Visiting the House of Assembly
Location
The House of Assembly Chamber is located on the main floor of the Confederation Building (East Block) on Prince Philip Drive, St. John's.
Public Galleries
Visitors may watch the House proceedings from the Public Galleries whenever the House is in session. The House usually sits from 1:30 - 5:30 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays and from 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. on Wednesdays. The Parliamentary Calendar provides that the House shall ordinarily meet in the Winter/Spring from the second Monday in March with a break for Easter, and in the Fall for a minimum of four weeks adjourning not later than one week before Christmas.
Visiting the Public Galleries
It is important to remember that there are certain customs you must observe to ensure that the proceedings take place without disturbances:
- Before entering the public galleries, visitors must walk through a metal detector at the third floor entrance.
- Please leave items including cameras, cellular devices, packages and bags (other than purses) with the attendant in the third floor lobby.
- Please do not enter the galleries until you are instructed to do so by the lobby attendants.
- Please be seated once you enter the public galleries. There is no standing capacity.
- Demonstrations are not permitted in the public galleries, including the display of signs, banners, buttons or other activities that may convey a political statement.
- Please do not show approval or disapproval of activities taking place on the floor of the Chamber by applauding or talking out loud.
- Smoking, eating and drinking are not permitted in the galleries.
- For your safety and the safety of those on the Chamber floor, do not lean over or place objects on the gallery railing.
- We kindly ask that you leave the public galleries as quietly as possible.