I was super lucky to grow up in Canada's capital and go to school a couple blocks from Parliament because, let me tell you, sitting in on the House of Commons is absolutely worth it as hell. And you can just do it. My friend and I would simply skip class and go visit and other times we'd hang out in the gallery after class and listen in.
If you're looking for drama, question period is where you're going to find it because that's where the most contentious issues are brought to the government so that's when most members of the public show up.
But I highly recommend sitting in on random other bits. Some things you get to hear and see:
Petitions. Parliamentary petitions have to be brought in front of the House and then responded to in writing within 45 days. Most petitions do not lead to meaningful change so most people don't see what gets brought up let alone the knee-jerk reaction members have to it (as much as they try to hide it) and they get disheartened. Most petitions actually do get a reaction from members!
Debates over bills and motions that pass easily. It's so easy to read the news or watch question period and think that members are incredibly polarised and hate each other to bits but many things just make it right through with incredible politeness.
The most out of tune rendition of Happy Birthday I have ever heard in my life. Poor Geoff Regan (amazing Speaker) had Happy Birthday sung to him by the entire House. Yes, they put forward a motion and he upheld it. No, they cannot sing. No, I don't think they even all sang it in the same language. Yes, he looked distressed.
The bit after question period. This is really interesting. The last time I went happened to be during the NAFTA talks in Trump's first term when Chrystia Freeland was Minister of Foreign Affairs. There is a mass exodus of MPs after question period officially ends but I remember being especially impressed by the sudden civility and complexity once the crowds left. Suddenly, with Freeland sitting mostly on her own against a few passionate opposition members, it was a lot easier to focus on the questions being put and the answers. I learned a lot.
Your MP. I lived in Ottawa at the time so my MP was there pretty consistently (I am no longer her constituent but I still appreciate her immensely) so I got to see what role she played in the House. I got to see who she was sitting next to, what she too notes on, who she whispered to, etc. So much goes on behind the scenes and you can get glimpses just by sitting in. If you're outside Ottawa and want to see them in person, just ask them when they'll be physically in the House so you can plan your trip.
Talk of dolphins. Maybe. Okay but seriously, you get to see talk of bills that have like nothing to do with you but are super interesting. I got to hear discussion on the protection of dolphins! I know like nothing about dolphins but neither did these MPs! It is so nice to hear things that are extremely contentious but not directly attacking you. You get to realise that hey, these people don't actually hate every population they don't have a stake in.
Some notes on accessibility:
I actually haven't gone back to Parliament since I moved out west so I haven't actually been there since the renovations started and the HoC got moved to West Block
From my experience, you basically have to go through airport security to get in since the 2014 shooting and, after the recent incident, I expect it's even tighter so keep that in mind
If you need to see a certain member or side of the House, you will need to sit in the opposite gallery. It is really difficult to look down at the side you are sitting over.
I haven't been since I've used mobility aids that have required more space but my recollection is that the seating in the gallery was similar to a movie theatre (I can't remember if there was any specific accessible area)
For hearing, it was impossible to hear for even hearing people and they know this so they have devices connected to your seat like a bar of plastic similar to a bad rendition of a landline telephone earpiece (think large plastic bar with speaker). You can switch between direct feed, French, and English and possibly a few other modes that I can't recall though I don't think they were other languages. My Deaf friend with CIs and I (HoH, pre-HAs) struggled but got by. I don't know if they've improved this since they moved. I hope so.
Email your MP if you want to go. This is your right and this is their/their assistants' job. If you are unable to attend and they will not assist, that is a constitutional and probably procedural violation.
Also CPAC exists but, I'll be honest I haven't used it so I cannot comment on what that misses (I may look once the election happens and Parliament is back in session and update but no promises)
