High Commissioner Howard Drake, OBE Province Ontario | Phone +1 613-237-1530 | |
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Location Downtown Ottawa, Canada Website British High Commission, Ottawa Address 80 Elgin St, Ottawa, ON K1P 5K7, Canada Hours Open today · 8:30AM–5PMFriday8:30AM–5PMSaturdayClosedSundayClosedMonday8:30AM–5PMTuesday8:30AM–5PMWednesday8:30AM–5PMThursday8:30AM–5PM Similar Embassy of Ireland - Ottawa, Embassy of Croatia - Ottawa, Embassy of Greece - Ottawa, High Commission of Brunei, Earnscliffe Profiles | ||
The British High Commission in Ottawa is the main diplomatic mission of the United Kingdom in Canada. It is located at 80 Elgin Street in downtown Ottawa, across the street from the National Arts Centre and not far from Parliament Hill.
History
The current building was opened in 1964 and designed by Eric Bedford. Previously the site had been home to the Union Hotel, founded in the 1850s but demolished in 1962.
The High Commissioner's position was created in 1928 after the Balfour Declaration of 1926 and was the first such posting for Britain. The present High Commissioner is Howard Drake, appointed in June 2013.
The UK has Consulates-General in Toronto, Montreal, Calgary, and Vancouver. It has Honorary Consuls in St. John's, Halifax, Quebec City, and Winnipeg. The High Commission also represents the British Overseas Territories in Canada.
The High Commissioner resides at Earnscliffe, a manor on the Ottawa River.