July 1 to September 30, 2022: Quarterly progress report on the Centre Block project
We are restoring and modernizing the Centre Block. We are also designing and building the Parliament Welcome Centre. It is 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 re-open 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 4
- Scope is in line with the planned approved scope with a rating of 1
- Cost is in line with the planned approved cost at rating of 1
- Schedule is in line with the planned approved schedule with a rating of 6
Stabilizing the Centre Block to excavate under the building is a complex undertaking. We need to excavate under the Centre Block to install the base isolation that will protect the building from earthquakes. This excavation will also connect the Parliament Welcome Centre and Centre Block. We are now working with our industry partners and engaging with additional experts to determine the best approach, while factoring in cost and schedule.
Construction progress
Current construction activities for the Centre Block project.
Excavation of the Parliament Welcome Centre
In spring 2020, excavation of the new Parliament Welcome Centre began. To date, about 32,000 truckloads of bedrock have been removed.
How we are excavating to build the Parliament Welcome Centre
Status: On track
Completion: about 75% complete
Demolition and abatement
Demolition and abatement activities inside the Centre Block are well underway. Demolition and abatement activities only begin once heritage features are either carefully removed or protected in place. To date, about 9 million kilograms (20 million pounds) of hazardous materials have been removed.
Preparing the interior of the building
Status: On track
Completion: about 75% complete
Masonry conservation
We are restoring and repairing the masonry exterior of the Centre Block as well as making progress on the north façade.
Preparing the exterior of the building
Status: On track
Overall completion: about 7% complete
North façade completion: about 30% complete
Cost update
Spending to date on the Centre Block project is at about $452 million.
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.
Dollars spent against dollars budgeted (in billions of dollars)
Financial data as of September 15, 2022.
Text version of Dollars spent against dollars budgeted graph
| Spent to date | Budget | |
|---|---|---|
| Centre Block and Parliament Welcome Centre |
$452,000,000 | $4,500,000,000 to $5,000,000,000 |
Note: Please refer to the Long Term Vision and Plan annual reports for expenditures related to the overall project
The Long Term Vision and Plan for the Parliamentary Precinct: Annual Reports
Key milestones
The timeline below illustrates the major milestones we are working on this year. The next milestone is receiving approval from the National Capital Commission for the land use.
Text version of key milestones
June 2021
- Approve cost, scope and schedule
2022
- Remove carillon bells (complete)
- Finalize schematic design (complete)
- Install the "trompe l’oeil" decorative tarps on the north façade (complete)
- Begin removing the floor on level 1 (complete)
- Obtain federal land use approval of the design
- Begin structural support to excavate the basement
- Begin conserving heritage assets (complete)
- Start scaffolding work on the east and west façades
- Complete the main excavation for the Parliament Welcome Centre
2023
- Drill to install geothermal piping
- Complete the demolition and abatement
- Start building the main concrete structure for the Parliament Welcome Centre
2030 to 2031
- Complete main construction
Project spotlight
Each quarter, we highlight an element of work being done on the Centre Block or Parliament Welcome Centre.
Stained Glass
There were a total of 190 stained glass windows throughout Centre Block. This includes those from the:
- House of Commons Chamber
- Memorial Chamber
- Senate Foyer
These precious heritage pieces have now been carefully removed from the building. They are being preserved and restored to their original beauty by expert conservators. The specialists are carefully documenting each step of the process and replacing only what is needed to preserve as much of the original window as possible. This project presents a unique and rare opportunity to carry out this type of work. The work will ensure that Canadians can continue to enjoy these beautiful windows for generations to come.
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