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House of Assembly Coat of Arms

House of Assembly

Newfoundland and Labrador

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Visiting the House of Assembly

There are several ways citizens can experience the House of Assembly and the democratic process in action.

Experience the focal point of democracy in our province! From our beginnings as a Colony of Great Britain, then a Dominion, and since 1949 a province of Canada, the Legislature has a rich history with many stories to tell.

Tours of the House of Assembly are free and take approximatively 45 minutes, departing from the Confederation Complex visitors' entrance (accessible from Allandale Road at the back of the complex, between the east and west blocks).

Tours are available Monday to Friday, excluding provincial government holidays. Tours are not available during evenings or weekends.

As of September 2, all tours must be booked in advance by contacting HOATours@gov.nl.ca or 709-729-3412.

Visitors to the House of Assembly must be aware of the following protocols:

Arrival & Registration

  • Visitors to the House of Assembly public galleries can access Confederation Building, East Block through either the front entrance (directly off Prince Phillip Drive) or the public service entrance at the northeast side of the building.
  • Visitor parking is available at the front entrance. Accessible parking is available near the northeast entrance.
  • Visitors must provide photo identification to security on arrival.
  • After obtaining a House of Assembly visitor card, visitors will be directed to the public gallery entrance for security screening.

Security Screening & Protocols for Bags/Packages & Electronic Devices:

  • All visitors to the public galleries will undergo security screening.
  • Visitors are encouraged to bring bags/packages only if it is essential.
  • All bags/packages will undergo security screening and visitors are advised to allow for extra time for the screening process prior to entry if they bring a bag/package.
  • Items/objects which are deemed by security personnel during the screening process to be a safety hazard or risk will not be permitted into the galleries.
  • Bags/packages cannot be taken with visitors to their seats. All bags/packages must be placed in the designated area in the public galleries at the visitor’s own risk. The House of Assembly will not assume liability for lost or stolen bags/items.
  • After security screening, visitors will be instructed when to enter the public galleries by security personnel.
  • Electronic devices are not permitted to be carried into the public galleries and must be checked with security personnel on arrival.

Protocols in the Public Galleries:

  • Visitors must be seated immediately upon entry and remain seated at all times unless leaving.
  • The following is not permitted, and visitors who engage in such activities may be asked to leave and may not be permitted entry to the public galleries for a designated period of time:
    • Demonstrations, including the display of signs, banners, buttons, clothing or other activities that may convey a political statement;
    • Approval or disapproval of House of Assembly business by applauding or talking;
    • Consumption of food and/or beverages;
    • Leaning over or placing objects on the gallery railing.

Leaving the Public Galleries:

  • Visitors are asked to exit the galleries as quietly as possible, especially if House of Assembly proceedings are ongoing.
  • Visitors who checked electronic devices upon entry should retrieve their device from security personnel in the public gallery prior to returning to the security desk at the main entrance to return their House of Assembly visitor card.
  • Visitors with a subsequent meeting with a Member of the House of Assembly, or in another department/area of Confederation Building, will be required to obtain a Confederation Building Complex visitor card. Visitors must make their own arrangements for escort to their subsequent meeting/business.
  • Visitors doing business with an MHA or officials of the House of Assembly will enter the Confederation Building complex at the visitor entrance (the northwest basement entrance in the East Block).
  • Visitors must provide photo identification to security who will issue a visitor identification card.
  • Visitors will need to be escorted to/from their meetings.