Stop 3: Listening to Parliament Hill

Parliament Hill is much more than a set of buildings that house the federal government; it is a federal public space where notions of “Canadianness” are constructed and conveyed to citizens and the broader world. It is here that so-called Canadian values - such as inclusion, multiculturalism, peacekeeping, and democracy - are represented, voiced, celebrated, challenged, and enshrined into law.

As a place where national narratives are consolidated and contested, Parliament Hill is a site of both harmony and dissonance, and the sounds resonating in these spaces add to the complexity of these stories. An array of different events take place on Parliament Hill, from official ceremonies and celebrations to public protests and demonstrations, each adding to the soundscapes that define the nation and what it means to be Canadian. These sounds - whether the formal speeches of politicians, the anthems sung during national celebrations, or the chants of protestors - are evidence of the diverse and often conflicting voices that make up the Canadian nation. It is a space where the ideals of the nation are performed and interpreted, where they may be audibly expressed and subject to negotiation and redefinition. It is a place where the ongoing projects of settler colonialism and national-building are sonically articulated and negotiated.

​​​Parliament Hill is also a site that is deeply rooted in British colonial history, from its Gothic Revival architecture, to the traditional imperial ceremonies that take place on the grounds. These are unequivocal statements of the Canadian government’s continuity with England, the Westminster parliamentary system, the British Crown, and the institutions of Christianity. Many of the sounds on the Hill reflect this imperial heritage, including official speeches, ceremonies, and events that center whiteness and settler colonial narratives.

​​The parliament buildings are monumental, and the grounds are carefully manicured, protected, and policed. Visitors are permitted to roam freely during the day, and the sprawling front lawn hosts a variety of activities from official Canada Day celebrations to yoga classes and salsa lessons run by a local studio.

While this is designed to give the appearance of openness, and project an image of Canada as liberal, tolerant, and inclusive nation, Parliament Hill remains a highly controlled and monitored space marked by a strong police and military presence. These hierarchical structures prioritize certain sounds and bodies over others.

An aspect of spatial management on Parliament Hill is the strict regulation of sound. The guidelines implemented in May 2023 are designed to prevent public sounds from interfering with official parliamentary activities. For example, amplified sound is prohibited during state-curated ceremonies, such as the Changing of the Guard, and performances by the Dominion Carillonneur. The soundscape of the Hill is thus a complex negotiation between public access and institutional control that balances public accessibility with institutional authority. The result is a carefully choreographed environment that reflects both democratic ideals and established power structures.