Today, the Honourable Élisabeth Brière, Minister of Veteran Affairs and Minister Responsible for the Canada Revenue Agency, and Member of Parliament for Sherbrooke, on behalf of the Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence, announced the launch of the design phase for the Sherbrooke Armouries recapitalization project, an important step toward preserving the city’s military heritage while providing modern facilities for our Reservists.

“Providing Sherbrooke’s reservists with modern, well-equipped infrastructure and facilities is essential to ensuring they can train and serve effectively l for the future of our Canadian Armed Forces. This project strengthens our commitment to the Reserve Force while honouring the rich history of the armouries that have long been part of the community.”

The Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence

“Today marks an important milestone in the preservation of our armouries in Sherbrooke. After four years of hard work alongside reservists, veterans, the city and the Sherbrooke community, I am very proud to have obtained the signature of phase 2 of the project, thus securing the completion of the work on the Belvédère Street and Williams Street Armouries. By providing our five reserve units with the facilities they need to continue their work, we recognize their contribution to defending our national security and sovereignty and ensuring the protection of the city’s built heritage.”

The Honourable Élisabeth Brière, Minister of Veteran Affairs and Minister responsible for the Canada Revenue Agency, Member of Parliament for Sherbrooke

“This project is about ensuring our Reservists have the modern facilities they need to train and serve while preserving an important part of Sherbrooke’s history. It’s also an investment in the local economy, supporting jobs and businesses throughout the construction process.”

The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Member of Parliament for Compton-Stanstead

• This is one of many infrastructure investments for the Reserve Forces previously identified in the Reserve infrastructure investment program. DND also recently announced the start of phase 2 for construction work on the Halifax Armouries in Nova Scotia, and opened a newly built armoury in Lévis, Quebec for the 58th Artillery Battery of 6th Field Artillery Regiment serving the 35 Canadian Brigade Group, an Army Reserve Formation of 2nd Canadian Division.

• As part of a change order to the modified design build contract already in place with Pomerleau Inc. of Quebec, this portion of the contract will finalize designs and begin early construction for the renovation of the Colonel-Gaëtan-Côté (Belvédère Street) and William Street Armouries. It will also include the design work for the third site once the land acquisition process is completed by DND.

• These activities will begin this spring and take approximately two years to complete. The subsequent construction of the armouries is slated to begin in 2027.

• The Belvédère Street and William Street Armouries have been closed since 2021 given the need for major repairs and restoration work on the buildings. The affected Reserve units will continue to work out of their leased facility on Woodward Street until these projects are completed. 

• The Belvédère Street Armoury was constructed in 1909 following plans prepared by Thomas Fuller, chief architect of the former Federal Department of Public Works. It was designated as a Recognized Federal Heritage Building in January 1991 and is the home of Les Fusiliers de Sherbrooke and the 35e Régiment des transmissions. It also typically accommodates the Fusiliers’ Regimental Museum, as well as local units of the Cadet program – one of the most important youth programs operated by the Government of Canada.

• Originally built as a courthouse in 1841 following plans prepared by William Footner, the William Street armoury was acquired by the Crown in 1912, which saw the construction of an addition at the time. It is the home of the Sherbrooke Hussars and the 52e Ambulance de campagne.

Laurent de Casanove
Press Secretary and Senior Communications Advisor
Office of the Minister of National Defence
Email: laurent.decasanove@forces.gc.ca

Media Relations
Department of National Defence
Phone: 613-904-3333
Email: mlo-blm@forces.gc.ca