January 1 to March 31, 2025: Quarterly progress report update on the Centre Block project
We’re restoring and modernizing the Centre Block. We’re also designing and building the Parliament Welcome Centre (PWC). It's the largest and most complex heritage rehabilitation ever seen in Canada. We estimate the cost to be between $4.5 billion and $5 billion. We aim to complete construction between 2030 and 2031. The Centre Block will reopen about 1 year later. This will allow Parliament to do testing and get the building ready for operations.
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Project health
The following graph provides an overview of the project health based on approved cost, scope, and schedule, each ranging from 0 (low impact of affecting the project) to 10 (high impact of affecting the project), within the quarterly reporting period. The Long Term Vision and Plan annual reports provide an assessment of the overall project health.
Text version for project health graph
Project health is represented by 3 elements: scope, cost and schedule. Each element’s status ranges from 0 to 10, where:
- 0 to 4 represents the project progressing in line with the planned approved cost, scope and schedule within the reporting period
- 5 to 8 represents the project progressing but experiencing challenges that may impact the cost, scope and schedule within the reporting period
- 9 to 10 represents the project progressing but experiencing challenges that have a high likelihood of impacting the cost, scope and schedule within the reporting period
Current status:
- Overall, the project is progressing in line with the planned approved cost, scope and schedule with a rating of 5
- Scope is in line with the planned approved scope with a rating of 1
- Cost is in line with the planned approved cost at a rating of 2
- Schedule is in line with the planned approved schedule with a rating of 7
Construction progress
Current construction activities for the Centre Block project.
Parliament Welcome Centre
During this period, we continue to make progress building the new structure on the west side of the site. To support this work, 2 new cranes were installed.
Status: On track
Main excavation: Complete
Geo-exchange wells: Complete
Structural build: Ongoing
Centre Block: Interior
Work continues on the drilling of support posts in the basement and other site preparations to stabilize the building before we excavate. We’re on track to start excavating the basement levels in spring 2025, starting with the west courtyard.
For the structural upgrades on the upper levels, temporary bracing is being installed to ensure that the building remains stable before the rebuild of the concrete slabs.
Basement support posts: 95% complete
Structural rebuild: Ongoing
Centre Block: Exterior
Stonemasons continue to work on the east and west facades. On the west side, work has started on rebuilding the sloped (mansard) roof, beginning with the removal of the old copper.
A large portion of the scaffold in the east courtyard was erected this period and is on track to be completed in spring 2025. This scaffold will be used to support the roof enclosure and masonry repairs in the courtyard.
Status: On track
Overall completion: About 20% complete
East façade: 52% complete
West façade: 42% complete
North façade: Complete
Cost update
Spending to date on the Centre Block project is about $1.170 billion.
The overall budget was established based on a cost report completed in 2021. The report was provided by an independent consultant who validated the method we used to establish cost for the construction.
Centre Block project due diligence report: Cost report
Dollars spent against dollars budgeted (in billions of dollars)
Financial data as of March 14, 2025
Text version of Dollars spent against dollars budgeted graph
| Spent to date | Budget | |
|---|---|---|
| Centre Block and Parliament Welcome Centre | $1,170,000,000 | $4,500,000,000 to $5,000,000,000 |
Note: Please refer to the Long Term Vision and Plan annual report for expenditures related to the overall project
The Long Term Vision and Plan for the Parliamentary Precinct: Annual reports
Key milestones
The following timeline illustrates the major milestones we are working on this year.
Checkmark= Completed; Circle= In progress
2021
Spring
- Completed: Approve cost, scope and schedule
2022
Spring
- Completed: Finalize schematic design
Summer
- Completed: Obtain federal land use approval of schematic design
- Completed: Begin installing structural support to excavate the basement
Fall
- Completed: Begin conserving heritage assets
- Completed: Begin detailed excavation for the Parliament Welcome Centre (PWC)
- Completed: Complete masonry repairs on the north wall façade
2023
Winter
- Completed: Begin drilling geo-exchange wells for the PWC
- Completed: Begin installing temporary posts to support the basement excavation
- Completed: Begin scaffolding work on the east façade
- Completed: Complete main excavation for the PWC
Spring
- Completed: Begin repairing masonry on the east façade
- Completed: Begin removing and replacing the structural floor slab on level 1
- Completed: Install decorative tarps on the east façade
- Completed: Obtain federal land use approval of the landscape design
Summer
- Completed: Begin restoring the 22 carillon bells and keyboard that were transported to the Netherlands
- Completed: Begin scaffolding work on the west façade
- Completed: Complete the drilling of geo-exchange wells south of the PWC (accounts for about 45% of the wells)
- Completed: Complete the demolition and abatement of the Senate Chamber and dining room
- Completed: Excavate for the future connection to phase 1 of the Visitor Welcome Centre
Fall
- Completed: Begin excavation for the northeast section of the PWC
- Completed: Begin repairing the masonry on the west façade
- Completed: Install decorative tarps on the west façade
- Completed: Substantially complete the demolition and abatement
- Completed: Start the contracting process for elevators and escalators for both buildings
- Completed: Complete the 50% design development for the landscape
- Completed: Restore 50% of the stained glass windows
2024
Spring
- Completed: Started the contracting process for the Centre Block’s replica windows
- Completed: Completed 20% of the 100% target of temporary concrete shear walls to support the Centre Block during excavation work
- Completed: Completed 20% of the 25% target of the level 1 concrete slab rebuilding
- Completed: Started the contracting process for the new Parliament Welcome Centre’s structural build scope
Summer
- Completed: Completed west façade and west courtyard scaffolding, which will be used to support exterior work and the rebuilding of the sloped (mansard) roof
- Completed: Started structural work on levels 1 to 6 of the Centre Block
- Completed: Completed about 25% of the level 1 concrete slab rebuilding
Fall
- Completed: Completed construction documents for the Centre Block’s sloped (mansard) roof
- Completed: Completed the remaining temporary concrete shear walls to support the Centre Block during excavation work
- Completed: Completed about 30% of the 40% of the level 1 concrete slab rebuilding
- Completed: Started the structural build of the Parliament Welcome Centre
2025
Winter
- Completed: Completed the 100% of the design development for the landscape
- Completed: Completed 95% of targeted 100% in the drilling of support posts in the Centre Block basement
- Completed: Completed the restoration of the 22 carillon bells
- Completed: Completed about 33% of targeted 50% of the level 1 concrete slab rebuild
- Completed: Started rebuilding the sloped (mansard) roof, starting on the west side
- Completed: Installed the second tower crane in the middle of the PWC excavation site
Spring
- In progress: Begin excavating the Centre Block basement levels, starting in the west courtyard
- In progress: Complete scaffolding in the east courtyard, which will support exterior work and the rebuilding of the sloped (mansard) roof
- In progress: Start building scaffolding on the south façade
- In progress: Complete Centre Block and Parliament Welcome Centre design engagements and finalize decisions to complete the design development in fall 2025
- In progress: Start construction of a new underground duct bank across the front lawn to relocate and upgrade existing infrastructure for future Parliament Hill use (to avoid disruptions during busy summer periods, this work will be done in phases, starting from the west side)
- In progress: Install the third tower crane on the east side of the PWC excavation site to support the ongoing construction
Summer
- In progress: Start restoring the fresco paintings for future reinstatement in the Leader of the Opposition’s office
- In progress: Begin restoring heritage woodwork from the Pearson Special Heritage rooms
- In progress: Start restoring heritage marble flooring and wainscotting
- In progress: Finish removing the copper roof on the northwest side
- In progress: Demolish 4 of the 6 elevator penthouses in preparation for rebuilding
- In progress: Begin transferring the building’s weight onto structural posts to prepare for excavation starting on the east side
- In progress: Complete approximately 50% of the basement footings and level 2 concrete slab of the PWC
Fall
- In progress: Finalize design development for the Centre Block and PWC
- In progress: Begin excavating the Centre Block basement levels on the east courtyard side
- In progress: Complete approximately 75% of the basement level 2 concrete slab of the PWC
- In progress: Finish drilling 100% of the support posts in the Centre Block basement
- In progress: Substantially complete exterior masonry restoration on the west and east facades
- In progress: Begin pouring new concrete slabs on levels 5 and 6
- In progress: Remove about 15% of the roof in preparation for rebuilding
2030 to 2031
- In progress: Complete main construction
Project spotlight
Each quarter, we highlight an element of work being done on the Centre Block project.
Ribbon Plateau Pathway
The Ribbon Plateau Pathway will guide visitors around the Centre Block. Inspired by the fluid movement of a river, the pathway will feature a curving low wall that dips and weaves like water, creating a dynamic and immersive experience.
Seating will be seamlessly integrated into this wall, fostering a gathering space that’s accessible and inclusive for all visitors. Just as the Centre Block has told Canada’s Parliamentary stories, the wall will create a new canvas for future decorative and commemorative elements, providing opportunities for continuing to tell Canada’s Parliamentary story.
The Ribbon Plateau Pathway will accentuate views of the scenic Ottawa River landscape and will also tie together the surrounding monuments on Parliament Hill, to create a fulsome experience for all visitors. This landscape feature is one of the many diverse ways the new landscape design will enhance the connection between people and this symbolic place.
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