Yes you are basically guaranteed to encounter some drug use if you go to the Market, but you can minimize that interaction and the market is still pretty nice to walk around.
I recommend trying Corazon de mais in the market main building for a lunch stop if you're over there.
The rabbit Hole on Sparks is also good.
The grounds are still a mess but touring inside the parliament is, IMO, a must.
You can still walk behind the building and the library wasn't covered in hoarding last time I was there. It is beautiful. The view of Gatineau, chaudiere, and the river from there is also really nice. There's also the park that is on the east side of where the canal enters the river, can't think of it's name right now, but it offers a really great view of the grounds and several other buildings. Major's Hill park. Also it connects to the national gallery which is worth a visit.
Where are you staying?
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