Achi news desk-
Ottawa –
Even the essential business of Parliament was not enough to prevent MPs from slipping out to catch a glimpse of celestial history.
Dozens of elected officials, including conservative leader Pierre Poiliber, gathered on the hill to raise their necks to the sky.
As darkness fell, Puliver – behind a pair of standard eclipse glasses – described the moment as “surreal”.
“It really does feel like another world,” Poiliver said as the air cooled around him.
“I hope everyone enjoys it, that no one stares too long at the sun – because we want them to be able to read their briefing notes when they get home,” he added with a chuckle.
Justin Trudeau was seen unveiling the spectacle from the roof of the building where the prime minister’s office is located.
Standing on a small patch of grass, Liberal MP Jamie Batiste called it one of the big highlights of his time on the Hill.
“It humbles you a bit,” Batiste said, still wearing his eclipse glasses. “At this point, nobody cares what party you’re in – you’re just human beings getting a phenomenon.”
Parliamentary activities were briefly suspended to allow MPs and their staff to enjoy the partial eclipse, said Environment Minister Stephen Gilboa, who smiled as he saw the sight.
“Millions of people in this country are very excited,” Gilbo said, before immediately putting his glasses back on to take another look.
Liberal MP Marco Mendicino, eyes to the sky, said simply: “Cool.”
NDP MP Leah Azzan shared a laugh with MPs Laurie Idloot and Jenny Kwan as they watched the moon drift past the sun.
“It looks like maybe it should be more exciting than it appears,” Kwan said shortly after removing her glasses.
“But they say it won’t happen for another 300 years. I’m pretty sure I won’t be alive by then, so it’s now or never.”
Aydlot, meanwhile, had something beyond the sun and moon on her mind: “I’m really much more excited that today is the birthday of my colleague Leah Aza.”
Transport Minister Pablo Rodriguez said the sighting was a “big moment”. But when a large truck tried to pass where Rodriguez was planted on the road, he swerved out of the way in hopes of another vehicle.
“It’ll be bigger if it hits me,” he laughed.
Further down Wellington Street, the foreign intervention inquiry also paused briefly to allow lawyers, witnesses and journalists to watch the show.
They stood outside the library and archives building in downtown Ottawa as the sky darkened, some sharing their eclipse glasses.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published on April 8, 2024.
– with files by Anja Karadeglia
