Bob had always been curious about what went on behind the closed doors of Queen’s Park — and on this day, he finally got a peek behind the heavy wood and ornate ironwork. The Legislative Chamber, it turns out, is not just the place where laws are debated — it’s where tradition, architecture, and a whole lot of history come together in one beautifully carved room.
The visit started at the grand entrance to the chamber. Bob stood before the intricate wood-and-glass doors, impressed by how much craftsmanship had gone into something as simple as an entryway. You don’t get this kind of detail in a condo lobby, that’s for sure.
Once inside, Bob looked out over a sea of leather chairs and microphones — the seats of Ontario’s elected Members of Provincial Parliament. It reminded him a little of musical chairs, only with more arguing. The Speaker’s chair sat at the front like a throne, flanked by green-carpeted stairs and framed by carvings of lions, unicorns, and Ontario’s coat of arms. Bob wondered how many laws had been hammered out in this very spot — and how many politicians had secretly dozed off mid-debate.
He spotted Premier Doug Ford’s seat, empty of course, but no less symbolic. Bob thought about how decisions made here ripple out to all corners of the province, from Toronto’s crowded streetcars to the quiet laneways he loves to photograph.
Bob also noticed the press gallery and public viewing area up above — a reminder that, in theory at least, the people are always watching. He liked that. It gave the room a sense of accountability… or at least a bit of drama.
Before he left, Bob took one last glance at the Clerk’s desk, the ceremonial mace holder, and the lush green carpeting — all part of the choreography of parliamentary tradition. Then he stepped back through the same ornate door, feeling like he’d just walked through a time machine — one that’s still very much in use.
Back out in the hallway, Bob checked his camera and smiled. He didn’t make any laws today, but he captured a few moments of democracy in action. And for a street photographer with a curiosity for civic spaces, that felt just right.
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