Restoring our heritage, preserving your trust
November 2012
Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) is committed to preserving the historic buildings of the Parliamentary Precinct—architectural treasures and national symbols of Canada—for future generations.
In doing so, we are also committed to demonstrating accountability by ensuring results and value for taxpayers. To that end, we can report that there have been no increases to the approved budgets for Parliamentary Precinct projects.
We are proud of our track record: since PWGSC announced the Long Term Vision and Plan for restoring the Parliamentary Precinct in 2007, we have completed 15 major projects—all on time and on budget. To guarantee the integrity of our operations, since June 2010, we have engaged the services of an independent third-party fairness monitor to review all major procurements undertaken on Parliament Hill.
In 2010 the Auditor General of Canada recognized the strong results in project management and project delivery being demonstrated in the ongoing restoration of the Parliamentary Precinct.
To ensure that we achieve meaningful results in a fiscally responsible manner, we are committing funds in carefully managed five-year cycles and reporting cost estimates to Canadians as these numbers become available.
The work that we are doing is crucial: because of their age, many of the buildings in the Parliamentary Precinct are in need of rehabilitation due to the extent of their deterioration. Left unrepaired, these buildings pose serious health and safety risks to parliamentarians, employees, and visitors alike.
To date, we have restored the Library of Parliament, built a food production facility, constructed meeting space in the Rideau Committee Rooms, and found a new home for parliamentarians in the La Promenade Building. We are also continuing to repair the Wellington Building, the Sir John A. Macdonald Building, the East Block, and the West Block.
This last project—the restoration of the West Block—has drawn a lot of attention, which is not surprising given the building's heritage value and the important role it plays in life on Parliament Hill. This project—which remains on track to be completed in 2017—includes demolition work; removal of hazardous materials; seismic upgrades; restoration of masonry; replacement of electrical, mechanical, information technology and security systems; and interior renovations.
Included in the recently released Public Accounts estimates for this project are the previously announced costs associated with renovating the Sir John A. Macdonald Building (former Bank of Montreal building), which will permanently house the ceremonial room and associated functions formerly located in the West Block. Given the close link between these two projects, we have packaged these costs together for greater clarity.
It is important to note that the estimated costs indicated in the Public Accounts for Parliamentary Precinct projects are updated annually to include projects that are underway, as well as newly approved projects. Discrepancies do not mean that projects are over budget or behind schedule; on the contrary, projects are on time and on budget.
We are committed to providing our services in a manner that meets the highest ethical standards, and will continue to operate fairly, openly, and transparently.
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