Toronto Guide
Toronto
The Ontario Legislative Assembly Building
Opening time: Thirty-minute guided tours: late May to Aug Mon– Fri 10am–4pm, Sat & Sun 9am–4pm; Sept to late May Mon– Fri 10am–4pm
Price: Free
Telephone: 416/325-7500
Website: www.ontla.on.ca
Peering down University Avenue, from just north of College Street, the pink sandstone mass of the Ontario Legislative Assembly Building dates to the 1890s. Elegant it certainly isn't, but although the building is heavy and solid, its ponderous symmetries do have a certain appeal, with block upon block of roughly dressed stone assembled in the full flourish of the Romanesque Revival style. Seen from close up, the design is even more engaging, its intricacies a pleasant surprise: above the chunky columns of the main entrance is a sinuous filigree of carved stone adorned by mythological creatures and gargoyle faces. The main facade also sports a Neoclassical frieze in which the Great Seal of Ontario is flanked by allegorical figures representing art, music, agriculture and so forth. Inside, the foyer leads to the wide, thickly carpeted Grand Staircase, whose massive timbers are supported by gilded iron pillars. Beyond, among the long corridors and arcaded galleries, is the Legislative Chamber, where the formality of the mahogany and sycamore panels is offset by a series of whimsical little carvings: look for the owl overlooking the doings of the government and the hawk overseeing the opposition benches. Under the Speaker's gallery, righteous inscriptions have been carved into the pillars, which is a bit of a hoot considering the behaviour of the building's architect, Richard Waite. Waite was chairman of the committee responsible for selecting an architect; and, as chairman, he selected himself. The provincial assembly typically sits from late September to late June, with breaks at Christmas and Easter, and although guided tours avoid the chamber when the body is in session, the visitors' gallery is open to the public during its deliberations.