Visit

Where is the legislature?

The Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island meets in the Chamber of Province House at 165 Richmond Street, Charlottetown.

When does the legislature meet?

The public is welcome to attend a sitting of the legislature, which usually happens twice a year: February-April and November-December.

During a sitting the legislature meets to debate issues on the following days and times:

• Tuesdays: 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.
• Wednesdays: 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.
• Thursdays: 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.
• Fridays: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

The Parliamentary Calendar provides an outline of when the legislature meets every year, though the length of each sitting depends on how much business the government has to complete. The Parliamentary Calendar covers a whole year from January to December and is issued each year in the fall.

How do I watch the legislature in person?

On a first come first serve basis visitors may watch proceedings from the public gallery above the Chamber.

Check-in and security screening for the public gallery begins an hour before each sitting. Once through security, follow the signs for the public gallery. The entrance is located on the third floor and can be accessed by stairs or by elevator.

Visitors are permitted into the gallery once the Speaker calls for the doors to be opened. You can enter or leave via a designated entrance/exit point at any time during the proceedings.

What do I need to know about security screening?

All visitors are required to pass through security scanning upon arrival at the legislature.

Entering the main doors of Province House (on the south side of the building), security measures are on the right and include a walk-though metal detector and x-ray machine for your belongings. Alternate arrangements can be made for pregnant persons, as well as visitors with pacemakers and other medical needs

Some items are not permitted at Province House or its grounds. Before attending the sittings, please check the full list of prohibited items as you may be denied entry if carrying or using any of these items.

What rules do visitors in the public gallery have to follow?

Visitors to the public gallery are subject to the following rules:

• no bags, packages, backpacks, food or drink are allowed in the gallery;
• no hats, hoods or offensive clothing are to be worn;
• cellphones must be turned off and remain out of sight;
• no recordings or photographs are to be taken;
• no speaking, clapping or noise-making is permitted;
• gallery visitors must remain seated at all times unless entering or exiting.

When does Question Period happen?

Questions by Members, also known as Question Period, usually begins within 20 minutes of the start of the day's meeting, but this varies according to how much time is taken by the previous items of business.

Question Period lasts about 40 minutes and is a chance for private Members to ask questions of cabinet members about government policy, programs, and spending.

Do I have to go in person to watch the debates?

Debates are live-streamed here on our website through the "Watch Live" link, which appears as a yellow bar when the legislature or a standing committee are meeting and the live stream is active. The live stream is also available on our Facebook  page and YouTube channel.

If there is a past meeting of the legislature or a standing committee you'd like to watch, videos of live streams are archived on all three sites, and transcripts are available in searchable collections on the Legislative Assembly site: Hansard covers the debates, and Committee Documents covers standing committee meetings.

How can I find out more about the daily sitting?

Learn more about meetings of the legislature:

• Speaker's Procession
• Symbols
• Daily business agenda

Reach out to us with questions!

Can I visit the Chamber if the legislature isn't meeting?

Following the parliamentary calendar, the Chamber is available to visit outside of legislative planning weeks and sittings of the Legislative Assembly, with the exception of visitors in the public gallery to watch the debates on sitting days.

Outside of legislative planning weeks or sittings, the public is welcome to visit the Chamber during business hours, Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Legislative Assembly staff may be available to meet visitors at the Chamber and provide an overview of the history, function and role of the Assembly outside of sittings of the Assembly. The visit must be booked in advance through the Office of the Clerk and is subject to staff and Chamber availability.