"Official" Ottawa - a brief tour

Bank of Canada complex

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The original stone Bank, built in 1937, is now dwarfed by a blue glass addition that surrounds it, across the street from the Supreme Court. The Bank ultimately controls all Canadian interest rates, and influences the economy.

Lester B Pearson Global Affairs Building

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It is named for the late PM who won the Nobel Peace Prize for devising UN Peacekeeping.

the Rideau Canal passing by the Federal Conference Centre

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It was originally a very luxurious station, built beside the Rideau Canal for the Grand Trunk Railway in 1912. A tunnel gave direct access to the Chateau Laurier, so that posh passengers would not have to experience the elements.

on the grounds of the Federal Police College

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Advanced training is given to RCMP personnel and those of other police forces at this College. The Stables and the Musical Ride horses are also housed at this site.

the historic Old Drill Hall

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This Italianate Style gem (1878) across the street from NDHQ, was constructed for the Governor General’s Foot Guards. They still use it, as do the Cameron Highlanders. It was from this building that troops embarked by train to put down the Northwest (Riel) Rebellion of 1885, thus providing the first proof of the new transcontinental railway’s value.

The Royal Canadian Mint

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The Royal Canadian Mint (908) is open for guided tours. You can follow the complete process of coin production, and see what a million dollars in gold bars looks and feels like. It now just refines gold and produces only gold and silver commemorative coins. Ordinary coins and coinage for dozens of foreign nations are now made at a satellite Mint in Winnipeg.

the original Dominion Observatory

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This Romanesque Revival structure, built in 1905, served to 1970. It is now home to the Office of Energy Efficiency.

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

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Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation sets building standards in Canada, develops new ways to finance home purchases, encourages innovation in housing design and technology, and provides mortgage loan insurance. It helps low-income and older Canadians, the disabled, and First Nations people to live in decent, affordable homes. It also helps the housing industry export its knowledge and skills to other countries, and is Canada’s largest publisher of housing information.

the County Courthouse and Land Registry office

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It was opened in 1986 right beside the new City Hall. It replaced the former courthouse, built around 1870. It holds thirty-five court rooms, registry offices and the various services normally required in such a complex.

The Mayor's office was formerly the Normal School

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This heritage building, the former Ottawa Teachers’ College (1875), was what we used to call a “Normal School”. It’s now an integral part of the City Hall complex, housing the Mayor’s Office and other facilities. It is reportedly haunted, some say by the ghost of a former staff member. [or perhaps by a disgruntled ratepayer?]