For my non-Canadian friends Canada House is the home of the High Commission of Canada to the United Kingdom. It hosts consular facilities for Canadians to renew passports or apply for emergency assistance, visa and immigration processing services, a military liaison office, trade officers, political officers and a public affairs section. Canada House is used for special events, hosting conferences, receptions, lectures and lunches. The Canada House Gallery stages exhibitions of historical and contemporary art and artefacts. It is located at Trafalgar Square.
The building was built in 1820 and the former home of the Union Club. In 1922 Prime Minister William Lyon McKenzie-King wanted a suitable home for our countries diplomatic mission. In 1964 Canada acquired a lease of the next door former offices of the Royal College of Physicians. They renovated the building so it's hard to see where the walls were. On February 19, 2015 Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip officially reopened Canada House.
Upstairs there are many rooms, one for each province and territory. I've posted pictures below. The British Columbia room was very west coast with native art work and wood tables made from BC wood. The Saskatchewan room was a little smaller but had a board room table surrounded by chairs that were the green colour of the Saskatchewan Roughriders! There was also a Mounties wide flat brim stetson type hat that is worn with the red serge. It was given to Canada House by former High Commissioner Gordon Campbell from British Columbia. Apparently his grandfather was in the RCMP and it was his hat.
On the third floor there is a wonderful balcony. The view is amazing. The Canadian Pacific building is across the street. On July 1st, to celebrate our 150 years in Confederation Canada House had a huge party in Trafalgar Square. I saw pictures my UK friends posted on Facebook. They brought in a truck that sold Tim Hortons goodies and the line was right around Trafalgar Square. The wait was three hours. One person who was there early bought a lot of boxes of 6 Timbits. He then went to the end of the line and sold a six pack of Tim Bits for £20.00. Lexi said "now that's a great entrepreneur!"
Lexi really enjoyed the tour. She learned a lot and really enjoyed everything the tour guide said. She said "I feel like I'm at home". Great learning experience and I'm really glad I was able to get tickets so late. We could only get three tickets so Jean wasn't able to come with us. There are two tours a month. They are free but you need to get tickets and take your passport. Tickets can be ordered online on the Canadian High Commission website. Canada is the only Embassy in London that offers tours.
 |
| We were greeted by two pipers outside Canada House. |
 |
| William Lyon McKenzie King room - at the divide it's the Robert Borden room. Both Prime Ministers in WWII. |
 |
| British Columbia room. Complete with native art, wood tables and gorgeous artwork from other BC artists |
 |
| Every room has carpet that was first a painting, then sent to a rug manufacturer in Ontario who made rugs from the art! |
 |
| Our tour guide from Edmonton in the former office of Lester B Pearson who served as second in command in the High Commission from 1939-1942. There was a bombing in Trafalgar Square and the windows blew in and he was thrown to the floor. In 1957 for his role in resolving the Suez Canal crisis he won the Nobel Peace Prize and was elected Prime Minister in 1963 |
 |
| The Sir John A McDonald room features a chandelier from the 1820's. It was the dining room of the Union Club |
 |
| Emily Carr painting on loan from the Vancouver Art Gallery |
 |
| Sir Wilfred Laurier room. It's on the third floor and has a door to the outdoor balcony with the great view |
 |
| Statues of Montcalm and Wolfe |
 |
| Balcony on the third floor |
 |
| View from the balcony |
 |
| Lexi signing the guest book, I signed it after her. She signed it "Lexi was here" Vancouver, BC! |
