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The year in review: The Long Term Vision and Plan for the Parliamentary Precinct—Annual Report 2021 to 2022

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Sustainability in the Parliamentary Precinct

Public Services and Procurement Canada is working closely with Parliament to transform Canada’s Parliamentary Precinct into a model for sustainability. The focus of the sustainability strategy prioritizes the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and adaptation to climate change.

Greenhouse gas emissions reduction

Public Services and Procurement Canada has established a target of 80% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions for the Parliamentary Precinct by 2030, based on an emissions baseline that was established in 2005 – 06. The Parliamentary Precinct’s 2005 – 06 greenhouse gas (GHG) emission baseline was approximately 32,500 tonnes of Carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions. In 2021 – 22, the Parliamentary Precinct emitted approximately 11,800 tonnes of CO2e, representing a 63% reduction from the 2005 – 06 baseline, well on the way to meeting its 2030 objective.

Block 2

Sustainability was one of several criteria used to evaluate the architectural design competition for Block 2. The winning design by Zeidler Architecture and David Chipperfield Architects proposes to reuse the existing heritage buildings, which not only keeps the heritage nature of the block but also provides an accompanying sustainability benefit. The reuse of existing building materials, lowers the associated carbon dioxide emissions as a result of production, transportation, and installation of building materials on-site. Reducing both embodied carbon and operational carbon in buildings is an important factor toward achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Energy Services Acquisition Program

The Parliamentary Precinct is heated and cooled by a district energy system connected by an underground pipe network that distributes steam and chilled water. As part of the Energy Services Acquisition Program, Public Services and Procurement Canada is converting the old heating plants from using the energy-intensive, high-temperature steam system to a more energy-efficient, low-temperature hot water system. With an expected completion in 2024 – 25, the new system will use less energy and produce 33% less greenhouse gas emissions compared to steamfootnote 1.

Public Services and Procurement Canada engineers play an important role in the conversion process by reconfiguring utility spaces in the upgraded buildings. As of 2021 – 2022, we completed eight of the 19 conversion enabling projects to make room for the new heating and cooling equipment.

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Light-Emitting Diode lighting retrofits

In 2021 – 2022, approximately 10,000 energy-efficient light-emitting diode lights were installed in the Parliamentary Precinct. More energy-efficient than existing fluorescent bulbs, these new lights will save about $85,000 per year in electricity costs. They will also reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 30 tonnes of CO2e.

Greening of the Centre Block

In 2021 – 2022, Public Services and Procurement Canada completed major milestones toward transforming one of the Precinct’s worst performing and highest greenhouse gas-emitting assets to a net-zero carbon facility.

In 2021, Public Services and Procurement Canada confirmed the feasibility of installing a geo-exchange field of vertical boreholes under the Parliament Welcome Centre. As the ground maintains a relatively stable temperature throughout the year, the boreholes act as a seasonal storage medium, similar to how a battery stores electricity. Heat captured in the ground during the summer can be drawn upon to heat the building during the winter. This will result in reduced energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions associated with traditional heating and cooling.

Adaptation to climate change

Following the completion of a 2020 Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment of the Parliamentary Precinct, climate adaptation measures are now being incorporated into all plans, projects, and operations.

For example, the Centre Block Rehabilitation project is incorporating the following climate adaptation measures into the design:

  • making space in the main equipment rooms and in the primary heating, ventilation, and air conditioning distribution systems for the future addition of cooling and ventilation capacity;
  • incorporating a snow-and-ice melting system at the heritage entrances to reduce the use of de-icing salts and prolong the life of the heritage walkways, facades, and doors; and
  • designing drainage systems to accommodate more frequent high-intensity rain events.

The restoration of the Parliament Hill escarpment is another example of climate adaptation in action. In 2021, Public Services and Procurement Canada revitalized the forest of the Parliament Hill escarpment to make it more diverse with local trees and shrubs. A total of 70,000 seedlings and small shrubs were planted. The new plantings improve the forest’s chances of survival against disease and insect infestations, restore lost colours and contrasts, and serve to stabilize the soil from erosion exacerbated by more frequent intense rain. The plantings also diversify the ecosystem and help conserve escarpment wildlife. Mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians live on the escarpment and benefit from the native plants.

Operations

As the property custodian for the buildings within the Parliamentary Precinct, Public Services and Procurement Canada continued to support the success of the Long Term Vision and Plan projects by ensuring the continued operations of our parliamentary partners: the House of Commons, the Senate of Canada, the Library of Parliament and the Parliamentary Protective Service as well as the Privy Council Office and the Prime Minister’s Office. These critical democratic institutions were able to continue operating throughout the pandemic, and during the occupation of Wellington Street.

Operating Parliamentary Buildings during the COVID-19 pandemic and unanticipated events

During the second full year of COVID-19, Public Services and Procurement Canada made a number of modifications to the Parliament Buildings’ heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, along with implementing stringent monitoring programs of indoor air quality in order to ensure the safety of staff and parliamentarians in their workplace.

Unanticipated events such as the occupation of Wellington Street presented challenges for critical work to proceed. Public Services and Procurement Canada worked closely with Parliament and other agencies to quickly implement mitigation measures to limit disruptions to Parliament, which included the installation of enhanced security barriers and access control surrounding the Precinct. In addition, 24/7 on-site support was put in place to enable agile responses. Public Services and Procurement Canada collaborated with the Parliamentary Protective Service, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the National Capital Commission and many others to implement security measures to increase the safety of building occupants.

Universal accessibility

The renovation of heritage buildings and new construction in the Parliamentary Precinct provides an opportunity to incorporate universal accessibility measures into the buildings and grounds of Parliament. The ability to improve accessibility on this scale is rare. With the Centre Block closed for rehabilitation, the construction of a new Parliament Welcome Centre underway and landscape plans for Parliament Hill being developed, universal accessibility improvements can be incorporated on a large scale within designs to exceed current standards, creating a universally accessible Parliamentary Precinct for all Canadians to enjoy.

This past year, the Universal Accessibility (UA) team, mandated with making Canada’s Parliamentary Precinct universally accessible, achieved two main accomplishments:

  1. Developed the Universal Strategy and Action Plan for the Parliamentary Precinct; and
  2. Developed tools for UA implementation;

Developing a strategy and action plan

In 2021 – 22, the Universal Accessibility Strategy and Action Plan was developed for the Parliamentary Precinct. The Strategy aims to make Canada’s Parliamentary Precinct a global model and leader for universal accessibility. It informs and guides the implementation of universal accessibility across the Parliamentary Precinct.

Supporting universal accessibility

The Universal Accessibility Strategy and Action Plan (the Strategy) outlines a broad vision for the future with six supporting goals; establishes a comprehensive audit program based on leading universal accessibility best practices; and sets a path forward to leverage the extensive rehabilitation and modernization program underway to deliver a more inclusive and universally accessible Parliamentary Precinct. It provides:

  • guidance to develop the Precinct as a leader in universal accessibility
  • a practical and phased approach for the integration of universal accessibility within projects of all scales, as well as other initiatives related to the design of the built environment, maintenance, operations and services
  • an approach to ensuring equity and inclusion in the development of projects undertaken in the Precinct
  • guidance on achieving balance between universal accessibility, heritage, sustainability and security
  • recommendations to build awareness of universal accessibility and to continue a close collaboration with persons with disabilities and key stakeholders to ensure that initiatives align with the goals of this Strategy

The Universal Accessibility team provides ongoing support and resources to project teams throughout the rehabilitation process. The team created a checklist of Universal Accessibility Best Practices for fast reference in the design process along with guides to expedite the implementation of the Universal Accessibility Strategy and Action Plan (Strategy). Through outreach activities, the team connected with project teams to foster a clear understanding of the Strategy to support the integration of Parliamentary Precinct Universal Accessibility best practices in all projects.

The Universal Accessibility team continues to track progress on the implementation of the Strategy at various milestones for each project. The team developed a monitoring tool that provides an easy reference for all stakeholders to ensure the Universal Accessibility Best Practices’ objectives are implemented in accordance with the recommendations made in audit reports.

Adjusting as we learn

In an effort to meet the key principle of the Accessible Canada Act of “Nothing Without Us”, Public Services and Procurement Canada continues to engage persons with disabilities via our Universal Accessibility Advisory Committee. The committee’s mandate was refreshed in 2021 – 22 to provide greater opportunity to engage the disability community for advice on the ongoing and future projects, and major rehabilitations. The Universal Accessibility Best Practices for the Parliamentary Precinct were also updated.

Collaborating to improve outcomes

Planning for future accessibility needs means reviewing concerns from the past, understanding current requirements, and anticipating future needs. The Parliamentary Precinct Universal Accessibility Working Group was created to improve collaboration between Public Services and Procurement Canada and parliamentary partners in implementing universal accessibility improvements.

Public Services and Procurement Canada is also collaborating with the Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office, which oversees changes to designated federal heritage buildings to address challenges related to universal accessibility implementation in heritage buildings. We are also collaborating with Accessibility Standards Canada-funded research projects on heritage conservation and the accessible built environment.

Many universal accessibility audits were conducted in 2021 – 22. Audits were completed for the grounds of the Parliamentary Precinct and for 11 of the Precinct buildings, including the following major facilities:

  • Sir John A. Macdonald Building;
  • 180 Wellington;
  • Senate of Canada Building; and
  • Office of the Prime Minister and Privy Council.

These audits produced reports, which contain hundreds of detailed recommendations for the implementation of the Universal Accessibility Best Practices.

Recapitalization program

The Recapitalization Program consists of preserving the buildings and the Parliament Hill grounds that are operational but have not yet been fully rehabilitated. The associated projects are designed to stop or reduce ongoing deterioration, respond to urgent building repair requirements, address health and safety issues and reduce the cost and complexity of future major rehabilitation projects by leveraging the recapitalization work.

North Slope

The North Slope escarpment, facing the Ottawa River and the province of Quebec, is one of Parliament Hill’s most visible and significant heritage assets.

Over time, the North Slope has become overrun with invasive plants. These invasive plants have not only prevented local trees and shrubs from growing, but they have also made the ground unstable and unsafe for visitors to this area of Centre Block.

The North Slope Vegetation project aims to revitalize the forest on the northern side of Centre Block to make it more diverse with local trees and shrubs. Revitalizing the North Slope will have multiple benefits, such as stabilizing soil, restoring lost colour and contrast and improving the forest’s chance of survival against disease and insect infestations. In addition, it will make the North Slope safer for all Parliament Hill visitors by restabilizing the ground and preventing landslides onto public paths. To ensure the project progressed smoothly, monthly meetings and visits to the North Slope site were organized by Public Services and Procurement Canada for various partners and stakeholders.

The first phase of the project was implemented in March 2021, completing the initial work prior to bird nesting season. The remainder of the work was completed in 2022. Teams removed invasive shrubs and smaller plants, and planted about 36,500 new trees, shrubs and plants carefully selected from domestic species to help stabilize the slope. Teams also worked to rehabilitate and stabilize the remnants of Lovers’ Walk on the Parliament Hill slope.

Lovers’ Walk

If asked today, most Canadians would not be aware of Lovers’ Walk, a pathway that ran along the mid-point of the North Slope escarpment. Its history is even somewhat cloudy. The walk is believed to have originated as a trail for local Indigenous peoples. It was later used by area loggers to move from their homes in the Byward Market area to the logging chutes to the west.

Sometime after Confederation, the path was widened and built up with concrete and safety railings. It was popular for a time and used by citizens and visitors to the Parliament as a promenade to tour the grounds. The pathway was closed at the beginning of the First World War out of fear that saboteurs would use it to access the ventilation shafts of Centre Block and place explosives under the building.

In 1936 – 1937, landslides washed out about 18 metres of the path and it never officially reopened. Eventually, more areas collapsed. Rebuilding Lovers’ Walk has been examined often by Parliament but work was not undertaken due to soil erosion concerns. The work on the North Slope will address these erosion issues. What remains of the path will be preserved for historical appreciation and public safety.

Video: Restoring Parliament Hill’s escarpment to its natural forested state

North Slope numbers

This is what was planted on the slope:

  • 2,500 deciduous trees
  • 2,900 coniferous trees
  • 5,900 large shrubs
  • 25,200 small shrubs and plants

Moving forward, we will maintain and monitor the slope to ensure the long-term success of the reforestation.

Building components and connectivity program

The Building Components and Connectivity program implements Precinct-wide projects that help modernize campus-wide communication and information technology. These various projects allow more than 30 buildings within the Precinct grounds to meet parliamentarians’ modern business needs. Projects are coordinated and integrated with Long Term Vision and Plan projects as they roll out to ensure efficient and cost-effective delivery of building connectivity elements.

Our collaboration with parliamentary administration advanced our work to modernize and implement new infrastructure and systems needed to support the efficient and continued delivery of information technology and campus-wide communication to parliamentarians, legislative support and visitors.

In 2021 – 2022, the program successfully completed multiple key projects, including:

  • Data Centre Risk Mitigation—Phase 1: Established a disaster recovery site to deploy information technology infrastructure and to enable technologies to lessen the risk of disruptions
  • Information Technology Infrastructure Base Building Upgrades—Phase 1: Modernized various information technology equipment rooms and associated infrastructure in the Parliamentary Precinct
  • Modernization of the Parliament Community Access Television—Phase 1: Modernized information technology infrastructure and cabling, as well as developed mobile applications to accept the broadcast industry’s technological change from analog to digital content

Advances in planning and implementing various projects to modernize information technology infrastructure and systems also continued to progress throughout the year, including:

  • Information Technology Centre: Relocating the House of Commons Data Centre along with associated support spaces into a new facility outside the Parliamentary Precinct.
  • Information Technology Backbone: Expanding the existing information technology infrastructure at the 155 Queen Street Building to fulfill the need for a diverse pathway of the parliamentary network to serve the entire building and its occupants.
  • Information Technology Infrastructure Base Building Upgrades—Phase 2: Aligning and modernizing information technology equipment rooms and associated in-building pathway infrastructure in the Parliamentary Precinct.
  • Data Centre Risk Mitigation—Phase 2: Establishing other disaster recovery sites to deploy information technology infrastructure and enable technologies to lessen the disruption risks.
  • Integrated Campus-Connected Services: Implementing solutions to address parliamentarians’ evolving technical and operational requirements to work in an increasingly interconnected and mobile environment.
  • Multimedia Operations and Distribution Centre: Combining the parliamentary partners’ multimedia and distribution operations within a single location to support the monitoring, controlling and distribution needs of the chambers’ and committee rooms’ multimedia services.
  • Permanent East Interconnect Facility: Relocating and enhancing the current East Interconnect Facility in the East Block to allow for the future rehabilitation of the East Block without impacting connectivity services for parliamentarians.
  • Simultaneous Interpretation Console Upgrades—Phase 2: Providing the Parliamentary Interpretation Service with efficient and safe interpretation systems and consoles within the Parliamentary Precinct to enable safe and high-quality remote interpretation services to Parliament.
  • Video Surveillance and Security Systems: Easing the transfer and merger of the video surveillance and security systems, including launching a preventative security network designed for current and future threat environments.
  • Next Generation Network Infrastructure: Modifying the delivery model for parliamentary telephony to eliminate the cost of operating traditional phone lines through external service providers.

These projects continue to provide an uninterrupted experience for those within the Parliamentary Precinct by ensuring reliable infrastructure and systems. They also increasingly offer parliamentarians the means to connect effectively and efficiently in mobile work environments. Working closely with our partners, we continue to advance this vital work while maintaining a robust and safe information technology environment.

East Block rehabilitation

The East Block Rehabilitation Phase 1 project targets urgent repairs to four areas within the exterior envelope of this 1867 wing. These areas include the southwest tower, the southeast tower entrance (Agriculture entrance), the south entrance and the Governor General’s entrance.

We implemented an enhanced maintenance program that provides scheduled maintenance activities and developed the East Block Rehabilitation Phase 2 project, an ongoing screening and investigation program to identify issues to be addressed prior to the full rehabilitation of the structure.

Moving forward, Public Services and Procurement Canada will continue to work with stakeholders to develop functional programs and complete technical and feasibility studies to inform the implementation of future major rehabilitation projects such as the Confederation Building Rehabilitation and the construction of a Material Handling Facility.

Block 1

Block 1 is located on Wellington Street directly across from the East Block between Elgin and Metcalfe streets. It is comprised of buildings that house the Office of the Prime Minister and Privy Council, as well as other small heritage buildings that are facing advanced levels of deterioration. For example, the Office of the Prime Minister and Privy Council building (built in 1884) and the Blackburn building (built in 1911) are nearing the end of their lifecycles. The Block 1 Redevelopment project will transform these underutilized and deteriorated buildings to provide modern accommodations for the Prime Minister’s Office and Privy Council Office staff.

In preparation for the Block 1 Redevelopment project, swing space must be provided to relocate occupants from Block 1. In 2021, Public Services and Procurement Canada acquired the 100 Sparks and 30 Metcalfe buildings from the National Capital Commission for this purpose, with redevelopment work targeted to begin in 2024. This includes constructing a new, 14-floor building that will achieve net-zero emissions and meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum building requirements. The redeveloped space will also meet universal accessibility standards and contain retail at ground level to maintain the Sparks Street commercial presence.

The Block 1 Redevelopment project assumes a phased approach:

Phase 1 Block 1 infill building

In 2028, following the completion of the 100 Sparks/30 Metcalfe relocation of Blackburn building’s occupants to this new swing space, the development of a new infill building will begin on land adjacent to the Blackburn building. This site will be redeveloped as a new, single building and will provide swing space for the occupants of the Office of the Prime Minister and Privy Council during the Phase 2 redevelopment.

Phase 2 Block 1 Office of the Prime Minister and Privy Council rehabilitation

The rehabilitation of the Office of the Prime Minister and Privy Council is estimated to start in 2033. The Privy Council Office will relocate most of its occupants into the 100 Sparks/30 Metcalfe swing space. This swing space will provide additional capacity to address any client expansion requirements.

Potential adaptation

Further study and consultations are required to determine whether the Prime Minister’s Office and the Privy Council Office can remain in situ during the Block 1 construction. In the event this is not possible, options will be assessed to determine alternate locations.

Block 2

Block 2 is one of three city blocks that hold much significance and history within the Parliamentary Precinct. Located on Wellington Street, south of Parliament Hill and in the busy heart of downtown, Block 2 is known as the threshold between the Town and Crown fronting Parliament Hill to the north, and Sparks Street’s commercial mall to the south. The Block 2 project encompasses approximately 10,000 square metres of existing building space on the block bordered by Metcalfe, O’Connor and Sparks Streets, excluding the former U.S. Embassy building and the former CIBC building on Sparks, the future home of a reimagined Indigenous Peoples’ Space.

Architectural design competition

The Long Term Vision and Plan for Block 2 is to modernize and renew these important buildings in a way that preserves their heritage and unique characteristics. Updates will focus on modernizing the infrastructure while maintaining the traditional, gothic architecture of the Centre Block, highlighting the buildings’ history.

Taking inspiration from the first design competition held in 1859 for the original Parliament Buildings, a design competition was launched in December 2020 to generate innovative new ideas for the layout of Block 2.

Enlisting the help of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada, this international competition was held to select an architecture firm to provide the design vision for the future of Block 2.

With the added challenges of the pandemic’s restrictions, the competition was held online. Presentations by competitors were done via video conferencing with an independent jury panel. The jury panel consisted of national and international design professionals, members from Canadian academia, the Canadian civil society and Members of Parliament. Technical experts supported the jury through various discussions about urban planning, built heritage, structural design, sustainability and accessibility. The jury included three parliamentarians and six Indigenous members.

Jury for the architectural design competition for Block 2

The architectural design competition was completed in two phases.

Phase one was open to all interested parties. On December 22, 2020, a Request for Qualification for the architectural design competition was officially published and open to the public.

Phase 2 was broken into two different stages. In the first stage, Public Services and Procurement Canada invited the twelve competitors with the highest evaluation score on the Request for Qualification to participate in the design contest and introduce more detailed projects. Each of the twelve competitors submitted an outline of their design concept for evaluation, and the jury then narrowed the designs to the top six.

The second stage of Phase 2 began in October 2021. The six remaining competitors submitted advanced design concepts which were presented publicly through an online virtual event, hosted jointly by Public Services and Procurement Canada and the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada.

Renewal of Block 2—A virtual presentation (external link)

The jury evaluated the designs based on which best brought the past, present and future together and honoured and respected the significance of the space, which sits at the heart of Canada’s Parliamentary Precinct.

Winner announced

On May 16, 2022, a ministerial event was held and the Honourable Filomena Tassi, former Minister of Public Services and Procurement Canada, announced the winner of the Block 2 design competition: Zeidler Architecture Inc. (Toronto, Canada), in association with David Chipperfield Architects (London, United Kingdom).

Government of Canada names winner in Block 2 Architectural Design Competition

Visit our website to see the Block 2 proposals from the final six competitors.

Design concept selected for Block 2

The next phase of the Block 2 project includes negotiating a contract award with the winning firm that will be finalized in 2023 and exploring details about Parliament’s functional requirements. Once finalized, a baseline budget for the project will be created.

Centre Block rehabilitation

The rehabilitation of the Centre Block and the construction of Canada’s new Parliament Welcome Centre represent the largest and most complex heritage rehabilitation projects in Canadian history.

Centre Block, Canada’s main Parliament building, is being completely modernized while respecting its iconic heritage significance. Canada’s new Parliament Welcome Centre will significantly enhance security, accommodate parliamentary functions that must be in proximity to the Centre Block, and provide an improved experience for visitors to Canada’s Parliament. This new underground facility will span the length of the Centre Block, connecting the Centre, East, and West Block buildings into an integrated parliamentary complex.

To maximize efficiencies and reduce program risk, Public Services and Procurement Canada has launched construction activities that are unaffected by design outcomes while the design continues to develop.

Cost and schedule

Significant engagement with Parliament to obtain key decisions to inform both the scope and design enabled Public Services and Procurement Canada to establish baseline cost, scope and schedule in June 2021. The program budget range was established at $4.5 – $5B with an estimated construction completion in 2030 – 2031. The budget range was independently evaluated by Turner & Townsend, a third-party cost, time and risk advisory consultant. In addition, in March 2022, Public Services and Procurement Canada launched quarterly status reporting on the progress of the project. The Turner & Townsend Due Diligence Report and the quarterly reports are available on our website.

Design progress

Schematic design of the Centre Block and Parliament Welcome Centre achieved 90% completion during this reporting period. Base building design concepts including structural, mechanical and electrical systems evolved while balancing the heritage, sustainability and accessibility objectives of the project as well as the functional program requirements of Parliament.

Public Services and Procurement Canada continued to work with the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada, who assembled an independent design review panel of prominent Canadian architects and design professionals, to provide design advice to ensure a world-class design.

Construction progress

Collaboration between Public Services and Procurement Canada and industry partners on stringent protocols for the construction site such as masking, rigorous entry screening, and rapid testing enabled construction activities to continue advancing in a pandemic environment. The Wellington Street occupation caused the closure of the construction site for three full weeks in January and February 2022. This caused short-term schedule impacts, but mitigation measures were successfully implemented to avoid impacts on construction completion timelines. Key construction milestones as of March 2022 included:

  • On the exterior of the Centre Block, the masonry program continued work on the north façade and achieved 25% completion.
  • On the inside of the Centre Block, demolition and abatement activities progressed to approximately 65% completion. Approximately 7 million kilograms (16 million pounds) of abated material was removed from the Centre Block.
  • Excavation of the underground Parliament Welcome Centre continued to progress to 65% completion.

Base isolation of the Centre Block requires a movement gap or “moat” around the perimeter of the building to allow the main structure to move in the event of an earthquake. This work was completed along the north façade in August 2021.

Video: 2021 Centre Block project construction update

Partnerships and engagement

Partnerships are vital for the success of the Long Term Vision and Plan. First and foremost, the Long Term Vision and Plan is carried out in full partnership with Parliament. Beyond Parliament, Public Services and Procurement Canada also taps into the experience and skills of a diverse set of partners to enrich the program and deliver better results. Partnerships also enable Public Services and Procurement Canada to better connect with Canadians and visitors to inform them of the work underway to renew the Parliamentary Precinct.

Public Services and Procurement Canada continues to build relationships with subject matter experts to ensure projects employ innovative, practical, adaptable, and inclusive ways to shape the rehabilitation work carried out within the Parliamentary Precinct. These partnerships and this collaboration help strengthen and grow the Long Term Vision and Plan.

Stakeholder outreach

Stakeholder outreach takes many forms under the Long Term Vision and Plan. A number of activities to inform and involve parliamentary partners, industry experts, community partners and the general public are implemented throughout the year.

Public opinion research

In the summer of 2021, Public Services and Procurement Canada contracted EKOS Research Associates to create and conduct a public opinion survey on Canadians’ experiences and expectations of the Parliamentary Precinct. The representative survey of 1,551 Canadians over the age of 18 was bolstered with an additional 501 responses by Canadians, obtained through Public Services and Procurement Canada’s website. Responses provided insights into how the Parliamentary Precinct could be improved in the future. Roughly three in four respondents identified increased accessibility and heritage conservation as key goals. Acting upon this feedback will ensure that the Precinct continues to be a welcoming place that reflects the values of all Canadians. The final report on the survey was tabled in January 2022. The process and results are available online for a more in-depth look at the research gathered from the survey concerning the Parliamentary Precinct.

International Network of Parliamentary Properties

The International Network of Parliamentary Properties (INPP) is a global community of professionals and experts dedicated to exchanging and sharing knowledge regarding the conservation, restoration and rehabilitation of heritage parliamentary buildings. Its purpose is to foster engagement and collaboration with a global community of peers with particular experience and expertise in dealing with complex parliamentary rehabilitation projects that aim to preserve and enhance these symbolic buildings for current and future generations.

Canada serves as both chair of the Steering Committee and secretariat for the network. This involves planning the annual program of work, coordinating regular meetings of the Steering Committee, promoting the network and overseeing communication between network members.

The 2021 annual conference was hosted in a virtual format by the United Kingdom due to COVID-19 restrictions. The annual conference allowed members to exchange knowledge, lessons learned, and best practices within a global community of specialized professionals. Other activities of note included the launch of a webinar series, with sessions on topics of Building Information Mapping, Risk Management and Governance. Participation in these forums has allowed Canadian representatives to share best practices from Canada’s Parliamentary Precinct rehabilitation projects and gain valuable insight from other nations to support the work underway in Canada.

Collaboration and exchanging information with other nations helps to strengthen the Long Term Vision and Plan and the delivery of various projects across the Parliamentary Precinct.

Centre Block tours

While public tours inside the Centre Block are not available during the rehabilitation project, construction site visits have enabled parliamentarians, media and key stakeholders to witness first-hand the magnitude and complexity of the rehabilitation project. Although tour access was restricted during 2021–2022 to adhere to COVID-19 protocols, over 50 tours of the Centre Block construction site were offered, bringing close to 300 key stakeholders onto the site.

Doors Open Ottawa 2021

In the spring of 2021, Public Services and Procurement Canada took part in the annual Doors Open Ottawa event, which invites the public into Ottawa’s most interesting buildings, many of which are usually inaccessible to the general public. The 2021 Doors Open Ottawa program provided Public Services and Procurement Canada a unique opportunity to bring Canadians and stakeholders behind the scenes to see the Centre Block Rehabilitation program in progress. As the COVID-19 guidelines prevented in-person events, a virtual event allowed Canadians to see the work taking place inside the Centre Block.

The weekend’s virtual event was attended by over 400 visitors who were able to learn about the Centre Block Rehabilitation program through still photography and in-depth descriptions as well as 3D and virtual tours via the Doors Open Ottawa website. These virtual tours also allowed guests to learn about the Centre Block Rehabilitation program, which is one of Canada’s most complex heritage rehabilitation projects to date.

Parliament Hill interpretive panels and collaboration with the Department of Canadian Heritage

In the fall of 2021, large-scale decorative hoarding panels comprised of photos and interpretive text were displayed on the front lawn of Parliament Hill, in advance of the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The panels and images convey information about Parliament and the work being done to rehabilitate it, Indigenous Peoples and the Hill as a gathering place and offer wayfinding guidance for visitors.

Public Services and Procurement Canada worked closely with the local Anishinabeg Algonquin communities of Pikwakanagan and Kitigan Zibi to develop an overview and highlight the Anishinabeg Algonquin history in this region since time immemorial as well as present day aspects of their way of life. Public Services and Procurement Canada also engaged with the Assembly of First Nations, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and the Métis National Council who provided rich information on Indigenous Peoples to share with visitors. Working collaboratively with Indigenous communities and parliamentary partners, these panels were an important step in advancing reconciliation, while safeguarding the construction site and helping to improve the overall visitor experience and the iconic view of Centre Block while under construction.

An important partner in helping to improve the visitor experience at this site during construction is the Department of Canadian Heritage. Canadian Heritage provides a heritage interpretation program from mid-May to Labour Day including guided tours, with mobile interpretation officers posted at various locations and a self-guided brochure. Through this program, interpretation officers interact with thousands of visitors each year. A large portion of the inquiries by visitors are directly related to the rehabilitation project and the visible construction activity on-site. To help ensure accurate messaging about the Precinct’s rehabilitation projects, Public Services and Procurement Canada has developed a training module for the interpreters, which is delivered in the spring of 2022 as part of their overall training. Public Services and Procurement Canada also contributes to the self-guided outdoor tour brochure which includes a map and descriptions of the grounds, monuments, buildings and their rehabilitation.

City of Ottawa public art collaboration: Sparks Street

Home to many offices and small businesses, Sparks Street was converted into Ottawa’s first pedestrian-only mall in the 1960s. In 2020, Public Services and Procurement Canada and the City of Ottawa collaborated to create public art displays in this high-foot-traffic area. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed in April 2021 to continue the collaboration with the City of Ottawa for another two years. Vacant storefronts provided a blank slate to feature artwork commissioned by the City of Ottawa or curated from their collection. This project provided an engaging and colourful backdrop for national and local events.

Microcosm

The Microcosm installation (June 2021 to February 2022) displayed commissioned works by six local artists created during COVID-19. Microcosm addressed issues of isolation and intersectional identities. It gave space to underrepresented communities, and supported artists struggling in the early days of the pandemic. By collaborating with the City of Ottawa, Public Services and Procurement Canada brought vibrancy to a vital street within the Parliamentary Precinct. Key stakeholders such as the Sparks Street Business Improvement Area, Canadian Heritage, and Ottawa Tourism, responded positively to the installation as it allowed the public to enjoy something as a collective while COVID-19 guidelines were enforced.

Moments of Respite

Moments of Respite (February 2022 to September 2022) presented portraits by Inuit artists Brian Adams and Annie Pootoogook. The exhibit aimed to share insights into the richness of the Inuit community’s cultural practices. The exhibit appeared in Inuktitut as well as Canada’s two official languages. It displayed works from the City of Ottawa and Ottawa Art Gallery collections.

Engagement and reconciliation

Public Services and Procurement Canada is committed to working with Parliamentary and Indigenous partners to ensure that Canada’s Parliament buildings and grounds integrate Indigenous perspectives, and are welcoming and representative of Indigenous Peoples in Canada.

Centre Block visioning session

Collaboration with Indigenous partners is crucial to ensure that the rehabilitated Centre Block and the new Parliament Welcome Centre reflect Indigenous perspectives and cultures in Canada. The first visioning session was held in November 2021, with the host, the Anishinabeg Algonquin Nation. The conversations centred around gathering insights on how to best incorporate Anishinabeg Algonquin elements—past and present—through architectural design in the Parliament Welcome Centre.

The session began with a series of presentations introducing the themes, project scope, and design work to date. It also highlighted previous successful First Nations collaborations within the Parliamentary Precinct, and a team of Indigenous architects showed examples of international spaces with Indigenous-inspired architecture. This was an important relationship-building opportunity; Anishinabeg Algonquin youth, women, artists, entrepreneurs, and Elders and Chiefs attended the session and shared their knowledge, history, culture and traditions, and artistic perspectives to help inspire the design and architecture of the Parliament Welcome Centre. The session was designed with Anishinabeg Algonquin cultural protocols in mind, including smudging, a talking circle for the opening introductions and prayer, tobacco ties, gifts, and a medicine table with sage, sweet grass, tobacco and cedar. A follow-up meeting was also held in March 2022, to validate themes and context with the Anishinabeg Algonquin Nation participants. Public Services and Procurement Canada continues to plan meetings and visioning sessions with National Indigenous Organizations to ensure contributions to the design and architecture of Centre Block represent Indigenous perspectives across Canada.

Respecting the Residential School Memorial

In the spring of 2021, a memorial formed spontaneously in front of Centre Block and around the Centennial Flame after the Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation announced the remains of an estimated 215 children were found buried on the grounds of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School. The Parliament Hill memorial was a compelling focal point for the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in September 2021.

Public Services and Procurement Canada ensured the maintenance and operations around the Centennial Flame was completed with utmost respect and acknowledgment of the memorial, assuring open access for continued visitation. In October 2021, Public Services and Procurement Canada played a critical role in partnership with Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada to support the Anishinabeg Algonquin Nation in removing the memorial, and carefully storing and recycling the items in adherence with cultural protocols.

Governance for the Long Term Vision and Plan

The Long Term Vision and Plan is a partnership between Parliament and the Government of Canada. Parliament, represented by administrations in the Senate, House of Commons, Library of Parliament and the Parliamentary Protective Service, leads the engagement on parliamentary requirements within their respective organizations and through established parliamentary committees. The Government of Canada, represented by Public Services and Procurement Canada, is the federal steward of the buildings and grounds in the Parliamentary Precinct and leads on the financial management, planning and delivery of the Long Term Vision and Plan (LTVP) based on Parliament’s established functional requirements. This split in accountability for the LTVP brings with it a degree of risk in decision making that is managed through governance structures at the administrative levels between Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) and the parliamentary administrations, as well as through engagement with separate sub-committees of the House of Commons’ Board of Internal Economy and the Senate’s Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration.

Document navigation for "The Long Term Vision and Plan for the Parliamentary Precinct: Annual Report 2021 to 2022"

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