For immediate release
GATINEAU, Quebec, May 7, 2010 – The Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister for Status of Women, and the Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of Natural Resources, today announced major contracts for the construction of two new office towers in Gatineau, Quebec. These projects will stimulate the economy and create 1,000 new jobs in the construction sector.
“Creating and protecting jobs and stimulating the Canadian economy is the top priority of this government,” said Minister Ambrose. The construction of these buildings will create numerous employment and economic benefits for local workers, suppliers and services; as well as provide long-term stimulus to the economy.”
“This is tremendous news for the region,” said the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Foreign Affairs. “Through our government’s investment, we are creating approximately 1,000 construction-related jobs, while growing and strengthening our local economy. This government is delivering on our commitment to the people of the Outaouais region.”
“This investment is supporting our economic recovery, by creating new jobs in Quebec,” said Minister Paradis. “Jobs and growth remain our government’s top priority.”
Canada’s Economic Action Plan continues to be timely and effective. The construction of public infrastructure creates jobs and helps our businesses prosper now and into the future. As the Government of Canada rapidly implemented the Economic Action Plan, the Canadian job market improved. This is the result of the Action Plan protecting Canadian jobs and incomes by delivering a $62 billion shot in the arm to the economy. Taxes have been reduced, EI benefits have been extended for the unemployed, thousands of infrastructure projects are underway across the country, significant support has been provided for science and technology, industries and communities and extraordinary actions have been taken to improve access to financing. Canada’s Economic Acton Plan is an investment in jobs and in our future prosperity.
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For further information please contact:
Chris Hilton
Office of Minister Ambrose
819-997-5421
Media Relations
Public Works and Government Services Canada
819-956-2315
Electronic files for the building renderings are available at: http://www.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca/medias-media/gp-pg/2010-05-07-00-eng.html.
PWGSC news releases are also available on our Internet site at: http://www.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca/medias-media/index-eng.html.
Ensuring a fair, open and transparent procurement process
The contracts announced today are the direct result of competitive processes initiated through Requests for Information (RFI) posted on the government’s electronic tendering system (Merx™) in February 2009. One RFI was for a build-to-lease office building in Gatineau’s central business district, the other was for a build-to-lease office building on Crown-owned land at 455 boulevard de la Carrière. The purpose of the RFIs was to confirm that there were a sufficient number of developers interested in the projects to ensure competitive tender processes. Three developers responded to the first RFI, and four to the second.
As a result of this positive response, two Requests for Qualification (RFQ) were posted on Merx™ in July 2009. PWGSC evaluated the submissions it received in response to the RFQs and invited the qualified proponents to submit an Irrevocable Offer to Lease. Two offers were received for each project and the government has signed contracts with the two proponents who submitted the lowest-price, compliant proposals.
PWGSC engaged fairness monitors to ensure the public tender processes would be undertaken in a fair, open and transparent manner. The fairness monitors confirmed that this has been the case.
Next steps
The developers with whom PWGSC has signed lease contracts are expected to begin construction this spring. PWGSC aims to have all federal employees moved into 455 boulevard de la Carrière by October 1, 2012, and into the tower being constructed in the central business district by April 1, 2013.
PWGSC will lease the buildings for 25 years. The department will have the option to purchase the central business district property (building and land) for one dollar at the end of the lease. At 455 boulevard de la Carrière, ownership of the land will automatically revert back to the Crown at the end of the lease (at no additional cost to the Crown), along with the building to be constructed on it.
Information on the build-to-lease projects
22 Eddy Street
Approximate size*: 41,872 rentable square metres; 15 floors
Approximate number of federal employees: 2,200
Name(s) of federal tenant(s): to be determined
Name of developer: 6979611 Canada Inc. (Parent company – Broccolini Construction)
Annual lease rate: $11,700,000
455 Boulevard de la Carrière
Approximate size*: 36,694 rentable square metres; 12 floors
Approximate number of federal employees: 1,900
Name(s) of federal tenant(s): to be determined
Name of developer: 6979637 Canada Inc. (Parent company – Broccolini Construction)
Annual lease rate: $8,530,000
* The figures provided here are approximate and will be confirmed upon building completion through final measurements.
Public Works and Government Services Canada is committed to excellence in the design and development of its sites, buildings and leased accommodation. The Department will ensure these buildings are designed and constructed in an environmentally responsible manner that includes meeting Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold standards.
