of Parliament held in the new buildings in 1866. The buildings were generally well received by legislators.

Ottawa was recommended by Head as the capital due to palatability with both Upper and Lower Canada. Other considerations also favoured Ottawa. Ottawa's isolated location, surrounded by dense forest far from the Canada-US border and situated on a cliff face, would make it more defensible from attack. Despite the city's regional isolation, there was water transportation access from spring to fall, both to Montreal via the Ottawa