Progress to date: Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs—February 27, 2020

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Key messages

• Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) has planned and delivered a complex sequence of interdependent projects and moves throughout the precinct. This process was necessary in order to develop swing-space needed to vacate the Centre Block, and commence the largest heritage building rehabilitation project in Canadian history, all without interrupting parliamentary operations
• Since 2006, PSPC has completed 24 key projects on time, on scope, and on budget, including
  • Library of Parliament (2006)
  • Sir John A. Macdonald Building (2015)
  • Wellington Building (2016)
  • Visitor Centre Phase 1 (2018)
  • Senate of Canada Building (2018)
  • West Block (2018)
• Completed projects include 6 of the 11 classified federal heritage properties in the precinct

Long Term and Vision Plan financials overview

Key messages

• [Redacted]
• Each program of work comprises a multitude of projects, including large scale heritage restorations, new construction projects, smaller fit-up work, and planning initiatives
• The overall approach for the LTVP sets long-term direction of the program while establishing clear priorities in short-term increments, and offers flexibility to respond to emerging priorities and changing conditions
• Since 2001, $4.5B in funding has been approved for the LTVP of which $3.5B has been spent to date
• The complex scope of work within the precinct is delivered in a coordinated and integrated way, while ensuring that buildings in need of rehabilitation remain safe and functional. Most LTVP expenditures are related to major capital projects

Advancing government priorities

Sustainability

Key messages

• The Government of Canada has made significant commitments to reduce the impacts of climate change. The buildings from which we work must reflect the government’s commitments
• PSPC has committed to showcasing the precinct as a model of sustainability through the modernization of the precinct’s buildings and grounds
• Sustainability targets are built into every LTVP project and are often exceeded, as demonstrated by the achievement of numerous Green Globe Certifications awarded to completed projects in the precinct
• We have already put in place low-carbon technology, including water and energy-saving systems, green roofs, and solar hot water panels into recently restored spaces, including the Sir John A Macdonald and Wellington buildings
• The West Block and Senate of Canada Building have similar systems in place, as well as others, including automatic timers, and even a unique ventilation system that captures and reuses heat from the West Block roof to reduce heating requirements
• The department is on track for a greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction of 80% by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2050. By 2018 to 2019, PSPC achieved a 56% reduction in GHG emissions from a 2005 to 2006 levels.
• As of 2019, PSPC diverted over 90% of Parliamentary Precinct demolition materials from landfills and achieved other sustainability milestones. The final waste diversion rate for both the West Block and the Senate of Canada Building was 93%
• In addition to recycling over 90% of demolition materials from all major projects (exceeding the 80% target), other environmental sustainability measures include the implementation of water-saving plumbing systems, rain water harvesting, the installation of beehives on the east side of the Senate of Canada Building, and green walls within renovated buildings
• PSPC has also collaborated with Natural Resources Canada and the National Research Council to develop sustainable design principles for new construction projects in the Parliamentary Precinct

Background

In 2018 to 2019, PSPC launched an Environmental Sustainability Strategy and Action Plan for the Parliamentary Precinct, which is currently being implemented through 2022. This 3-year strategy is a planning tool that sets out sustainable development priorities, establishes goals and targets, and identifies actions to achieve them. The strategy aligns with the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (2019 to 2022) and responds to the unique characteristics of the precinct and its context within the National Capital Region, with particular focus on water conservation, waste, and energy.

The LTVP update will incorporate a comprehensive campus wide sustainability strategy with measurable and achievable targets in support of government programs and commitments. This will include: exploring opportunities to reduce parliament’s ecological footprint through the use of clean energy sources and by tapping into PSPC’s distinct heating and cooling facilities, implementing more efficient and sustainable water and waste management, reviewing space standards, and identifying transportation demand strategies.

Accessibility

Key messages

• In partnership with parliament, PSPC is restoring the Parliamentary Precinct for future generations of Canadians in a manner that creates an accessible parliament that meets the needs of all Canadians and visitors
• PSPC’s strategy addresses accessibility in a campus approach that not only meets but in some cases exceeds the current standards for accessibility. The achievements of completed projects have allowed the Parliamentary Precinct to become a model for accessibility by creating a campus that is accessible, family-friendly and open to the public
• With the support of an accessibility advisory panel composed of key stakeholders, including the parliamentary partners, the Treasury Board Secretariat, the National Capital Commission (NCC), the Department of Canadian Heritage, accessibility organizations and employees representing various communities, PSPC conducted an accessibility review to develop the strategy, criteria, tools, and plan for the Parliamentary Precinct to make the grounds and buildings universally accessible
• A sub-group of the panel composed of individuals who have accessibility challenges (mobility, sight and hearing) was asked to informally evaluate the newly completed West Block, Visitor Welcome Centre and Senate of Canada buildings to assess how accessible the new buildings were
• As PSPC advances the development of the integrated parliamentary campus, accessibility will continue to be a key component of the LTVP update

Background

The grounds and buildings throughout the Parliamentary Precinct were designed and built over 100 years ago, long before accessibility was considered. This reality poses unique challenges in balancing modern accessibility requirements with the preservation of heritage character. New and restored buildings throughout the precinct, including the West Block, Senate of Canada Building, and phase 1 of the Visitor Welcome Centre, have been designed and built to overcome these challenges and to meet and in, many cases, exceed building codes. For example, the West Block and Senate of Canada both presented significant accessibility challenges as classified heritage buildings. However, both buildings are now equipped with barrier-free access and improved accessibility features in the chambers, public galleries, offices, meeting places, washrooms and corridors. PSPC continues engagement with its partners to make accessibility adjustments post-occupancy, to ensure the facilities meet the needs of its users.

Other accessible features include

Broadcast capabilities:

Simultaneous translation for English, French and Indigenous languages.

Elevators:

At least one elevator is sized to accommodate a stretcher or a power-assisted wheelchair. Voice floor indicators in elevators.

Tactile signage:

Braille signage and stairs with contrasting edge strips.

Amenities:

Adult change table readiness, accessible changing stations, and drinking fountains.

Other features:

Family, spouse and meditation/prayer rooms, gender-neutral washrooms and accessible on-site transit.

In accordance with the Accessible Canada Act, PSPC is meeting accessibility standards throughout its rehabilitation of the Parliamentary Precinct. PSPC is becoming a leader and model in the development of accessible environments by making the precinct more family-friendly, inclusive, and open to the public. This commitment presents an opportunity in the development of the campus master plan, whereby the integrated campus approach will continue to enhance accessibility across the entire precinct.

In 2018 to 2019, PSPC conducted an accessibility review in order to develop an action plan underway to inform the LTVP update and provide a clear and defined strategy for accessibility. The purpose of this study was to develop the strategy, criteria, tools, and plan for the Parliamentary Precinct to make the grounds and buildings universally accessible.

An accessibility advisory panel was established to provide advice and direction to the development of the universal accessibility review and action plan (UARAP). This consultation is leveraged to identify best practices, develop a vision, determine the current state (accessibility review of buildings and grounds) and identify actions required to continue the precinct’s success as a model for accessibility.

Opportunities for Canadians, innovation and partnerships

Key messages

• The Long Term Vision and Plan is an engine for social inclusion, and is creating many opportunities for Canadians from across the country, including youth, women and Indigenous people
• Thousands of Canadians are working in good paying quality jobs in a broad spectrum of Canada’s economy from engineering and architecture to construction, trades and manufacturing
• The Long Term Vision and Plan has a national economic footprint with 90% of the value of major contracts flowing to small and medium enterprises from across the country
• PSPC is conducting innovative research on improving the thermal energy performance of heritage buildings in partnership with government, academic, and private-sector partners with extensive experience in Canada and abroad, to use the Parliamentary Precinct as a “living laboratory”
• Our partnerships with Canadian universities are providing youth with enduring skills development opportunities, and allowing us to leverage innovation and unique research experience to overcome challenges in our work
• PSPC is a founding member and co-chair of the International Network of Parliamentary Properties (INPP), a forum for the exchange of knowledge, lessons learned, and best practices with a global community of professionals from 15 member countries
• Our partnerships with Canadian universities are providing youth with enduring skills development opportunities, and allowing us to leverage innovation and unique research experience to overcome challenges in our work
• PSPC is continually looking to develop partnerships that help inform future rehabilitations, not only in the Parliamentary Precinct, but elsewhere in Canada and beyond where important heritage buildings are being rehabilitated

Background

The implementation of the LTVP is labour intensive. The implementation of these projects is creating and sustaining significant employment opportunities through contracts held with small, medium and large companies from across the country in a broad cross-section of the economy from manufacturing, architecture and engineering to construction and skilled trades. Current approved funding is expected to generate close to 55,000 person-years of employment. For instance, on a typical day in May 2018 in the Parliamentary Precinct, there was close to 1,700 workers from over 40 companies in various key sectors such as engineering, construction and skilled trades working on LTVP projects.

Partnerships for equity: Projects have been and will continue to create unique opportunities for Canada’s youth through student programming and apprenticeships to contribute to these historic projects and to build a solid knowledge base in Canada for heritage rehabilitation work and for trades such as stone masons, electricians, plumbers, carpenters and others. For example, the LTVP provided the opportunity to run a masonry apprenticeship program that had over 60 participants, 30% of which were women. This is the highest ever recorded total for a program of its nature in North America. PSPC has also partnered with Employment and Skills Development Canada and Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada to include provisions in LTVP contracts for a fair representation of the Canadian population in its work on the Hill (for example, youth, Indigenous, and women).

Partnerships with Canadians universities: Universities of Alberta, Calgary, Carleton, Manitoba and Montreal. These partnerships are enabling the department to leverage unique research capacity and expertise to strengthen the 19th-century heritage buildings to meet the needs of 21st century users and building codes (for example, seismic reinforcement). For example, the department is now using 3D imaging to improve the design, construction and operations of the Parliament buildings, and technology, such as 3D printing and robotic stone cutting, to restore them. These partnerships are providing multiple benefits for government, universities and students, and creating opportunities for hundreds of students to hone the skills and practical experience they need to succeed.

International partnerships: PSPC has built relationships with key organizations, both in Canada and abroad, to share best practices on the preservation and rehabilitation of heritage assets. Through these relationships, PSPC aims to promote innovation, encourage collaboration, knowledge sharing, and facilitate the adoption of lessons learned, while showcasing its world-class experience and accomplishments.

Indigenous procurement

Key messages

• In addition to the thousands of jobs the LTVP has generated to date through recently completed major projects, PSPC encourages its contractors to demonstrate a fair representation of the Canadian population, including Indigenous people
• PSPC continues to leverage the LTVP to increase the number of meaningful economic opportunities for Indigenous businesses, employment, and capacity building
• Substantial expenditures for major projects are tendered to Indigenous firms
• PSPC has awarded over $40 million in direct work for Indigenous firms since 2007 to 2008 on projects within the scope of the Parliamentary Precinct
• We are currently working with partners to develop a strategy for leveraging the significant investments being made in the precinct to create new and enduring economic opportunities for indigenous owned business and peoples. PSPC has also committed to include provisions in all of our major projects’ contracts that would contract at least 5% of work to Indigenous firms
• On its work in the precinct, PSPC will strive to exceed 5% of benefits from contracts flowing to Indigenous-owned businesses

Background

PSPC is committed to being recognized as a leader in ensuring Indigenous people play a key and ongoing role in developing and preserving Canada’s Parliamentary Precinct as a place of shared national heritage and reconciliation, honouring and reflecting Canada’s unique and special relationship with Indigenous peoples.

Indigenous provisions are implemented in the procurement of major projects and work within the Parliamentary Precinct. For example, the new Cabinet table in the West Block was built by a local Indigenous-owned company, Totem Offisource, located in Quebec and is constructed from locally sourced, sustainably harvested black walnut. During the rehabilitation of the Wellington Building, provisions were included for the contracting of environmental consulting services and artisanal millwork and furniture. Indigenous set-aside criteria have also been applied for the provision of project management support services.

PSPC is committed to working with our federal and Indigenous partners to develop Indigenous participation strategies to further engage, promote, and increase economic opportunities for Indigenous business wherever applicable in the scope of the LTVP and precinct.

Key accomplishments and awards

Key messages

• Significant advancements have been made to the overall restoration and modernization of the Parliamentary Precinct since the approval of the revised LTVP in 2007
• Since the completion of the Library of Parliament in 2006, the department has delivered hundreds of projects, including the consecutive delivery of 24 key projects, on time and on budget
• Major completed projects include the Sir John A. Macdonald Building (2015), the Wellington Building (2016), the Senate of Canada Building in Ottawa’s former Union Station (2018), as well as the West Block and new Visitor Welcome Centre (phase 1) (2018)
• The completion of these projects enabled the historic transition of parliamentary operations from the Centre Block in 2018, so that work could begin on its historic restoration
• To date, the restored and modernized buildings in the Parliamentary Precinct have received over 50 awards (not including the honorable mentions) in the areas of architectural excellence, sustainability and heritage conservation

Key examples of awards received for LTVP projects include:

• Senate of Canada Building: the 2020 Civic Trust awards, for the excellence of its architecture, sustainability and accessibility features
• West Block: Engineering News-Record 2019 Global Best Projects awards—Renovation Restoration category, notably for its construction and design excellence
• Sir John A. Macdonald Building: Green Globe Award (5 out of 5 Green Globes) Designation for sustainability
• West Block: 2019 Awards of Excellence, Innovation in Architecture: Certificate of Merit, provided by the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada
• 180 Wellington: 2017 Award of Excellence for Large Scale Restoration, awarded by the Ottawa Architectural Conservation Awards

Document navigation for "Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs: February 27, 2020"

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