Modernization of Parliament (Parliamentary Precinct): Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates—November 24, 2022
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Parliamentary Precinct and 100 Wellington
Key messages
- We are restoring the Parliamentary Precinct for future generations of Canadians, and making it modern, safer, greener and more accessible
- In accordance with its mandate, Public Services and Procurement Canada works with each House of Parliament to ensure that their parliamentary requirements are being met in a manner that preserves our heritage and ensures value for money
- Work is progressing to restore and modernize the Centre Block, the largest and most complex heritage rehabilitation project in Canada’s history
- In addition, in partnership with Parliament, Public Services and Procurement Canada successfully completed an architectural design competition for the redevelopment of block 2, the urban block directly opposite the Centre Block
Key data points
- Approximately $4.2 billion has been invested into the Parliamentary Precinct to date through completed projects such as the rehabilitation of the Library of Parliament, West Block, Senate of Canada Building, Wellington building, Sir John A. Macdonald building and more
- These investments have created approximately 70,000 person-years in local and national economies in, for example, engineering, architecture, construction, manufacturing and skilled trades sectors
- The Centre Block rehabilitation is expected to create an additional 70,000 jobs throughout its lifespan in the engineering, construction, architecture and interior design, masonry, and restoration sectors, providing economic benefits for Canadians
- Currently, for the Centre Block rehabilitation, there are approximately 400 workers on site daily, which is expected to increase to 1,500 at the project’s peak
- Over 500 companies from across Canada are already working on the Centre Block rehabilitation project, and 50 initial internships have been created from 10 Canadian colleges and universities to-date
Background
Centre Block Rehabilitation Program
The design concept for the Centre Block and Parliament Welcome Centre has been finalized and major construction activities are underway, such as excavation, demolition and abatement, and masonry rehabilitation.
In addition providing significantly enhanced functionality to Parliament, the restored Centre Block and the new Parliament Welcome Centre will offer an accessible path of travel from the Centennial Flame to the Chamber galleries as well as provide modern building infrastructure to better meet the needs of a broader spectrum of human conditions.
Centre Block will also transition from the highest energy use per meter-squared and the highest emitter of greenhouse gas in the Public Services and Procurement Canada portfolio to being carbon neutral.
Block 2 redevelopment
Public Services and Procurement Canada is finalizing negotiations for the design contract and establishing detailed functional requirements with Parliament, such as the need for committee rooms, parliamentary office units, and associated support spaces, which includes shipping and receiving, food services, postal distribution and base-building operational services.
The block 2 lead design consultant (Zeidler/Chipperfield) will collaborate with Public Services and Procurement Canada and the parliamentary partners to further refine and establish final functional requirements as part of the schematic design phase of the project.
Once the requirements are agreed upon and the design is sufficiently advanced, Public Services and Procurement Canada will be in a position to develop a baseline project budget and begin construction (targeted for 2024).
Indigenous Peoples’ Space
Over the last few years, as the overall lead for the Indigenous Peoples’ Space (100 Wellington), Crown-Indigenous Relations has been working collaboratively with national Indigenous organizations and the Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation Tribal Council to enable the short-term use of the space. There was an understanding amongst partners that 100 Wellington would remain closed until an agreement could be reached between the Government of Canada and Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation Tribal Council for a dedicated space for the Algonquin people (former CIBC building located at 119 Sparks Street).
Crown-Indigenous Relations is best positioned to answer questions on the status of the agreement with the Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation Tribal Council.
As the lead on the redevelopment of block 2, which is where 100 Wellington Street is located, Public Services and Procurement Canada will ensure that the design and construction of the entire block honours and respects the significance of Canada’s Indigenous Peoples and their contributions.
Future of Wellington Street
The Parliamentary Precinct is a complex environment involving many actors with overlapping accountabilities, including Parliament, Public Services and Procurement Canada, several other federal departments and agencies, the City of Ottawa, and security agencies. This creates issues of ownership, security and governance.
Within the next few decades, approximately half of parliamentary offices will be located south of Wellington Street, which no longer serves as a boundary of the precinct but runs right through its core.
Public Services and Procurement Canada is closely following the work of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs on its study of the expansion and operational security of the Parliamentary Precinct.
Following the release of the committee’s report, Public Services and Procurement Canada will work with Parliament to implement a plan that will ensure the security of the Parliamentary Precinct is enhanced, while also allowing it to remain open to all Canadians.
The outcomes of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs and the Public Order Emergency Commission will also be examined and included in a final Government of Canada report on the Future of Wellington Street initiative expected to be completed by the end of March 2023.
Indigenous involvement in the precinct broadly
Beyond the Indigenous Peoples’ Space and the dedicated space for the Algonquin people, Public Services and Procurement Canada is working collaboratively with the Algonquin Nation, Indigenous-led organizations, and other communities to ensure that Indigenous Peoples are involved in the re-building of Canada’s Parliamentary Precinct.
This collaboration includes skills development, apprenticeship and economic opportunities, including an Archaeological Field School to train community members in preserving and managing archaeological findings, as well as working with Indigenous partners on the transfer of Indigenous artifacts in the Parliamentary Precinct.
In addition, agreements have been established with organizations, such as the National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association, the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business, the Council for the Advancement of Native Development Officers, the Aboriginal Apprenticeship Board of Ontario, and the Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation Tribal Council, to assist with fulfilling the 5% mandate for procurement with Indigenous businesses as it pertains to work in the Parliamentary Precinct.
Public Services and Procurement Canada is also working with Indigenous partners to receive input on the proposed architecture and design for the Parliament Welcome Centre and to begin engagement on the redevelopment and expanded Parliamentary Precinct campus through visioning sessions.
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