Plan your visit

Explore the sections below for information about visiting the Ontario Legislature. Please note that, to keep Parliament safe for everyone, all visitors are required to go through airport-style security screening when entering the Legislative Building. We look forward to welcoming you to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario!

 

Safety protocols: COVID-19

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Office of the Legislative Assembly is operating with reduced staff on-site while the majority of the staff work remotely. This is to prioritize the health and safety of staff, MPPs, and visitors, while we continue to support the work of the Legislature.

Public access to the building is currently by appointment only. If you have an appointment, please note that you will be asked COVID-19 health screening questions upon arrival. Masks are required in the building. You will also be asked to wear a mask or face covering on outdoor tours of the grounds.

If you require further information you can contact the Legislative Protective Service at 416-325-1114. 

 

NOTICE: Due to COVID-19 protocols the building is currently closed.

If you require emergency assistance while visiting the Legislative Precinct, please contact 416-325-1111. If there is an emergency that results in the closure of the Legislative Building, we will post a notice at the top of this page, as well as on our home page, when feasible. We will also post notices if any of our accessible entrances are out of service.

NOTICE: Due to COVID-19 protocols the building is currently closed.

All visitors must enter through the visitors’ entrance, located at the south side of the building, just west of the three centre archways. There is signage outside the Legislative Building to direct you to the visitors’ entrance.

map of building showing visitors' entrance

 

Hours

Monday–Friday: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

Weekends and holidays (open from Victoria Day to Labour Day): 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

For tour schedules, please visit Tours and webinars. For more information, contact 416-325-0061.

 

Location

The Legislative Building is located in Queen’s Park in downtown Toronto, just north of University Avenue and College Street. The building’s address is 111 Wellesley Street West. Some branches of the Office of the Legislative Assembly are located in Whitney Block at 99 Wellesley Street West. 

See the location of the Legislative Building on a map (external site)

 

Public transit

For transit schedules and maps, visit the Toronto Transit Commission (external site)

Subway

Queen’s Park station on the Yonge-University subway line is the closest subway stop to the main entrance. The station is on College Street, just south of the Legislative Building. The station has an elevator to street level.

Streetcar

The 506 Carlton Street streetcar stops at Queen’s Park station.

Bus

The 5 Avenue Road bus and 94 Wellesley Street bus both stop near the Legislative Building. Buses on both routes are equipped with ramps.

 

Parking

Limited wheelchair-accessible parking is available in the northeast parking lot and in the south drive. The spots are available on a first-come, first-served basis for visitors with accessible parking permits. Please speak to the Parking Enforcement Officer when you enter. 

There is no other public parking on the grounds of the Legislative Building. Vehicles may stop briefly in front of the main entrance for drop-off or pick-up only. 

Paid public parking is available at several lots within a 10-minute walk.

NOTICE: Due to COVID-19 protocols the building is currently closed.

To keep Parliament safe for everyone, all visitors are required to go through airport-style security screening when entering the Legislature.

 

Wait times

Wait times can be expected outside the visitors’ entrance. Access will likely take longer on days when the Legislature is in session (view the parliamentary calendar to see when the House is sitting). It is recommended to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to your appointment. The lineup starts outside, so please dress for the weather.

 

Screening

Alternative screening arrangements can be made upon arrival for visitors with special needs, those with pacemakers or other medical needs, and those who wish to opt-out of going through the X-ray machine in favour of a personal search. Speak with a Legislative Protective Service officer on duty.

 

Appointments

Currently, public access is by appointment only. If you have an appointment, you will be asked COVID-19 screening questions before going through the screening process. You will be required to wear a mask or face covering in the building.

NOTICE: Due to COVID-19 protocols the building is currently closed.

The Legislative Assembly prohibits the entry of certain items. Visitors found in possession of these items will not be allowed into the building.

Prohibited items include:

  • Any bag larger than 61.5 cm x 41 cm (24" x 16")
  • Firearms, including ammunition or replica guns
  • Disabling chemicals, including aerosol weapons
  • Flammable, toxic, or explosive materials
  • Sharp objects, including razors, box cutters, knives of any size (except those worn for ceremonial or religious reasons such as a kirpan)
  • Tools, including all hammers, screwdrivers, drills, saws, or crowbars, unless carried by an approved contractor
  • Club-like items, including martial arts weapons or devices, sports equipment
  • Illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia
  • Miscellaneous items, including slingshots, gas masks, electric stun guns (Taser)
  • Banners, placards, or any other item of demonstration
  • Materials with political or offensive slogans, including clothing
  • Transport devices not needed for accessibility

 

Permitted items include:

  • Jackets
  • Knapsacks
  • Electronics, such as laptops and cell phones
  • Mobility aids, such as wheelchairs, walkers, canes, and crutches
  • Food and drink, if you are not entering the Legislative Chamber

 

Coat check

NOTICE: Due to COVID-19 protocols, the coat check is currently unavailable.

A staffed coat check is available after going through the security screening process.

Please see public gallery protocols for what you can and cannot bring into the public galleries of the Legislative Chamber.

NOTICE: Due to COVID-19 protocols the building is currently closed.

  • All visitors will be asked to show government-issued photo identification upon arrival at the Legislative Building.
  • After the screening process, your identification will be returned to you and you will be given a pass that you must wear during your visit.
  • If you are going into the public galleries, you will also be given a gallery pass.

 

Privacy

The Office of the Assembly takes reasonable steps to protect your privacy. For more information, read our privacy policy. Questions can be directed to privacy@ola.org or to:

Accessibility, Records and Open Parliament
Room 3330
99 Wellesley St. W.,
Toronto, ON M7A 1A2

NOTICE: Due to COVID-19 protocols the building is currently closed.

Members of the public are welcome to watch the House proceedings from the public galleries in the Chamber. View the parliamentary calendar to see the dates that the House is sitting.

Learn about more ways to Watch the legislature in action.

 

Dates and times

When the Legislature is in session, the House meets Mondays from 10:15 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Tuesday to Thursday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dates and times are subject to change.

 

Gallery passes

To enter the galleries, you need a gallery pass:

  • Passes are available from the Legislative Protective Service officer at the visitors’ entrance. Ask for one when you complete your security screening. 

  • Passes are free. 

  • Passes are given out on a first-come, general seating basis. 

  • After you receive a pass, you will be directed to the gallery entrance. 

  • You will go through a secondary screening process at the gallery entrance before being seated. 

The galleries are equipped with closed captioning. Visitors using a wheelchair will be seated in a wheelchair-accessible area.

 

What isn't allowed in the public galleries?

Mobile phones, other electronics such as cameras and laptops, and personal items such as jackets, knapsacks, and parcels are not allowed inside the galleries. You will have to check all these items at the coat check before entering the Chamber. 

Purses can be brought into the galleries, but they will be searched beforehand at a secondary screening outside of the public galleries. 

Food and drink, including water bottles, cannot be brought into the galleries. 

Hats and headwear are not allowed in the public galleries, unless for religious purposes or medical reasons. 

The Legislative Protective Service may also require you to leave other items at the coat check before you enter the Chamber. When you are ready to leave, you can retrieve your items from the coat check. 

NOTICE: Due to COVID-19 protocols the building is currently closed.

The Legislative Building, including the visitors’ entrance and security screening area, is wheelchair accessible. A limited number of wheelchairs are available to visitors upon request. Please inquire with an officer of the Legislative Protective Service when you arrive. 

Alternative screening arrangements can be made upon arrival for visitors with special needs, those with pacemakers or other medical needs, and those who wish to opt-out of going through the X-ray machine in favour of a personal search. Speak with a Legislative Protective Service officer on duty. 

Service animals and mobility aids are allowed in the building. 

Support personnel can accompany you through the screening process. 

If you have questions about accessibility prior to your visit, please call Legislative Protective Service at 416-325-1114. 

NOTICE: Due to COVID-19 protocols the building is currently closed.

All visitors attending a booked event, such as a lobby day or an event hosted by the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, are required to go through the screening process. Lineups can occur, especially on days when the Legislature is in session, weekdays from Monday to Thursday in the fall and spring (view the parliamentary calendar to confirm House sitting days). You should arrive at least 30 minutes prior to your appointment.

If you are an event organizer, you will be provided with additional access details upon confirmation of your booking regarding bringing in signage/materials and catering for your event. 

NOTICE: Due to COVID-19 protocols the building is currently closed.

The following individuals attending booked school programs at the Legislative Building must be screened for entry:

  • Students in high school (grades 9 and up) and post-secondary
  • Adult English as a Second Language (ESL) students

Lineups can occur, so please arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the start of your program.

Students in grade 8 and younger, and adults supporting these groups, will not be screened. Additional access information will be provided to the group organizer upon program reservation and is also available in the School programs section of our website. A coat check area is available for school groups to leave knapsacks, lunch bags, etc.

NOTICE: Due to COVID-19 protocols the building is currently closed.

All visitors, including children, must go through screening when entering the Legislative Building. Parents and guardians can accompany small children. Babies and toddlers can be carried or kept in strollers. 

Photo identification is not required for children under the age of 16. 

Strollers are permitted and will also be screened. 

Alternative screening arrangements can be made upon arrival for visitors with special needs, medical needs, and those who wish to opt-out of going through the X-ray machine in favour of a personal search. Speak with a Legislative Protective Service officer on duty. 

NOTICE: Due to COVID-19 protocols the building is currently closed.

If you are a witness or presenting at a legislative committee, you are required to go through the screening process. As lineups can occur, please arrive 30 to 60 minutes prior to your presentation. You can call the Procedural Services Branch at 416-325-3500 for suggested arrival times for the date of your presentation. 

Read more about participating in committees.

NOTICE: Due to COVID-19 protocols the building is currently closed.

The Legislative Building’s cafeteria, Quorum Café, is open to visitors. The cafeteria serves breakfast, lunch, and snacks Monday to Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Please note that seating is limited. 

Quorum Café is open to the public who aren’t visiting the building for other reasons. For access, check in with the officer of the Legislative Protective Service at the visitors’ entrance. Please note that Legislative Protective Service may restrict access as a result of any event or demonstration.

NOTICE: Due to COVID-19 protocols the building is currently closed.

If you have any questions about the security screening process prior to your visit, or wish to provide feedback after your visit, contact Legislative Protective Service at 416-325-1114.