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Group photo marking 150 years on the Hill yields some surprises

Parliamentarians on the front steps of Parliament Hill for a photo to mark the 150th anniversary of parliament Wednesday June 8, 2016 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Canada’s federal politicians of all stripes stood shoulder-to-shoulder Wednesday, to mark the 150th anniversary of the first meeting on Parliament Hill.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, front and centre, stood next to interim Conservative Leader Rona Ambrose, NDP Leader Tom Mulcair and Green Leader Elizabeth May.

READ MORE: Party leaders trade barbs, gags at Parliamentary Press Gallery dinner

WATCH: MPs honour 150th anniversary of the First Meeting on Parliament Hill

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MPs honour 150th anniversary of the First Meeting on Parliament Hill

Photographer Peter Bregg captured the moment with a high-resolution Nikon and 300 mm lens seated in a gigapan device, able to create a high megapixel-rate photo, allowing viewers to zoom in and see every single face.

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(Sadly, as of early Thursday morning, the original image appeared to be experiencing technical difficulties.)

While most MPs managed to hold still and smile, there were definitely some surprises hidden in the over 300 faces. Conservative MP Michelle Rempel took the opportunity to show off her best duck-face.

Group photo marking 150 years on the Hill yields some surprises - image

Was Liberal Jim Carr upset about something?

Group photo marking 150 years on the Hill yields some surprises - image

Many MPs fell victim to the closed eyes that plagued us all in our elementary school class photos.

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Group photo marking 150 years on the Hill yields some surprises - image

Recently vindicated Sen. Mike Duffy made an appearance, and was all smiles.

Group photo marking 150 years on the Hill yields some surprises - image

Sen. Pamela Wallin is also in the image. As of yet, however, no one has been able to locate former prime minister Stephen Harper among the sea of parliamentarians. Harper is reportedly preparing to leave politics sometime this summer, but for the moment remains a sitting MP.

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READ MORE: 100 years since Parliament burned

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The crowd gathered outside Centre Block to watch the photo being taken was also captured in the gigapan image, but they weren’t told to hold still. That yielded some interesting (and sometimes terrifying) results. The camera has trouble stitching the image together as people move, which means heads and legs go missing.

Group photo marking 150 years on the Hill yields some surprises - image
Group photo marking 150 years on the Hill yields some surprises - image

This cyclist had clearly had enough of the whole spectacle.

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Group photo marking 150 years on the Hill yields some surprises - image

When it was all over, Speaker Geoff Regan, standing to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s left, just couldn’t contain his excitement.

THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

 

It was on June 8, 1866, that the Legislature of the Province of Canada met for the first time in the original, not-yet-finished, Parliament building in Ottawa.

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At that time, the legislature had 84 members; half representing Canada East and the others Canada West. John A. MacDonald, George-Étienne Cartier and Alexander MacKenzie were among those in attendance.

It was the final session of the legislature before Confederation.

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