Construction of a Modern Federal Justice Complex in Montréal

Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) will build a new justice complex in Old Montréal to house four federal courts: the Federal Court of Appeal, the Federal Court, the Court Martial Appeal Court of Canada and the Tax Court of Canada, as well as the Courts Administration Service (CAS).

The new justice complex will contribute to improving access to justice for Canadians with improved and expanded services thanks to the modern, secure, accessible and digitally enhanced facilities.

PSPC will own and manage this new 8 storey building (plus ground floor and basement), of approximately 11,750 m² (gross).

An architectural concept that reflects the urban environment of Old Montréal

• The building’s architectural concept seeks to demystify the judicial process by presenting it as transparent and orderly, while also being accessible to the people it is intended to serve in a fair and impartial manner.
• The concept was developed to optimize the building’s configuration on the site bounded by five buildings and two public roads, while meeting the needs of the occupants.
• The complex consists of a 2-storey entrance hall, plus a ground floor and basement, on the Notre-Dame Street side, which forms the main facade of the building, and an 8-storey tower, (mechanical penthouse included, plus a ground floor and basement on the Saint-Jacques Street side.
• The heights of the  entrance hall and the tower are modulated according to the street to respect the heights permitted by the zoning by-law for the Old Montréal sector.
• Granite stone cladding will be used for the entrance hall, while the tower will be covered with a high-quality concrete cladding imitating the colour and texture of natural stone, so that the building blends into the existing architectural landscape.
• All architectural woodwork will be made of Canadian oak.
• The construction project will promote building accessibility for all, in compliance with the Accessible Canada Act.

A building focused on sustainable development

• To meet the government’s new sustainable development requirements, the new building will be built to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold and WELL Silver standards.
• The building will generate 98% less greenhouse gases (GHGs) than a similar building based on the National Energy Code for Buildings. It will be powered by 100% clean electricity and resilient to climate change.
• The building will feature efficient mechanical heating, ventilation and air-conditioning equipment, including heat recovery and energy-efficient lighting, combined with an effective control strategy to reduce energy consumption.
• The building will reduce potable water consumption through the integration of low-flow plumbing fixtures and will have high energy performance with a quality exterior envelope to increase insulation.
• We expect the building to be 47% more efficient than the requirements of the National Energy Code for Buildings. Over 75% of non-hazardous waste and 75% of plastics from the new building will be diverted from landfills, as will 90% of construction, renovation and demolition (CRD) waste.
• The building will be resilient to climate change.

A modern workplace

• The complex will house the CAS workspace, courtrooms and judges’ offices.
• The new building will provide modern, state-of-the-art workspaces fully adapted to the delivery of justice to Canadians.
• The Government of Canada Workplace Fit-up Standard (GC Workplace) will be applied in the building’s office spaces.

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Construction of a Modern Federal Justice Complex in Montréal - Gallery