National Assembly doors open wide for public summer activities

Danielle Burns

danielle@qctonline.com 

Isabelle Giguère, general manager of information and visitations at the National Assembly, spoke to reporters June 12 to announce a multitude of free activities from June to September. The theme this summer is “an open parliament” and according to Giguère, the National Assembly is “one of the most open parliaments in the world,” welcoming over 100,000 visitors each year.

Free events on offer this summer will include the much appreciated Saturday outdoor yoga sessions on the grounds, a book club, musical performances and celebrations for the Fête Nationale (June 24 from 11 a.m.  to 5 p.m.), two Flip Fabrique shows on June 30, line dancing July 20, a historical lecture about 18th-century dance for the Fêtes de la Nouvelle-France on Aug. 2, Urbainculteurs urban farming workshops, a drawing lesson on Aug. 24 and four high tea services throughout July and August.

Flip Fabrique entertained attendees with a joyful Cyr wheel act by Amélie Bolduc and a giant juggling cube act from Jasmin Blouin that had staffers glancing worriedly at the recently installed chandeliers. Blouin, who had done a trial run, manipulated the massive spinning circus prop with confidence. 

Le Parlementaire executive chef Sébastien Laframboise served tantalizing appetizers from his new summer menu paying homage to the St. Lawrence River and its shores, featuring strawberries from Île d’Orléans, Nordic shrimp, salt cod, or bluefin tuna tataki as well as seasonal herbs and vegetable dishes often sourced from the garden in front of the National Assembly building. “If there’s no leaves in the garden, there’s no green salad on the table. I’m not going to buy some lettuce,” he said. 

The chef told the QCT, “I’m big on desserts; I was a pastry chef for three or four years, so I think I’m a little bit harder on the pastry team than I am on the kitchen [team] … There’s a real thought process that goes into making the desserts, using the best ingredients. I always want chocolate. I always want something fruity.” The top chef (who has participated in the TV show with the same name) explained that there was a big scone competition going on between his British sous-chef Fred, pastry chef Caroline and himself. After a tight bake-off with their individual recipes, Laframboise acknowledged, “Obviously, the Brit [Fred’s grandmother’s recipe] won! It’s a round scone. We’re covering it with melilot (sweet clover) extract – a wild flower that tastes like honey and vanilla; it’s our vanilla from Quebec.” The scones, served with fresh fruit and a buttermilk whipped cream, will be served in the elegant dining room of Le Parlementaire on July 11 and 16 and Aug, 8 and 13 from 2:30 – 4 p.m. 

Democratizing the National Assembly and getting residents and tourists to come experience the restaurant is Laframboise’s biggest challenge. “This is your place and open to everyone. You’re more than welcome to come in. We’re one of the only ones in the world that’s like this so you should enjoy it! We have a lot of tourists who come in and they’re really happy to see what’s inside because they can’t even see it in their own country or region. I grew up just across the river from Ottawa (Gatineau); I’ve never been inside Parliament; You can’t go in there unless you’re invited!” 

To sign up for the free British high tea or any of the other activities, go to assnat.qc.ca/en/visiteurs to reserve a spot. Bring a valid photo ID to go through the airport-type security checkpoint at the entrance.