For immediate release
Ottawa - May 30, 2006 - The construction work to preserve and enhance the Library of Parliament building is now complete. A ceremony was held today with the Honourable Noël A. Kinsella, Speaker of the Senate, the Honourable Peter Milliken, Speaker of the House of Commons and the Honourable Michael M Fortier, Minister of Public Works and Government Services, to mark the end of the rehabilitation work of this large-scale project.
The construction work on the Library of Parliament building began in March 2002 to conserve, rehabilitate and upgrade this important heritage structure and favourite visitor destination. Every aspect of the building was rehabilitated from the weathervane atop the roof to the cramped and crowded basements below ground.
"We have taken a building that was deteriorating and preserved it as a legacy for future generations. Canadians can be proud of the work done to preserve the Library of Parliament building," says Minister Fortier. "Today, I am pleased to transfer the building to Parliament to allow the Library of Parliament to move in and resume providing services from this location."
"The Library of Parliament is unique, grand and elegant as a building. It is more than a repository of wisdom, intellect and history," said the Honourable Noël A. Kinsella, Speaker of the Senate. "It plays an active role in informing, interpreting, guiding and educating Canadians about their Parliament, incorporating modern techniques and tools while providing a true sense of our heritage and traditions."
"Although the staff of the Library of Parliament continued ably to serve parliamentarians from other buildings during the construction work", says the Honourable Peter Milliken, Speaker of the House of Commons, "I know that all Members of the House of Commons are delighted to once again enjoy the architectural beauty of the Library, and to share it with their fellow Canadians as well as visitors from around the world."
The work, which was done in an environmentally responsible manner, included repairs to the masonry, windows and ironwork. The building structure was stabilized and seismically upgraded, and the three roofs were replaced. Three new basements were created: two for the collections and support areas, and one for new mechanical systems that provide superior control of air quality, humidity and other indoor environmental elements. The electrical, communications, security, and life-safety systems have been upgraded to meet current health and safety standards and the Library's future needs.
Starting in June, the Library of Parliament will resume its services from the newly rehabilitated building and visitors to the Centre Block will once again be able to visit the magnificent interior.
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For more information, media may contact:
Jean-Luc Benoît
Director of Communications
Office of Minister Fortier
(819) 997-5421
Media Relations
Public Works and Government Services Canada
(819) 956-2315
Ce texte est également disponible en français.
Background information is available on the Parliament Hill: A Treasure to Explore Web site: www.parliamenthill.gc.ca
PWGSC news releases are also available on our Internet site at: www.pwgsc.gc.ca/text/generic/media-e.html
