Rehabilitating the Centre Block
The Centre Block is one of Canada's most recognized and iconic buildings. Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) is the department responsible for managing the building for the Government of Canada. Our ongoing work ensures that the Centre Block honours Canada's past and provides a legacy for the nation's future.
Rehabilitation project
Rehabilitating the Centre Block will be PWGSC's largest and most complex heritage rehabilitation project ever. The building suffers from crumbling mortar, aging water pipes and outdated mechanical, electrical and safety systems. It also suffers from technology and security demands that have outgrown the nearly century-old building.
We expect it will take about 10 years to fully restore and modernize it inside and out.
The project is expected to begin in 2018. Requests for Qualification were launched in July 2015 to enable firms to prequalify for this large-scale project. PWGSC sought input from the pre-qualified firms. This is one way PWGSC, using this Smart Procurement, can reduce timelines and get value for money.
While the Centre Block is closed, the newly built West Block courtyard will serve as the home of the interim House of Commons Chamber, As well, the Government Conference Centre will serve as the interim Chamber of the Senate. This is not the first time the Chamber has temporarily moved. After the fire in 1916, the amphitheatre of what is now the Canadian Museum of Nature in Ottawa was converted into a short-term House of Commons Chamber.
Learn more about rehabilitating the West Block and the Government Conference Centre and office accommodation.
Until this major project begins, we are working on the sections where there is a more immediate need: the east pavilion and the ventilation towers. Age, wind and rain exposure, water infiltration and the freeze-thaw cycle have damaged these structures.
We are currently working to:
- restore the stone masonry
- reinforce the building's structural integrity for earthquakes
- stabilize and rehabilitate the windows and the louvers (permanent blinds)
- replace the roofing
- replace the stained glass in the House of Commons Chamber
We are also exploring how best to protect artifacts, such as marble floors, chandeliers, carved doors and stained glass windows, so they will not be damaged during the project.
Rehabilitation details
- Scope: A rehabilitation of the building's ventilation towers and East Pavilion as well as stabilization of the West Pavilion
- Project status: Work on the ventilation towers is underway and is expected to be completed in 2016. The contract for the East Pavilion's general contractor was awarded in the summer of 2014. Work on the West Pavilion is underway
- Ventilation Towers project contract: Awarded to Atwill-Morin (Ontario) Inc. (Consult the contract history: contract number EP748-141813/001/FG)
- East Pavilion project contract: Archived - Request for Proposal
- Estimated job opportunities: The 2 projects noted above will create or sustain approximately 290 private-sector jobs
- Centre Block major rehabilitation contracts: Requests for Qualification (RFQ) were launched to enable firms to pre-qualify. View the Requests for Qualification for the prime consultant and the Requests for Qualification for construction management
More information
- Explore the Centre Block
- Learn more about how parliamentary buildings are rehabilitated
- Learn about the construction of the Visitor Welcome Centre and how it will connect the Centre Block, the West Block and the East Block