New federal building in Shawinigan: construction project

Learn about the construction of a new building on the current site of the National Verification and Collections Centre of the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) in Shawinigan.

Project overview

Project description

PSPC will own this building. This 3-storey construction will provide total usable space of 10,578 square metres.

The project is carried out in project-management mode, which means there is a collaboration between PSPC, the architecture and engineering consultant and the managing construction contractor from the beginning of the project.

This approach makes it possible to create efficiencies and begin the construction before the design work is completed and make changes along the way.

Adaptation to federal employee needs

Given the new reality of hybrid work, this new building will provide a modern workplace that is better aligned with current and future space needs identified by the federal departments housed on-site to optimize space occupancy.

Approximately 2,000 employees will work in the new building. These employees work for:

• CRA
• Employment and Social Development Canada
• Shared Services Canada

Sustainable development and energy efficiency

In order to meet the government’s new sustainable development requirements, the new building will be constructed for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold and BOMA BEST Gold certifications.

The building will:

• generate 99% less greenhouse gases (GHG) than the existing building
• use 100% clean electricity
• use less drinking water than the current building
• be resilient to climate change
• have efficient heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment:
  • refrigerants with a smaller impact on climate warming
  • over 90% of heat recovered

We expect the building to be 25% more efficient than National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings requirements. The building will have high energy performance with triple glazing and quality exterior walls to increase insulation and maximized natural lighting. Major construction materials will be selected with transparency targets to specifically calculate, and ultimately reduce, their impact on GHG emissions. Over 90% of construction waste from the new building and deconstruction of the existing building will be diverted from landfill.

This project will be completed in compliance with sustainable development principles:

• existing green spaces will be protected and maintained, and existing paved areas will be restored to their natural state
• landscaping will allow rainwater to seep into the ground so that less water is discharged into municipal sewers
• light-emitting diode (LED) interior lighting with motion detectors will reduce energy consumption. Outdoor lighting fixtures will be selected to minimize light pollution

The ceiling of the atrium will feature locally sourced wood, giving it a warm, prestigious feel.

Milestones

• On February 4, 2019, the Government of Canada announced the construction of a new federal building in Shawinigan
• Following fair, open and transparent tendering processes, we have awarded:
  • a contract to Gagnon, Letellier, Cyr, Ricard, Mathieu et associés, architectes, S.E.N.C., Coarchitecture Inc., en consortium for architecture and engineering services
  • a contract for construction management services to Pomerleau Inc. for the:
    • construction of the building
    • deconstruction of the existing building
    • construction of a parking lot
• The construction of the new building is scheduled for completion in summer 2025
• Deconstruction of the existing building is scheduled for completion in 2026

On-site camera

Follow the progress of this project with the on-site camera.

Video

Watch this video that shows what the new building will look like when it is completed.

Photo gallery

Select the image to enlarge.

Related links

• Directory of Federal Real Property: Canada Revenue Agency’s National Verification and Collections Centre in Shawinigan
• Activity-based workplace