New federal building in Shawinigan: Construction project

Learn about the new federal building in Shawinigan.

Project overview

Project description

The new 3-storey building provides total usable space of 10,578 square metres. PSPC owns this building.

Adaptation to federal employee needs

This new building provides a modern workplace. It is aligned with current and future space needs identified by the federal departments housed on-site to optimize space occupancy.

The new building houses employees from 3 federal organizations:

• the Canada Revenue Agency
• Employment and Social Development Canada
• Shared Services Canada

Indigenous reconciliation

Two Indigenous components were integrated into the design of the new building:

• a work of art created by 4 Atikamekw artists, as part of a partnership with the Conseil de la Nation Atikamekw
• signage inspired by symbols that are significant in Atikamekw culture

Sustainable development and energy efficiency

In order to meet the government’s new sustainable development requirements, the new building's construction aims for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification.

The building will:

• generate 99% less greenhouse gases (GHG) than the old building
• use 100% clean electricity
• use less drinking water than the old 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 glazed windows and quality exterior walls. These features will increase insulation and maximize natural lighting. Major construction materials were selected with transparency targets. This approach will specifically calculate, and ultimately reduce, their impact on GHG emissions. Over 90% of construction waste from the new building was diverted from landfill. It is expected that 90% of the waste from the deconstruction of the old building will also be diverted.

The project was completed in compliance with sustainable development principles:

• existing green spaces were protected and maintained
• 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, and outdoor lighting fixtures were selected to minimize light pollution

The ceiling of the atrium features 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 old building
    • construction of a parking lot
• The construction of the new building was completed in fall 2025
• Deconstruction of the old building is scheduled for completion in 2026

Related links

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