Guided Tours
Take part in a free on-site or remote tour to learn about Canada's highest court.
During your tour, you will learn more about the architecture of the building, the Canadian judicial system and how the Supreme Court of Canada deals with important legal issues.
When the Court is in session, you can also attend a hearing.
Important: For reasons related to the work of the Court, guided tours may be changed or cancelled on short notice.
On-Site Tours
Come explore the Court in person. On-site tours:
- are suitable for all age groups
- take about 30 minutes
- can accommodate groups of up to 50 people
- are offered free of charge
Schedule of public tours and reservations
Date |
Time |
Details |
May to August |
9 am to 5 pm ET daily, including weekends |
|
September to April |
9 am to 5 pm ET Monday to Friday |
|
Remote Tours
If you can’t come to the Supreme Court of Canada, the Court can come to you. Remote tours are offered live by our guide-interpreters, who will teach you about the Court and its history through pictures and interesting facts.
Remote tours:
- are offered from 9 am to 4:30 pm Eastern Time, Monday to Friday
- are suitable for all age groups
- take about 30 minutes
- can accommodate groups of up to 50 people
- are offered free of charge
Reservations for remote tours must be made in advance. Book a tour now.
Tours for school groups
Tours for school groups:
- are offered from 9 am to 4 pm Eastern Time, Monday to Friday both on-site and remotely
- are suitable for all age groups
- take about 45 minutes
- can accommodate groups of up to 50 people
- are offered free of charge
- may include a short mock trial
Getting to the Court
Quick Links
Address and Contact Information
Supreme Court of Canada
301 Wellington Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0J1
Telephone: 613-995-5361 or 1-866-360-1522
Fax: 613-941-5817
Email: tour-visite@scc-csc.ca
Security measures
All visitors will be asked to go through a metal detector before entering the building. In order to facilitate this process, it is recommended that visitors leave personal effects in their respective vehicles when possible. Backpacks, large bags and video recording devices are not permitted in the building.
Directions
To visit the Supreme Court of Canada when coming from Montreal take the Trans Canada highway, route 417 west. Take the Metcalfe exit, number 119. Turn right onto Kent Street and continue down Kent to Wellington, then go straight through the lights. The Supreme Court of Canada is set back from a busy Wellington Street by an expanse of lawn on your left.
Parking Information
There is no parking available at the Supreme Court of Canada, but a number of public and municipal lots are located nearby.
Public Transit
The Supreme Court of Canada is served by a number of public transit services. If you are travelling from within Ottawa, please consult OC Transpo to learn about O-Train and bus routes. Please note that the closest O-Train station is located on Lyon Street. Contact the Société de transport de l'Outaouais for routes and schedules from Gatineau.
Tour Buses
There are drop-off areas along Wellington Street, and tour bus parking is available throughout the city.
Accessibility
Wheelchair Accessibility 
- The Supreme Court of Canada is wheelchair accessible.
- A ramp is located at the entrance along the Eastern side of the building (facing the building, this is the entrance along the right-hand wall of the building).
- All public elevators and ramps are large enough to accommodate wheelchairs and motorized scooters.
Ramp located at the east side entrance
Visually impaired visitors
To enhance the experience of our visually impaired visitors and give them a better understanding of the building, the guides use a touchable scale model of the building and of our statues during guided tours.
A reservation must be made.
Touchable scale model of the building
Touchable scale model of our statues
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