Province House (Nova Scotia)
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- This article is about the legislative building for Nova Scotia. See the Province House disambiguation page for other uses of the name.
Province House is where the Nova Scotia Legislature, known officially as the Nova Scotia House of Assembly, has met every year since 1819. The building is Canada's oldest seat of government.
Standing three storeys tall, the structure is considered one of the finest examples of Palladian architecture in North America. It opened for the first time on February 11, 1819.
In 1848, Province House was the site for the first form of responsible government in the British Empire outside the United Kingdom. The building is located in downtown Halifax on a block bordered by Hollis, Granville, George and Prince streets.
One of the smallest functioning legislatures in North America, Province House originally held the executive, legislative and judicial functions of the colony, all in one building. The Red Room was formerly the meeting place of the Legislative Council, an Executive body appointed by the Governor and reformed in favor a Cabinet style council in 1848. The Legislative Council was replaced by the modern Executive Council in 1928. The Green Room is the home of the House of Assembly, the legislative house of the Province. The Legislative Library, located on the second floor between the Red and Green chambers, was originally the home of the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia, until the court out grew the space. A ceremonial Premier's office is maintained in the building, as well as the office of the Speaker of the House.
[edit] External links
- Province House (Nova Scotia) is at coordinates Coordinates:
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