For immediate release
CHARLOTTETOWN, Prince Edward Island, April 25, 2008 - The Honourable Peter Gordon MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, on behalf of the Honourable Michael M Fortier, Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada, today officially opened the Jean Canfield Government of Canada Building in Charlottetown, P.E.I. The $53.8 million dollar project is one of the most environmentally friendly buildings ever constructed by the Government of Canada, and is a showcase for many innovative environmental technologies.
"The Jean Canfield Government of Canada Building was designed as a multi-department, environmentally friendly building that will lead the way in the greening of government operations for many years to come," said Minister Fortier.
"As Cabinet Minister responsible for P.E.I., I am incredibly proud to see the efforts of Atlantic Canadians setting a new standard for excellence in the area of sustainable development," said Minister MacKay.
"I am impressed with the construction of this new facility. Estimates for energy use indicate this building will be approximately 60 percent more energy efficient than the average Canadian office building," Minister MacKay added. "The solar array alone is equivalent to removing 80 cars from the road per year."
"This new building supports our commitment to making sure the needs of our federal government employees in Charlottetown are well met," said the Honourable Greg Thompson, Minister of Veterans Affairs. "After all, what brings this building to life is the people who work here. They are the face of the Government of Canada, and they are making a great contribution to the economy and sense of community in the heart of Charlottetown."
Features of the new building include a reflective roof to reduce building heat absorption, an effective use of light and shade to moderate indoor temperatures, and the reuse of recycled rainwater to reduce water usage. Green power for the building is purchased from provincial wind turbines, which results in lower emissions and a smaller environmental footprint.
The four-story building has a gross floor area of 17,500 square meters and has a capacity for 500 employees. Tenants of the building include Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, Service Canada, Veterans Affairs Canada, as well as 11 other federal departments.
The new building is named after Ella Jean Canfield, the first female member of the Prince Edward Island Legislative Assembly and first woman to sit in the provincial cabinet. A plaque honouring Mrs. Canfield's legacy was unveiled during the opening ceremony.
The Jean Canfield building was designed by Bergmark Guimond Hammerlund Jones Architects in joint venture with HOK and construction was carried out by Hervé Pomerleau Inc. Design and site preparation was guided by the three Government of Canada initiatives of sustainable development, connectivity and supportive work environments.
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Ce texte est également disponible en français.
For further information, media may contact:
Jay Paxton
Press Secretary
Office of Minister MacKay
613-996-3100
Frédéric Baril
Press Secretary
Office of Minister Fortier
613-868-1128
Darcy Truen
Communications Advisor
Public Works and Government Services Canada
902-497-0307
PWGSC news releases are also available on our Internet site at: www.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca/medias-media/index-eng.html.
Jean Canfield Government of Canada Building
The Jean Canfield building is one of the most environmentally friendly buildings ever constructed by Public Works and Government Services Canada. To successfully integrate old and new, this four-story building will combine new environmental design features and technologies, but still reflect the character and historic architecture that is evident throughout downtown Charlottetown. The building is a showcase for environmental technologies and includes the use of natural light to moderate indoor temperatures, recycled rainwater to reduce water consumption and a reflective roof to reduce the amount of heat the building absorbs from the atmosphere.
Three Government of Canada initiatives guided the design and site preparation for the Jean Canfield building. They are: sustainable development, which minimizes the negative impact on the environment during the design, construction and operation and the maintenance of the building; connectivity, to increase government efficiency and make services to Canadians more accessible; and supportive work environments, to ensure employees have the space, tools and technology they need to be comfortable, effective and efficient.
Description:
- 4 Story Building, Site Area: 5002 m2, Gross Floor Area: 17,500 m2.
- Anticipated capacity: 500 employees.
- Tenants will include: Veterans Affairs Canada, Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency Business Service Center, Citizenship and Immigration, Service Canada, Environment Canada, International Trade Canada, Industry Canada, Public Works and Government Service Canada, Canadian Heritage, Health Canada, Public Health Agency of Canada, PEI Federal Council, Treasury Board Secretariat and Canadian School of Public Service.
- $53.8 million project.
Highlights:
- The building is registered with the Canadian Green Building Council with LEED® Gold as the target.
- Located on a "Brownfield Site" in downtown Charlottetown, the building's environmental 'footprint' is reduced.
- Local recycled and renewable material was used in the building's construction resulting in less construction and operating waste.
- Annual consumption of water is reduced through capture, storage and treatment of rainwater for building operations and water efficient fixtures.
- The building uses radiant chilled/heated slabs, rather than cooling or heating the ventilation air only.
- The building's design incorporates a raised access floor, providing for highly flexible and serviceable building services and eliminating the need for ventilation ductwork.
- The building's layout is flexible to accommodate future relocations without the need of costly mechanical renovations.
- Operable windows and the use of atrium exhaust allow the building to be naturally ventilated.
- Energy loss through exhausted air is recovered and reused to assist in cooling/heating new incoming air.
- The use of Charlottetown's District Heating System eliminates the need for fuel-fired boilers.
- Natural and reflective lighting levels, with individual user controls reduce energy consumption while providing a more productive work environment.
- Daylight harvesting allows for more use of natural light, and occupancy sensors activate lighting only when it is needed.
Jean Canfield Building's Photovoltaic Array
Jean Canfield
October 4, 1918 – December 31, 2000
A popular, active member of the Island community, Jean Canfield made political history on May 11, 1970 when she became the first woman elected to Prince Edward Island's Legislative Assembly. From October 10, 1972 to May 2, 1974, she also served as Minister without Portfolio and Minister Responsible for P.E.I. Housing Authority, becoming the first woman to sit in the Provincial Cabinet. Canfield represented the First Queen's riding for nine years.
Throughout her career, Canfield represented her constituents with a conviction that was without equal. In addition to her political career, she was an active supporter of women's issues. In 1972, she was invited to chair the Provincial Advisory Committee on the Status of Women in the Province of Prince Edward Island and was a long-time member of the international women's group, the Zonta Club.
Married to the late Parker Canfield, Canfield had one daughter, Dr. Joyce Canfield as well as two grandchildren, Lucho and Andina van Isschot. She died in Charlottetown at the age of 82.
Jean Canfield's avant garde approach to politics and public life blazed a trail for the women who would follow her, including friend Catherine Callbeck who would eventually become the first female Provincial Premier in Canada.
Her willingness to challenge tradition, to encourage innovation and to embrace new ideas finds many parallels in the building named in her honour. Like Canfield, this building represents the promise of tomorrow. A commitment to sustainable development and the integrated use of cutting edge technology puts this building at the forefront of modern design and construction. As the most environmentally friendly building ever constructed by the Government of Canada, its success will also serve as an example of sustainable development and innovative design to be emulated for years to come.
