2023 Ottawa Tours
Welcome to the home of Ottawa Tours – From a Christian Perspective.
This tour was designed with Christians in mind as we explore museums, government buildings and other places in Ottawa to discover HOW Christian men, with Christian principles and virtues, influenced the settling of our capital and our political institutions.
Some of the places where you will hear about the influence of these great Christians include the JR Booth building & the Library of Parliament; the Rideau Canal; the Governor General’s residence – Rideau Hall; and even the current Senate Chamber, which was the old Union Station.
Please check out the FAQs below to answer any of your questions. If you still have questions, please contact us at christianrootscanada@gmail.com.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: WHO is this tour for?
A: This offer is for groups of 10 to 20 people (includes adult chaperones).
Q: Do we have to coordinate our own groups and then you take us on the tours?
A:The answer is YES. The Group Leader will communicate with Lynette on behalf of the group to make the best use of your day of touring.
NOTE: There is shared accommodation at the university campus. For safety and security reasons, each group MUST coordinate their own sleeping arrangements to avoid sharing a room with strangers.
Room allocation with names must be submitted to the university in advance of the tours.
Q: Can parents also attend?
A: ABSOLUTELY. When parents attend it makes for a more enjoyable learning experience.
Q: Your prices also say $250/person. What is covered?
A: The prices cover Accommodation, Meals, Teaching & Teaching Resources and Insurance.
It does not include PARKING around Ottawa, MUSEUM COSTS or any other incidental costs (e.g. use of the pool at Carleton University).
Q: What Do I Get?
- Accommodation (at Carleton University based on availability)
- Meals
- Customized planning and personal teaching for 4 to 7 hours a day, based on the group’s interest and availability of the tour requested.
- Beautifully designed booklet showing the locations you will visit so that you will leave with a valuable memento of your Ottawa Tour.
- 10% Discount on any future purchases from ChristianRoots Canada in 2023
Q: What if I live near Ottawa and do not need accommodation?
A: Your reduced price is $100/pp.
Q: How do I know if Guided Tours are available for the House of Commons or the Senate for the dates I choose?
A: Check availability of tickets here.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Visitors to the House of Commons and The Senate Chamber must follow these rules:
- All visitors are required to go through security screening when entering the buildings. Line-ups are to be expected. Please arrive 25 minutes before your tour start time.
- Only one (1) bag smaller than 35.5 cm x 30.5 cm x 19 cm (14” x 12” x 7.5”) is permitted per visitor. Visitors carrying any item that exceeds these dimensions will be denied entry.
Additional Resources
From January 2019, the Centre Block has been closed for renovations of our iconic building which is over 100 years old. Renovations will continue for a period of approximately 10 to 15 years. The House of Commons now meet temporarily in the West Block while the Senate now meets in the building which used to be the old Union Station.
The renovations at the Senate Chamber have been spectacular and give a glimpse into our history when railways were the preferred method of travel. We hope you will take a moment to visit the Senate through the videos below.
Take a virtual trip down our nation’s memory lane.
The Senate:
About the Senate Building (8 VERY short videos)
Artwork & Heritage at the Senate of Canada (14 short videos)
Educational Materials (Recommended for high school, college and university students – ages 14+)
Attend Debates and Committees – House of Commons & Senate
The Senate of Canada Building
History of Canada’s Senate
Visit Canada’s Parliament
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Ever since the renovations on Centre Block began, Christians have expressed concerns about the expunging of the Scripture verses from Parliament Hill. The links to the short videos below demonstrate the care that has been taken to preserve our heritage. Even the Carillon tells the story of the war dead. Have a listen.
The Peace Tower
History of the Carillon – you might be surprised to know that it was inspired by World War I in memory of those who gave their lives on the battlefield.
Repair of the Carillon (while Centre Block is being renovated)
Repair & Restoration of The Stained Glass Windows