What Should I Know About Visiting the BC Parliament Buildings in Victoria?

Dominating Victoria’s Inner Harbour, the BC Parliament Buildings are one of the most iconic and beautiful legislative buildings in the world. With their majestic dome and intricate architecture, they are a must-see for any visitor. But what can you actually do there in 2025 and 2026? Here’s your guide to exploring this historic and active seat of power.

Can I Go Inside the Parliament Buildings?

Yes, you can! The Parliament Buildings are open to the public, and even better, the tours are completely free. This is a fantastic opportunity to see the stunning interior of the building and learn about British Columbia’s history and government.

You have two main options for exploring the buildings:

• Guided Tours: These 40-minute tours run regularly on weekdays and are led by knowledgeable guides who will share stories about the building’s history, architecture, and the legislative process.
• Self-Guided Tours: If you prefer to explore at your own pace, you can pick up a self-guided tour booklet and wander through the public areas of the building.

What Will I See Inside?

The interior of the Parliament Buildings is just as impressive as the exterior. Be sure to look for:

• The Rotunda: The grand, central dome is a masterpiece of design. Look up to appreciate the intricate details and the marble and gilt plasterwork.
• The Stained Glass Windows: The building is home to over 100 stunning stained and leaded glass windows, many created by the Powell Brothers of Leeds, UK. They feature quotations from famous writers and philosophers, including Shakespeare, Milton, and Socrates. Don’t miss the magnificent Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Window, a modern masterpiece created in 2002 by Victoria artisans Edward Schaefer and Thomas Mercer.
• The Legislative Chamber: While you can’t go onto the floor of the chamber, you can view it from the public gallery and imagine the debates and decisions that take place there.
• The Hall of Honour: This beautiful hall features a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, an early French renaissance-style ceiling, and displays about BC’s history and notable citizens.
• Art and Sculpture: The Legislative Library showcases 32 statues and medallions by artists Charles Marega (who carved 14 historical figures like Captain George Vancouver and Chief Maquinna) and Bernard Carrier (who contributed 6 medallions of literary giants like Homer and Shakespeare, and 12 allegorical Muses).

What’s New and Interesting?

The Parliament Buildings are not just a museum; they are a working building that is constantly being updated.

• Recent Renovations: In 2024, the legislative chamber underwent a $300,000 renovation to add six new seats to accommodate the growing legislature of 93 members. This highlights the ongoing challenge of adapting a historic building for modern use.
• Long-Term Modernization: There is a long-term, 25-year plan to modernize the building’s aging systems, including plumbing, heating, electrical, and fire detection. A major focus is on a seismic upgrade, estimated to cost between $700-900 million. This is a massive undertaking for a 130-year-old building.
• LED Lighting: The building has recently been retrofitted with a sophisticated LED lighting system that is more energy-efficient and can be programmed to highlight the building’s architectural features. The new automated lighting system features color-tuning technology that mimics natural daylight through false skylights and adjusts to exterior light conditions via sensors.
• Security Upgrades: You may notice some changes to the lawn and surrounding areas as the province undertakes public realm and security upgrades, including new pathways and removable bollards.

Fine Dining In the Basement

Parliamentary Dining Room located in the basement of the BC Legislature building in Victoria, and it’s open to the public. This “hidden gem” restaurant is located in the basement of the BC Legislature and offers dining in a historic setting.

Tucked away in the basement of British Columbia’s stately Parliament Buildings lies one of Victoria’s best-kept dining secrets. The Parliamentary Dining Room offers visitors a unique opportunity to dine where provincial lawmakers eat, in a setting steeped in nearly a century of political history.

A Hidden Gem in Government Halls

This “hidden gem” restaurant is located in the basement of the BC Legislature and offers dining in a historic setting that feels like stepping back in time. White tablecloths, cut glassware, red carnations in china vases, and photographs from the B.C. Archives adorning the elegantly papered walls create a dining room that probably looks just about the same as it did eighty years ago.

It’s old-fashioned and clubby, much the same as it’s been for the last century or so, and chances are you’ll be rubbing elbows with the movers and shakers in the provincial government.

Getting Inside: Security and Access

Dining at the Parliamentary Dining Room requires navigating government security protocols, but the experience is worth the effort. You must bring government-issued photo ID, which you’ll exchange for a visitor security pass. You’ll go through airport-style security including X-ray and metal detector.

Enter through the Mowat entrance, located to the right of the main entrance at the front steps of the Legislature. Once through security, the basement dining rooms are found by following a green line painted on the stone walls through the building’s historic corridors.

The Dining Experience

The Parliamentary Dining Room serves both government officials and the public, creating a unique atmosphere where visitors can literally dine alongside MLAs. Don’t expect groundbreaking or edgy cuisine on the regular menu. Well-executed lunch classics like a clubhouse, sirloin salad, grilled Montreal smoked meat, and burgers prevail.

A daily special sheet reflects the flavours of the season and gives the chef a chance to show off creative talents with more daring dishes. The restaurant is also licensed, offering beer and wine selections alongside non-alcoholic beverages.

What makes this dining experience particularly special is the value. The prices are noticeably lower than most downtown restaurants of comparable quality, a result of the Dining Room’s lower operating costs compared with privately owned restaurants. Most mains are under $20, making it an exceptional deal for the quality and unique setting.

Practical Information

Hours of Operation: Open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM – 3:00 PM (Friday until 2:00 PM) Closed weekends Hours may be reduced when parliament is in session

Reservations: Reservations are highly recommended and can be made by calling ahead. The restaurant is popular and often fully booked.

Menu:

• Breakfast and lunch service
• Classic dishes with daily specials
• Licensed for alcoholic beverages
• Prices around $17-20 for main dishes

A Unique Victoria Experience

The Parliamentary Dining Room offers more than just a meal—it’s a chance to experience a piece of British Columbia’s political history in an intimate setting. This experience is too unique to pass up if you live in Victoria, if just to say you’ve done it.

Whether you’re a local looking to impress visitors or a tourist seeking an authentic taste of Victoria’s governmental heritage, dining in the basement of the BC Legislature provides a memorable culinary adventure that combines history, politics, and surprisingly good value in the heart of Canada’s westernmost capital.

The Architect: A 25-Year-Old Visionary and a Controversial Budget

The story of the architect is as fascinating as the building itself. Francis Rattenbury was just 25 years old when he won the international competition to design the Parliament Buildings in 1892. His visionary design, a mix of “free classical, renaissance, and Romanesque” styles, has stood the test of time. He prioritized local materials, using granite from Nelson Island and stone from Haddington Island. The final cost of the building was over $923,000, a 50% cost overrun from the original $600,000 budget that sparked a political controversy that contributed to the downfall of the government of the day.

The Golden Statue and the Nightly Lights

The golden statue on top of the dome is of Captain George Vancouver, the British expedition leader who circumnavigated Vancouver Island in the 1790s. The statue was carved by Albert Franz Cizek and is covered in gold leaf. At night, the building is illuminated by over 3,500 energy-efficient light bulbs, a tradition that started in 1897 for Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee.

Practical Information for Visitors

• Location: On Belleville Street, right on the Inner Harbour.
• Hours: Open to the public on weekdays, with expanded hours in the summer. Check the website for the most up-to-date tour times.
• Admission: Free.
• Security: Be prepared to go through a security screening when you enter the building.

A visit to the BC Parliament Buildings is a must-do for any visitor to Victoria coming here in 2025 or 2026. It’s a chance to step inside a stunning architectural masterpiece, learn about the province’s history and government, and even witness democracy in action. From the boy-wonder architect to the modern-day challenges of maintaining a heritage building, the stories of the Parliament Buildings are as captivating as the building itself.