For immediate release
REGINA, Saskatchewan, June 28, 2007 – The Honourable Carol Skelton, Minister of National Revenue, on behalf of the Honourable Michael M Fortier, Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada, officially opened and named a newly renovated green Government of Canada Building today. The new energy-efficient, environmentally friendly building will be named after Alvin Hamilton, one of Saskatchewan’s and Canada’s most dedicated politicians. The rejuvenated city landmark, home to six federal departments, will provide government services within the downtown district for many years to come.
"In honour of his service to Canada, I am very proud to officially name this building the Alvin Hamilton Building,” said Minister Skelton. “Alvin Hamilton supported a vision for Northern development, implemented the construction of the South Saskatchewan River dam and recognized the contributions of Saskatchewan’s ethnic and religious minorities. As an advocate for energy conservation and reducing pollution, Alvin Hamilton would be very proud of this Government of Canada Building”.
Alvin Hamilton was Canada’s Minister of Northern Affairs and Natural Resources (1957-1960) and Minister of Agriculture (1960-1963), in the government of John Diefenbaker. Among his many accomplishments was the negotiation of the first wheat deal between Canada and mainland China.
The Alvin Hamilton Building is a high-performance building that targets significant environmental goals through its recent retrofit. It is the first major renovation project in Saskatchewan to seek Leadership In Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) certification from the Canada Green Building Council. The Alvin Hamilton Building is aiming for a silver rating.
The new Government of Canada Building was designed to conserve water and energy. Water usage is minimized in the building through the use of water efficient fixtures such as dual-flush toilets, waterless urinals and low-flow faucets and showers. To use less energy, the renovations made use of completely new energy-efficient mechanical and electrical systems. These innovative technologies were combined with a major retrofit of exterior walls and windows to achieve an estimated 44% reduction in energy use. In addition, the project has committed to purchasing 50% of the building’s power requirements from renewable sources, through a SaskPower Green Purchase Agreement.
Canada’s New Government is committed to the greening of government operations through initiatives such as sustainable construction and green procurement.
The environmentally friendly renovation of the Alvin Hamilton Building falls in line with the objectives set forth in the recently introduced Clean Air Act, which sets in motion Canada’s first comprehensive and integrated approach to tackling air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
The main floor of the new building is occupied by the Regina Service Canada Centre, which offers the residents of Regina easy access to a wide range of federal government services and benefits. The Centre provides an open, engaging environment where people are greeted and guided to the services they require in a way that is seamless, simple and convenient.
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For further information, please contact:
Danielle Maier
Communications Advisor
Office of Minister Skelton
306-780-8236
Anne Pratt
Manager, Corporate Communications
Public Works and Government Services Canada
780-497-3619
Media Relations Unit
Public Works and Government Services Canada
819-956-2315
BACKGROUNDER
The Government of Canada Building in Regina – Some Facts
This 10-storey, 21,000 square meters Government of Canada Building (GOCB) is a multi-tenant facility and the focal point for delivery of services to Canadians in Regina. The project provides a new, larger GOCB within the downtown business district of Regina and is able to provide citizen-centered service delivery for key high contact federal departments.
Originally built in 1968, the building has been through many changes. Formerly a retail space, the new Government of Canada Building was revitalized to become the federal flagship presence in Saskatchewan’s capital city.
This GOCB, purchased in March 2002, is the first major renovation project to seek LEED certification from the Canada Green Building Council in Saskatchewan.
Public Works and Government Services Canada is pursuing LEED certification at the Silver level for the building.
The GOCB boasts completely new energy efficient mechanical and electrical systems as well as additional elevators and an innovative, energy efficient, building envelope upgrade. The exterior of the building has been transformed into a modern office building and a suitable image for the Government of Canada.
The interior was inspired by the diverse Saskatchewan landscape. The vision of the final design is reflective of the patchwork of prairie farms and the fields of grain as well as the northern lakes, forests, and Canadian Shield. A water feature that was inspired by the Saskatchewan North accentuates the stairs and elevator leading to the atrium. The design process has resulted in a rejuvenated landmark for the City of Regina and the Province of Saskatchewan.
The new GOCB in Regina houses approximately 600 public service employees from the following departments and agencies:
Canada Firearms Centre
Canada Revenue Agency
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
Service Canada
Statistics Canada
Veterans Affairs Canada
Biography of Francis Alvin George Hamilton
The Honourable Francis Alvin George Hamilton (1912-2004) was born and raised in Kenora, Ontario. He graduated from the University of Saskatchewan in 1937.
Hamilton led the Progressive Conservative Party of Saskatchewan from 1949 until he was elected to the Canadian House of Commons in the 1957 general election. This election brought the federal Progressive Conservative Party of Canada to power under John George Diefenbaker.
Hamilton served as Minister of Northern Affairs and National Resources in the Diefenbaker cabinet from 1957 to 1960, supporting a new vision of Northern development. From 1960 to the 1963 election, when the Diefenbaker government was defeated, Hamilton served as Minister of Agriculture, pioneering wheat sales to China.
Hamilton remained a Member of Parliament for a further 20 years until his retirement in 1988. In 1992, he was bestowed the title "The Right Honourable" by Queen Elizabeth II in honour of his service to Canada. This is a rare honour for someone who did not serve as Prime Minister of Canada, Chief Justice of Canada or Governor General of Canada.
After retirement, he lived in the National Capital town of Manotick until his death in 2004.
