West Block

Ottawa, Canada

Exterior only

Visible from the street; the inside is private.

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The West Block stands as one of three principal buildings on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, a Victorian High Gothic structure originally completed in 1865 and extended twice thereafter. Designed by architect Augustus Laver, this classified federal heritage building serves multiple parliamentary functions, housing offices for parliamentarians, a branch of the Library of Parliament, committee rooms, and preserved pre-Confederation spaces. Since January 2019, it has accommodated the interim House of Commons Chamber during renovations to the Centre Block. The building's architectural significance is underscored by its appearance on the obverse of the Canadian five-dollar bill.