House of Commons Foyer

At the west end of the Centre Block, the House of Commons Chamber and its foyer present a fascinating blend of stateliness and vibrancy.

Photo: © 2001 Library of Parliament

The Foyer is probably most familiar to Canadians as the setting for the ritual known as "the scrum", where Members of Parliament field questions, surrounded by journalists, cameras and tape recorders, following Question Period and debates in the House of Commons.

The House of Commons Foyer is the meeting place of many of the elements of Parliament and Centre Block. Parliamentarians' offices ring its edges, the media and Members meet on its floor to bring the stories of the day's debates and decisions into homes all across Canada and its shape combines a sombre atmosphere with fantastical sculpted detail.

Photo: © 2001 Library of Parliament

Of the rooms in Centre Block, this one best combines the solemnity of the purpose of Parliament with the vibrancy of its people and its past. Vaulted ceilings, marble floors and dramatic lighting provide the setting for the lively exchanges between journalists and Parliamentarians and for the passage of one of the House of Commons' most ancient traditions, the Speaker's Parade.

Like the on-going evolution of Parliament and Canada, the creation of this room has been the work of many designers, artists, sculptors and workers over many years. Rebuilt from 1916 to 1920 after the fire, its decoration is still not complete.

Two broad bands of sculpture circle the foyer. Eleanor Milne completed the lower wide band of ten panels in 1975 after 13 years of work. She combined art, history and philosophy to bring to life thousands of years of history. In the upper band, flowers of the provinces curl around their coats of arms. Separating the provinces are representations of Canada's industries and the people who drive them.

The earliest sculptures in this room, exaggerated human faces and mythical beasts, carved in 1919 mix easily with the work of the Native Sculptors Series. The carved and painted faces of Canada's past Prime Ministers and other members of the House of Commons assist today's media in keeping a watchful eye on their successors.