The Senate of Canada is monitoring the evolving situation regarding COVID-19 and is adopting preventative measures in order to protect the health and safety of visitors, staff and parliamentarians while maintaining core parliamentary functions.

Amidst the growing uncertainty, the Senate recognizes this is a difficult situation which is having significant impacts on the daily lives of Canadians. The Senate believes it has a leadership role to play in limiting the spread of this virus.

The Speaker of the Senate and leaders from all recognized parties and parliamentary groups have agreed to implement proactive and precautionary actions consistent with medical information available at this time.

After consultation with public health authorities, the Senate is adopting temporary actions in all Senate buildings starting on Friday, March 13 until further notice. These measures include:  

• Limiting access to Senate buildings to parliamentary personnel including press gallery members
• Suspending guided tours of the Senate of Canada Building
• Suspending events with external guests in Senate buildings
• Cancelling Senate participation in interparliamentary meetings in line with the previous Joint Interparliamentary Council decision

The Senate’s priority remains the health and safety of all Canadians. It will continue to monitor and consider any new measures in response to the evolving situation.

For more information:
Victoria Deng
Press Secretary
Office of the Speaker of the Senate, Senate of Canada
613-995-2891
vicky.deng@sen.parl.gc.ca