Question Period Note: Status of the Long Term Vision and Plan for the Parliamentary Precinct

Public Services and Procurement Canada is implementing the Long Term Vision and Plan – a multi-decade strategy to restore and modernize the Parliamentary Precinct. The core of the Parliamentary Precinct includes the grounds and buildings on Parliament Hill and the three city blocks directly facing it.

The Department is also supporting Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada to develop a national space for Indigenous Peoples within the Parliamentary Precinct. The project includes the re-development of the former United Stated Embassy (located at 100 Wellington Street), the CIBC building (located at 119 Sparks Street) and an infill space between the two buildings.

Note: Questions related to the Indigenous Peoples’ Space (100 Wellington) should be directed to the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs as the overall lead for the Indigenous Peoples’ Space

• Public Services and Procurement Canada is restoring the Parliamentary Precinct for future generations of Canadians, and making it more modern, safer, greener and more accessible. We are working with Parliament to ensure that their requirements are being met
  • Work continues to restore and modernize the Centre Block, the largest and most complex heritage rehabilitation project in Canada’s history
  • In addition, in partnership with Parliament, Public Services and Procurement Canada successfully completed an architectural design competition for the redevelopment of Block 2 and awarded a contract to the laureate in May 2023. Construction activities are targeted to begin in late 2024

If pressed on the Centre Block’s dedicated rooms:

• As part of the Centre Block and Parliament Welcome Centre designs, accessible dedicated spaces to meet Parliament’s requirements include 7 quiet rooms that could be used for quiet reflection. There is also a dedicated family room for parliamentarians
• In addition, to accommodate smudging and qulliq practices, a shared Indigenous-inspired space is included as part of the Centre Block design
• Parliament determines their functional requirements which are then endorsed by the House of Commons’ Board of Internal Economy and the Senate’s Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration. Both committees are supported by governance structures composed of members of Parliament and senators

If pressed on the Centre Block Rehabilitation Program:

• The project continues to advance within estimated costs and schedule. The schematic design for the Centre Block and Parliament Welcome Centre has been finalized and major construction activities are well underway
• The main excavation work for the new Parliament Welcome Centre is completed and the interior demolition and removal of hazardous materials is over 95% completed
• The Centre Block will be transformed from one of the worst performing facilities in the Public Services and Procurement Canada portfolio, from an energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions perspective, to a net zero carbon emissions building

If pressed on the Auditor General’s Report 3 – Rehabilitation of Parliament’s Centre Block:

• In March 2023, the Auditor General of Canada published an audit on the Centre Block Rehabilitation Program and I was encouraged by her positive observations on the management of this historic project
• The Audit found that Public Services and Procurement Canada has successfully managed cost and scope of the project and kept work within targeted timelines despite challenges brought on by the pandemic. It also recognizes our effort to collaborate with stakeholders, including Parliamentarians, Indigenous partners and experts
• Public Services and Procurement Canada accepted all the recommendations, which build on the department’s existing efforts. The first semi-annual update was submitted to Parliamentary administrations in October 2023, and we are positioned to deliver on the other two recommendations within the calendar year

If pressed on the Semi-Annual Update to Parliament:

• In response to the recommendation from the Auditor General of Canada in her March 2023 Report on the Rehabilitation of Centre Block, my department submitted in October 2023 the first progress update to the Speakers of the Senate of Canada and the House of Commons
• This semi-annual update will be submitted twice a year and will highlight risks, significant changes, and key decisions required over the coming session to strengthen governance and the decision-making process

If pressed on the redevelopment of Block 2:

• The redevelopment of Block 2 will transform a mix of functionally obsolete heritage buildings and two vacant lots into a modern, sustainable and accessible facility to meet the needs of a 21st century Parliament
• The design contract was awarded to the winner of the Block 2 Design Competition, Zeidler Architecture, in May 2023. In August 2023, my department launched the request for proposal process to procure construction management services for this project and the bidding period closed in October
• Next steps include establishing detailed requirements with Parliament to create a baseline project budget and begin construction

If pressed on Parliamentary Engagement, Governance and Key Decisions:

• Public Services and Procurement Canada works with Parliament to plan and deliver the Long Term Vision and Plan
• As part of this collaborative process, each House of Parliament is responsible for establishing project requirements and priorities to support their parliamentary operations
• Public Services and Procurement Canada continues to work with Parliament to ensure these requirements are being met in a manner that preserves our heritage and ensures value for money

If pressed on Wellington Street :

• As committed to in March 2023, my department has launched discussions with the City of Ottawa on acquiring Wellington Street as a critical first step to addressing longstanding security challenges in the Parliamentary Precinct
• Through this collaborative engagement, we aim to create a plan for Wellington Street that preserves the Parliamentary Precinct as a safe, open and accessible place in a manner that works for local residents, supports vibrant business activity and creates an improved visitor experience in the capital

If pressed on the Indigenous Peoples Space (100 Wellington And 119 Sparks):

• Public Services and Procurement Canada continues to support Crown Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada and Indigenous partners in developing a national space for Indigenous Peoples’ in the Parliamentary Precinct
• As the overall lead for the Indigenous Peoples’ Space, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Norther Affairs Canada is best positioned to answer questions on the status of a dedicated space for the Algonquin people

If pressed on parking garage:

• As requested by Parliament, the current landscape design for the Centre Block includes 109 surface parking spots, and includes no underground parking
• In an effort to balance parliamentary requirements and heritage considerations, my officials developed a suite of options for Parliament’s consideration, including incorporating parking in a planned underground material handling facility which was ultimately not approved
• We will continue to work hand-in-hand with Parliament to find solutions that support parliamentary operations, preserve Parliament Hill’s heritage landscape and are financially sound

The Long Term Vision and Plan was first approved in 2001 and updated in 2006 for the restoration and modernization of Canada’s Parliamentary Precinct. This program supports the mandate commitment of advancing work to rehabilitate and reinvigorate places and buildings of national significance. All major projects continue to track on time and budget.

In 2017, the Long Term Vision and Plan began shifting from a building-by-building strategy to a campus-based approach. Approved by all Parliamentary Partners, this approach takes into consideration important and interconnected elements including security, the visitor experience, urban design and the landscape, material handling, the movement of people and vehicles, environmental sustainability, and accessibility. The Long Term Vision and Plan is currently undergoing a second update to transform the Precinct into an integrated campus beyond Parliament Hill which will be ready for consideration by Parliament and Government in winter 2024.

With a goal of reaching of 5% of procurement with Indigenous businesses, Public Services and Procurement Canada has established agreements with organizations, such as the National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association, the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business, the Council for the Advancement of Native Development Officers, the Aboriginal Apprenticeship Board of Ontario and the Anishinabeg Algonquin Nation Tribal Council to assist with fulfilling that target as it pertains to the Parliamentary Precinct.

The restored West Block and Senate of Canada Building and the new Parliament Welcome Centre (Phase 1), were transferred to Parliament in fall 2018. These projects followed the completion of the 21 key projects since the Library of Parliament in 2006, including the 180 Wellington Building (2016) and the Sir John A Macdonald Building (2015).

• Public Services and Procurement Canada has invested approximately $4.9 billion in the Parliamentary Precinct to date. This has created approximately 70,000 jobs (person-years of employment) to date
  • Over 200 projects have been completed, including 26 major projects such as West Block, Wellington Building and the Senate of Canada Building
  • The Centre Block Rehabilitation Program remains on track to complete main construction in the 2030-31 timeframe and within the estimated $4.5 to 5 billion budget
  • $5.5 million has been awarded to Indigenous businesses through the Centre Block Rehabilitation Program
  • The Parliamentary Precinct Greenhouse Gas Emissions have already been reduced by 63% below 2005 levels and are on track to meet net zero carbon targets