Canadian Parliament

View from Bell Tower of Ottowa in storm

Our bit of Canada experienced a large ice storm that rolled across in time for Thursday, so we put on our snow gear (snowboots, jackets, gloves, beanies and lined jeans, and full overalls for Mr 4) and went and visited the Canadian parliament, on the strength that it was indoors, and free. Although Anne Arundel would have cancelled school, Ottowa kept on running, although Montreal lost quite a few power transformers due to ice.
Security at the Canadian parliament was considerably less than at the US Embassy. It was closer to airport security, but more friendly and relaxed.
Most of the parliament was built in 1859-1866 (Centre, East and West Blocks) but a catastrophic fire burnt it all down, although a quick thinking employee saved the precious library by shutting the iron doors. They rebuilt the parliament in the dying stages of WWI, but the comparison between the architectural styles of the library (High Victorian Gothic Revival), and of the rest of the parliament (Modern Gothic Revival) is quite interesting. Our guide said  the new section was very stern and austere, but I kind of liked it.
Canada's parliament has a Senate (red), which is full of people who are appointed (!!!), so that it represents minorities and people other than politicians. Appointments are for life, from 35 onwards. As a side note, they are having their very own expenses scandal in the Canadian Senate right now, proving that it isn't just politicians. Maybe it is the politics.
The house of Commons (Green) has the politicians in it.
On the grounds of Parliament are various statues celebrating generally men doing nation building/war mongering things. Except for the monument to the five women who managed to get women declared 'persons' so that they could be eligible for appointment to the Senate (1929).