Perched on a bluff that rises above the Ottawa River on Parliament Hill (formerly Barrack Hill), the Centre Block is the exquisite Gothic Revival-style home of Canada's Senate, House of Commons and Library of Parliament.

Raised out of the ashes of destruction, this architectural masterpiece was designed and decorated to pay homage to its country's people, history and freedoms. Rebuilt between 1916 and 1927 in the lingering shadow of the First World War, its treasures within and without are feeling the weight of time.

Planning for the major rehabilitation of Centre Block is currently underway. The work is scheduled to begin in 2018. The building will have to be emptied prior to initiating the rehabilitation. Until the major rehabilitation begins, ongoing maintenance and repair work is being carried out. As this will cause a multi-year disruption, plans are in place to enclose the courtyards of the East and West Blocks for use as temporary legislative chambers while the Centre Block is out of commission.

The clock in the Peace Tower, presented to Canada by the government of the United Kingdom to mark the 60th anniversary of Confederation, has been ticking in the heart of our capital since 1927. The original timekeeping mechanism built by British clockmakers no longer works and has since been replaced. The original mechanism is now exhibited inside a glass case in the observation area of the Peace Tower, visible to the public as they emerge from the elevator.

The Peace Tower flag is changed every day, Monday to Friday, except on statutory holidays and days when it is flown at half-mast. For safety reasons, during poor weather conditions such as a snowstorm or high winds, the flag is not changed.

Any Canadian citizen can add their name to the list to get a flag that has flown on Parliament Hill. http://www.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca/collineduparlement-parliamenthill/batir-building/centre/tour-tower/drp-flg-eng.html The current wait is 42 years.