Confederation Building, Ottawa

The Confederation Building, located in Ottawa just west of the Parliament Buildings at Bank and Wellington Streets, is an impressive gothic revival office building. It was skillfully designed by Richard Cotsman Wright and Thomas W. Fuller and is commonly regarded as a significant part of Parliament Hill.

The area where the Confederation Building and the Supreme Court of Canada now stand was once occupied by residential homes and businesses. These properties were acquired by the government through expropriation to make way for the construction of new federal buildings.

Construction of the Confederation Building commenced on July 1, 1927, with the laying of the cornerstone by Lord Willingdon, the Governor General, as part of Canada's Diamond Jubilee celebrations. It was completed in 1931.

Initially, the building accommodated employees from various government departments, with the Department of Agriculture being the largest occupant. Presently, it serves as the workplace for civil servants as well as several Members of Parliament (MPs) and ministers. Numerous MPs from the Conservative, Liberal, and NDP parties have their offices in the Confederation Building, including some junior cabinet members.