Guided Tours
On-Site Tours
A visit to the Supreme Court of Canada gives one the opportunity to become better acquainted with Canada's highest court. Our guide-interpreters, who are all law students, will familiarize visitors with the operation of the Canadian judicial system and will explain how legal issues of public importance are dealt with by the Supreme Court of Canada. When the Court is in session, it is possible to attend a hearing.
Recommended age group: all ages
Duration: 30 minutes (45 minutes for school groups)
Group size: maximum 50
Fee: none
Schedule of Tours and Reservations
September to April
The Supreme Court of Canada building is open to the public from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday. Guided tours are available by pre-arrangement only. The building is closed on Saturdays, Sundays and statutory holidays.
Reservations for guided tours should be made in advance by filling out the on-line reservation request form.
Please note that it may, for reasons related to the work of the Court, be necessary to alter or cancel guided tours, sometimes on short notice.
Remote Tours
If you can’t come to the Supreme Court of Canada, the Court can now come to you! Remote tours will be offered by our guide-interpreters, who will teach you more about the Court and its history through pictures and interesting facts.
Schedule of tours: from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET, Monday to Friday
Recommended age group: all ages
Duration: 45 minutes
Group size: maximum 50
Fee: none
Reservations for guided tours should be made in advance by filling out the on-line reservation request form.
Please note that it may, for reasons related to the work of the Court, be necessary to alter or cancel guided tours, sometimes on short notice.
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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