own path in their discovery of Parliament Hill.

This year, the new Discover the Hill booklet was produced in Canada with the environment in mind; it is printed on paper containing 100% post-consumer fibre, which is Environmental Choice, Processed Chlorine Free, as well as FSC Recycled certified, and manufactured using biogas energy. Waterless printing technology was also used in its production. The NCC encourages visitors who do not wish to keep their booklet to return it to the Info-Tent, to recycle it or to give it to friends and family who might soon be visiting Parliament Hill.

CHANGING THE GUARD
Until August 22 (daily) – 10 am to 10:30 am
Preceded by a brief introduction at 9:45 am

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Changing the Guard ceremony. Once again, the Department of National Defence will present the stirring military drill and music of the Changing the Guard ceremony, with its pomp and pageantry, on Parliament Hill. The ceremony is preceded by a brief introduction by Discover the Hill interpreters at 9:45 am. This presentation provides visitors with a better understand of the ceremony, its symbolism, history, regiments and proceedings.

GUIDED TOURS OF THE PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Centre Block: Year-round
East Block: Until September 7 (daily) – 10 am to 5:15 pm

Tour Cancellations: Saturday July 4, 2009
Guided tours of the Centre Block and the East Block will be cancelled. The Parliament Hill Boutique, the Peace Tower and Memorial Chamber will also be closed.

Tour Cancellations: Tuesday July 7, 2009
Centre Block will be closed from 8 am to 4 pm to the public due to parliamentary activity. All visitor programs, including visits to the Parliament Hill Boutique, the Peace Tower and the Memorial Chamber have been cancelled.

The schedule and content of the year-round tours of the Centre Block of Parliament vary according to the season and whether or not Parliament is sitting. To make the most of a visit, check the Parliamentary website (www.parl.gc.ca – click on Visitor Information) for details. Visits of the East Block, the nerve centre of Canada’s government for the country’s first hundred years, provide the opportunity to view grand old rooms and offices restored to the way they looked at the time of Confederation.

INTERPRETATION OF THE NATIONAL WAR MEMORIAL
Guides: Until September 7 (daily) – 9:30 am to 5:00 pm
Sentries: Until August 30 (daily) – 9 am to 5 pm

Confederation Square is Canada’s place of remembrance. The monuments found there, including the National War Memorial, The Tomb of The Unknown Soldier and the Valiants Memorial, collectively speak of remembrance, sacrifice, courage and endurance, and represent all those whose actions in times of conflict and war have shaped Canada’s past and continue to influence our present. Visitors can learn more about the history, symbolism and importance of these monuments by speaking and sharing stories with the NCC interpreters stationed at Confederation Square throughout the summer.

For more information on the National War Memorial and The Tomb of The Unknown Soldier, please visit the Veterans Affairs Canada website at www.vac-acc.gc.ca.

CAPITAL INFOCENTRE
Until September 7 (daily) – 9 am to 9 pm

The Capital Infocentre is more than an information centre. Located across from Parliament Hill, visitors will find a complete range of services and tools to help them plan their visit to the Capital according to their needs. They can count on a warm welcome from the friendly and helpful staff, whether they are looking for information by phone or in person.

Public Information
For more information on the Discover the Hill program or other NCC programs, the public can contact the NCC at 613-239-5000 or 1-800-465-1867, TTY: 613-239-5090 or 1-866-661-3530, visit the NCC’s website at www.canadascapital.gc.ca, or stop by the Capital Infocentre, located at 90 Wellington Street (across from Parliament Hill).

For additional information on the Centre Block and East Block tours, the public can also visit the Parliament of Canada website at www.parl.gc.ca (click on Visitor Information).

Tags: National Capital Commission, NCC, Parliament Hill, sound and lightshow