Google Street View cameras arrived on Parliament Hill Tuesday to document the historic buildings for what will become a virtual tour for millions of people who will never get to walk its hallowed halls.
Google Canada said its cameras will spend a few days capturing everything from the House of Commons and the Senate Chamber to the Library of Parliament and even the Prime Minister鈥檚 Office, 鈥渕apping this iconic landmark of Canadian history and culture for all Canadians to enjoy and explore.鈥�
While spotting the Google Street View cars on local streets has become something of a sport in recent years, they won鈥檛 be seen driving down Centre Block鈥檚 Hall of Honour for this project. Google has adapted the Street View technology to fit a push-cart it calls Trolley, which has been used for similar projects at New York鈥檚 Metropolitan Museum of Art and the White House.
The Trolley has a panoramic camera to capture 360-degree views, motion sensors, a hard drive and an onboard computer.
鈥淧arliament stands at the heart of our democracy,鈥� Google Canada said on its official .
鈥淭hrough these images, people across the world will be able to see the places where our laws are debated and the chambers where Senators and Members come together to represent every Canadian. Users will have behind-the-scenes access to tour working offices and explore the iconic art, architecture and history of an institution that serves as the backdrop for Canadian politics.鈥�
Senate Speaker Noel A. Kinsella and House Speaker Andrew Scheer welcomed the Google team to Parliament Hill in a joint statement.
鈥淲e are delighted to let Canadians and people all over the world explore the art and architecture of the Senate of Canada through Google鈥檚 360-degree panoramic lens,鈥� Kinsella said. 鈥淭his amazing technology will give viewers the opportunity to visit working offices in the Senate.鈥�
Scheer said it is 鈥渆xciting to provide another way for Canadians to be able to view and experience their Parliament buildings. This is truly an opportunity for Canadians to bring the House of Commons into their homes.鈥�
Google Canada said it will launch the final product in Google Maps 鈥渋n the coming months.鈥� It also announced other landmarks that will be captured by the Trolley, including the Calgary Saddledome, BC Place, the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto and Quebec City鈥檚 battlements.
