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: Guided tours may be shortened or cancelled without notice due to the work of the Court.

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

August 31, 2024 to April 30, 2025

9 am to 5 pm ET Monday to Friday

  • All guided tours are available by reservation only
  • When the Court is in session, tours are still running, but the main courtroom is closed to visitors
  • However, you can attend a hearing
    • Check the hearing schedule  to see when the Court is in session and reserve a seat in the courtroom

Remote Tours

If you can’t come to the Supreme Court of Canadathe 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

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. To facilitate this process, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with the Court’s security screening procedures.

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.

Localization Map

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 Enseigne d'accès en fauteuil roulant

  • 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 inside the building
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 buiding
Touchable scale model of the building

Touchable scale model of the statues
Touchable scale model of our statues