In Ottawa, there is a grand if a little decrepit old building which could be mistaken for a Freemason's Lodge or a well-appointed hotel by a casual observer, or dismissed entirely by most others. Only those with a keen eye would notice that the pollution-stained coat of arms above the tall oaken doors, is entirely missing the Canadian maple leaves. For the little building, some distance away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre, is the last redoubt of the half-forgotten United Kingdom of Great Britain.
Even upon entering the building, without knowing what it is, one could be forgiven for believing that it is a hotel, albeit one curiously populated largely by elderly men. The large restaurant serves traditional British fare that would be familiar to any visitors from the former United Kingdom, though the decorations of their surrounds would no doubt set any such visitor somewhat ill at ease. For drinks, a visitor must confine themselves to the standard that can be expected of any Canadian restaurant, including the usual range of beers and wines from the varied Dominions of the Empire. A tap for a dark stout called Guinness is the one beverage that leaps out as unusual and must be tried by those who only want a light lunch.
It is possible to obtain a guided tour of the building, for a modest sum and it is then that the visitor will realise the true nature of the building into which they have entered. The windows do not belong to bedrooms but offices, many of which are still used by the few MPs who maintain correspondence with their 'constituencies', the small numbers of the descendants of the British emigres who grimly hold on to some link with the pre-revolutionary homeland. Many of the offices are however unoccupied, and have been made up to be preservations of the office of one notable dignitary or Prime Minister or other.
From there, one continues to the home of the Parliament itself. The emigre Parliament is small, only designed to accommodate around 100 individuals, and is used on alternating days for the House of Lords and the House of Commons, which these days tend to have a rather similar composition of individuals. They tend only to meet for a couple of hours to discuss issues raised by the aforementioned constituents and debate current events in the Empire and usually specifically Canada. In many respects it is more like a social club than a forum for crafting legislation.
The walls of the building are decorated with paintings that were retrieved when His Majesty's Government fled the British Isles in 1922. These are joined by more contemporary works, tending to depict notable figures who rose from amongst the ranks of the emigres. Some may be familiar to the visitor, many will be total mysteries unless you ask the tour guide, who are without fail tremendously helpful and accommodating, well aware that their workplace is a total enigma to the vast majority of outsiders.
All in all, the Exile Parliament is a delightful visit and rather inexpensive considering the well maintained decorations and the high quality of refreshments in the restaurant. The MPs and Peers are patient with civilian interlopers and usually keep well out of the way of visitors, and if you do speak to one of them they are without fail polite and welcoming. After all, the Parliament is a somewhat aging and public institution and it does not do it any good for them not to treat potential constituents with a degree of respect.