Status of the Long Term Vision and Plan for the Parliamentary Precinct: Committee of the Whole—July 8, 2020
Document navigation for "Committee of the Whole: July 8, 2020"
On this page
Context
Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) is implementing the Long Term Vision and Plan (LTVP)—a multi-decade strategy to restore and modernize the Parliamentary Precinct.
Suggested response
- In partnership with Parliament, we are restoring the Parliamentary Precinct for future generations of Canadians, and making it modern, safer, greener and more accessible
- Our focus is on restoring the Centre Block and transforming the precinct into an integrated parliamentary campus
- The Centre Block is the most iconic heritage building in Canada—we are committed to preserving it for Canadians and modernizing it to support 21st century parliamentary requirements
- Throughout the COVID-19 crisis construction activities have continued on the Centre Block and East Blocks in alignment with the Government of Ontario’s direction, with industry-leading health and safety protocols in place to ensure appropriate social distancing and compartmentalization of the construction site
- As the province has now opened its construction industry, PSPC continues to assess the re-opening of construction projects in close collaboration with Parliament
If pressed on governance and costs for the Centre Block:
- PSPC is committed to working in partnership with Parliament throughout this process
- there are a number of important decisions that need to be made before we can determine a baseline scope, cost and schedule
If pressed on redevelopment of Block 2:
- a design competition is being used to transform aging and underutilized Crown-buildings into a sustainable and integrated campus that supports a 21st century Parliament, while building a respectful complement to Canada’s capital
- a design competition will bolster innovative ideas and promote design excellence, all of which reflect the significance of the site. In fact, the original Parliament buildings were the result of a design competition held in 1859
Background
The LTVP was first approved in 2001 for the restoration and modernization of Canada’s Parliamentary Precinct. All major projects continue to track on time and budget.
PSPC has invested approximately $3.5 billion in the Parliamentary Precinct to-date, which has created over 25,000 jobs in local and national economies in, for example, engineering, architecture, construction, manufacturing and skilled trades sectors.
The restored West Block and Senate of Canada Building and the new Visitor Welcome Centre (phase 1), were transferred to Parliament in fall 2018. These projects followed the completion of the 21 key projects since the Library of Parliament in 2006, including the 180 Wellington Building (2016) and the Sir John A Macdonald Building (2015).
Efforts are now focused on restoring and modernizing the Centre Block and leveraging the remaining 23 assets in the precinct to create an integrated parliamentary campus that addresses Parliament’s long term requirements, including material handling, the movement of people and goods, accessibility, sustainability, and security.
Restoring the Centre Block is a core objective of the LTVP. It will be the largest project of its kind in Canadian history. The program is on track and several key milestones have been accomplished:
- a series of enabling projects ranging from the construction of a temporary loading dock to the re-location of the Books of Remembrance are now complete
- the most comprehensive assessment program undertaken in the precinct to date is now complete. It includes 100 field surveys, 900 openings, 2000 inspections, 10,000 tests and samples, and 20,000 heritage assets recorded
- demolition and abatement has begun on floors 4 to 6 of the Centre Block. In addition, excavation of underground infrastructure in the footprint of the phase 2 Visitor Welcome Centre is underway
PSPC is working with the parliamentary partners (Senate, House of Commons, the Library of Parliament, and the Office of the Prime Minister and Privy Council) to finalize their functional and design requirements (for example, number, size and types of functional spaces such as offices and committee rooms). The outcomes of these assessments and outreach will directly support the design efforts of the building rehabilitation. The completion of the schematic design is planned for spring 2020. This will inform the baseline scope, schedule and budget for the Centre Block rehabilitation.
Parliament Hill draws millions of visitors annually and is a key driver of tourism that contributes significantly to the Ottawa economy. PSPC is committed to ensuring that a positive visitor experience continues during the rehabilitation program.
PSPC has leveraged the LTVP to create opportunities for Canadians, including youth and Indigenous Peoples. We have committed to include provisions in all of our major projects’ contracts that would subcontract at least 5% of work to Indigenous firms.
The LTVP is reducing the government’s carbon footprint. PSPC has already reduced greenhouse gas levels in the precinct by 56% from 2005 levels and is on track to reach 80% by 2030 while also diverting more than 90% of demolition materials from landfills.
The precinct is a model for accessibility. It will achieve, and in some cases exceed, accessibility standards. The West Block and Senate of Canada Building include barrier-free access and improved accessibility features in the chambers, public galleries, offices, meeting places, washrooms and corridors.
Document navigation for "Committee of the Whole: July 8, 2020"
Page details
- Date modified: