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Supreme Court of Canada at West Memorial Building

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Supreme Court of Canada at West Memorial Building
Photo: photo source

Canada's highest court moved into the restored West Memorial Building in 2026 while its permanent home began a long rehabilitation.

Guide's tip. Look for the Memorial Arch and the way a wartime office complex has become a temporary courtroom. Free guided tours explain how cases reach the court and how nine judges work; from September through April, an advance reservation is required and security screening takes time. Continue 0.48 miles east to the Centennial Flame on Parliament Hill.

On a walking tour. Stop 2 of 10 on the walking tour Ottawa, river, Parliament and national museums, every stop on a map in walking order.

Open till 17:00 · about 45 min for a visit

The story

The Supreme Court of Canada temporarily moved to the restored West Memorial Building in summer 2026 while its permanent home at 301 Wellington Street began a long rehabilitation. The move places the country’s highest court inside a Second World War era office complex joined to the East Memorial Building by the Memorial Arch.\n\nFree guided tours explain how cases reach the Court, how its nine judges work and how hearings shape Canadian law. The temporary setting also shows how an active institution can inhabit a heritage building without erasing its earlier purpose.\n\nFrom September through April, on-site tours run on weekdays by reservation. Summer rules differ, and hearings can change access on short notice. Allow time for security screening and verify the current Lyon Street entrance.

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