The Provincial Government today announced that the name of the Colonial Building Provincial Historic Site in St. John’s will remain unchanged.
A review is being conducted to ensure public monuments and observances respectfully recognize and commemorate the province’s history. As part of this review, the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation sought public input on the name of the Colonial Building to help determine whether to change the name, and what the new name should be, if changed.
The department sought public input on the name through a questionnaire offered on engageNL. Participants were provided information on the history of the Colonial Building and asked a short series of questions related to the potential renaming. They could select a preferred name from the two suggested options – Parliament House and House of Parliament – or provide a third option for consideration.
The majority of respondents at 69 per cent preferred that the Colonial Building retain its current name. The remaining respondents at 26 per cent preferred that the Colonial Building change its current name, with a preference of 40 per cent for Parliament House.
In reviewing the data, the department gave consideration to all of the comments received. A copy of the What We Heard report can be found on the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation’s website here.
The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation plans to have the story of Indigenous governance in this province told accurately and represented at the site, and it will conduct Indigenous consultations to achieve that objective.
The Colonial Building was the permanent seat of the provincial legislature from 1850 to 1959. It was designated a Provincial Historic Site in 1974. A comprehensive restoration of the building is nearing completion and the plan is to open to the public in September as a Provincial Historic Site visitor attraction. The re-opened Colonial Building will be an immersive and interactive visitor experience that will include guided tours and exhibits.
Quotes
“Thank you to all of those who participated in the consultation process on the Colonial Building Provincial Historic Site. This site represents a significant piece of Newfoundland and Labrador’s political history. We look forward to welcoming residents and visitors to this beautiful historic building.”
Honourable Steve Crocker
Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation
“While recalling the establishment of Responsible Government in this province, we must remember before that, there were Indigenous Peoples who lived here under their own forms of government. Therefore, we need to intend to tell those stories and learn from them, in this newly-renovated building, to reinvigorate our democratic institutions.”
Honourable Lisa Dempster
Minister Responsible for Labrador Affairs and Minister Responsible for Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation
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Learn more
What We Heard
News Release: Public Invited to Participate in Consultations on Colonial Building Name
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Media contacts
Tina Newhook
Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation
709-729-4570, 728-2837
tinanewhook@gov.nl.ca
Allan Bock
Labrador Affairs Secretariat and Office of Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation
709-896-7935, 899-6446
allanbock@gov.nl.ca