Between 750 and 800 specially invited guests are expected to fill every available seat in the Parliament Buildings to hear Governor General?Sir Elliott Belgrave deliver the Throne Speech today at 4 p.m., ushering in the new 2013 to 2018 parliamentary term.
However, the ornate Senate Chamber only has seating for a maximum of 211 people who will include current and former Members of Parliament, senators and their spouses/guests, and those on the Precedence List, including judges, permanent secretaries and members of the Diplomatic Corps along with selected representatives of the 30 constituencies.
Other guests will be accommodated in the West?Wing, the Public Gallery of the House of Assembly and the Members’ Dining Room, where they can follow the proceedings, which will also be carried live on radio and television, via closed circuit television on the big screens.
Prior to the start of the formal proceedings, each chamber will meet at 3:30 p.m. to elect officers.
