The Fire of 1916

Temporary legislature

The newly completed Victoria Memorial Museum was chosen as the temporary parliament building. The National Gallery and National Museum, who had barely moved in, were told to pack up again. The House of Commons met in the museum auditorium and one of the exhibition halls was prepared for the Senate. This was to be their home until 1920.

Sir Wilfrid Laurier died before the new building was ready and he lay in state at the museum.