Explore the sections below for information about visiting the Ontario Legislature. Please note that, to keep Parliament safe for everyone, all visitors are required to go through airport-style security screening when entering the Legislative Building. We look forward to welcoming you to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario!
If you require emergency assistance while visiting the Legislative Precinct, please contact 416-325-1111. If there is an emergency that results in the closure of the Legislative Building, we will post a notice at the top of this page, as well as on our home page, when feasible. We will also post notices if any of our accessible entrances are out of service.
All visitors must enter through the visitors’ entrance, located at the south side of the building, just west of the three centre archways. There is signage outside the Legislative Building to direct you to the visitors’ entrance.
Hours
Monday–Thursday: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Friday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For tour schedules and reservations, visit Tours and webinars.
Location
The Legislative Building is located in Queen’s Park in downtown Toronto, just north of University Avenue and College Street. The building’s address is 111 Wellesley Street West. Some branches of the Office of the Legislative Assembly are located in Whitney Block at 99 Wellesley Street West.
See the location of the Legislative Building on a map (external link)
Public transit
For transit schedules and maps, visit the Toronto Transit Commission (external link)
Subway
Queen’s Park station on the Yonge-University subway line is the closest subway stop to the main entrance. The station is on College Street, just south of the Legislative Building. The station has an elevator to street level.
Streetcar
The 506 Carlton Street streetcar stops at Queen’s Park station.
Bus
The 13 Avenue Road bus and 94 Wellesley Street bus both stop near the Legislative Building. Buses on both routes are equipped with ramps.
Parking
Limited wheelchair-accessible parking is available in the northeast parking lot and in the south drive. The spots are available on a first-come, first-served basis for visitors with accessible parking permits. Please speak to the Parking Enforcement Officer when you enter.
There is no other public parking on the grounds of the Legislative Building. Vehicles may stop briefly in front of the main entrance for drop-off or pick-up only.
Paid public parking is available at several lots within a 10-minute walk.
To keep Parliament safe for everyone, all visitors are required to go through airport-style security screening when entering the Legislature.
Wait times
Wait times can be expected outside the visitors’ entrance. Access will likely take longer on days when the Legislature is in session (view the parliamentary calendar to see when the House is sitting). It is recommended to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to your appointment. The lineup starts outside, so please dress for the weather.
Screening
Alternative screening arrangements can be made upon arrival for visitors with special needs, those with pacemakers or other medical needs, and those who wish to opt-out of going through the X-ray machine in favour of a personal search. Speak with a Legislative Protective Service officer on duty.
The Legislative Assembly prohibits the entry of certain items. Visitors found in possession of these items will not be allowed into the building.
Prohibited items include:
- Any bag larger than 61.5 cm x 41 cm (24" x 16")
- Firearms, including ammunition or replica guns
- Disabling chemicals, including aerosol weapons
- Flammable, toxic, or explosive materials
- Sharp objects, including razors, box cutters, knives of any size (except those worn for ceremonial or religious reasons such as a kirpan)
- Tools, including all hammers, screwdrivers, drills, saws, or crowbars, unless carried by an approved contractor
- Club-like items, including martial arts weapons or devices, sports equipment
- Illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia
- Miscellaneous items, including slingshots, gas masks, electric stun guns (Taser)
- Banners, placards, or any other item of demonstration
- Materials with political or offensive slogans, including clothing
- Transport devices not needed for accessibility
Permitted items include:
- Jackets
- Knapsacks
- Electronics, such as laptops and cell phones
- Mobility aids, such as wheelchairs, walkers, canes, and crutches
- Food and drink, if you are not entering the Legislative Chamber
Coat check
A staffed coat check is available after going through the security screening process on days when the Legislature is meeting.
Please see public gallery protocols for what you can and cannot bring into the public galleries of the Legislative Chamber.
- All visitors will be asked to show government-issued photo identification upon arrival at the Legislative Building.
- After the screening process, your identification will be returned to you and you will be given a pass that you must wear during your visit.
- If you are going into the public galleries, you will also be given a gallery pass.
Privacy
The Office of the Assembly takes reasonable steps to protect your privacy. For more information, read our privacy policy. Questions can be directed to privacy@ola.org or to:
Accessibility, Records and Open Parliament
Room 3330
99 Wellesley St. W.,
Toronto, ON M7A 1A2
Members of the public are welcome to watch the House proceedings from the public galleries in the Chamber. View the parliamentary calendar to see the dates that the House is sitting.
Learn about more ways to Watch the legislature in action.
Dates and times
When the Legislature is in session, the House meets Mondays from 10:15 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Tuesday to Thursday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dates and times are subject to change.
Gallery passes
To enter the galleries, you need a gallery pass:
- Passes are available from the Legislative Protective Service officer at the visitors’ entrance. Ask for one when you complete your security screening.
- Passes are free.
- Passes are given out on a first-come, general seating basis.
- After you receive a pass, you will be directed to the gallery entrance.
- You will go through a secondary screening process at the gallery entrance before being seated.
The galleries are equipped with closed captioning. Visitors using a wheelchair will be seated in a wheelchair-accessible area.
What isn't allowed in the public galleries?
Mobile phones, other electronics such as cameras and laptops, and personal items such as jackets, knapsacks, and parcels are not allowed inside the galleries. You will have to check all these items at the coat check before entering the Chamber.
Purses can be brought into the galleries, but they will be searched beforehand at a secondary screening outside of the public galleries.
Food and drink, including water bottles, cannot be brought into the galleries.
Hats and headwear are not allowed in the public galleries, unless for religious purposes or medical reasons.
The Legislative Protective Service may also require you to leave other items at the coat check before you enter the Chamber. When you are ready to leave, you can retrieve your items from the coat check.
The Legislative Building, including the visitors’ entrance and security screening area, is wheelchair accessible. A limited number of wheelchairs are available to visitors upon request. Please inquire with an officer of the Legislative Protective Service when you arrive.
Alternative screening arrangements can be made upon arrival for visitors with special needs, those with pacemakers or other medical needs, and those who wish to opt-out of going through the X-ray machine in favour of a personal search. Speak with a Legislative Protective Service officer on duty.
Service animals and mobility aids are allowed in the building.
Support personnel can accompany you through the screening process.
If you have questions about accessibility prior to your visit, please call Legislative Protective Service at 416-325-1114.
All visitors, including children, must go through screening when entering the Legislative Building. Parents and guardians can accompany small children. Babies and toddlers can be carried or kept in strollers.
Photo identification is not required for children under the age of 16.
Strollers are permitted and will also be screened.
Alternative screening arrangements can be made upon arrival for visitors with special needs, medical needs, and those who wish to opt-out of going through the X-ray machine in favour of a personal search. Speak with a Legislative Protective Service officer on duty.
Any students grade 9 and up and all adults attending booked school programs at the Legislative Building must be screened for entry.
Lineups can occur, so please arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the start of your program.
Students in grade 8 and younger will not be screened. Additional access information will be provided to the group organizer upon program reservation and is also available in the School programs section of our website. A coat check area is available for school groups to leave knapsacks, lunch bags, etc.
All visitors, including children, must go through screening when entering the Legislative Building. Parents and guardians can accompany small children. Babies and toddlers can be carried or kept in strollers.
Photo identification is not required for children under the age of 16.
Strollers are permitted and will also be screened.
Alternative screening arrangements can be made upon arrival for visitors with special needs, medical needs, and those who wish to opt-out of going through the X-ray machine in favour of a personal search. Speak with a Legislative Protective Service officer on duty.
If you are a witness or presenting at a legislative committee, you are required to go through the screening process. As lineups can occur, please arrive 30 to 60 minutes prior to your presentation. You can call the Procedural Services Branch at 416-325-3500 for suggested arrival times for the date of your presentation.
Read more about participating in committees.
The Legislative Building’s cafeteria (Quorum Café) and restaurant (In Camera) are open to visitors. Learn more about our food services. Please note that seating is limited.
If you are hosting a meeting with a member in the Legislative Building, catering services are available.
If you have any questions about the security screening process prior to your visit, or wish to provide feedback after your visit, contact Legislative Protective Service at 416-325-1114.