Executive summary—The Long Term Vision and Plan Annual Report 2015 to 2016
About the Long Term Vision and Plan
The Long Term Vision and Plan (LTVP) is a comprehensive strategy to renew the Parliamentary Precinct by:
- modernizing accommodations, while preserving the heritage character of the buildings
- restoring and renewing these iconic heritage buildings, while ensuring that the investments are made responsibly and provide good value and benefits for Canadians
- creating a safe and secure place to work, while ensuring that Parliament remains open and accessible for business and visitors
The LTVP sets out clear objectives and priorities, provides detailed planning and design guidance and establishes a practical framework for implementation. Rolling five-year programs of work establish shorter-term implementation objectives in the context of the longer-term vision.
The Minister of Public Services and Procurement (PSP) is the official custodian of the Parliament Buildings and grounds. In 2008, the Department created the Parliamentary Precinct Branch (PPB) to provide a single point of service delivery to the Parliament of Canada. In delivering the LTVP, PPB works closely with its Parliamentary Partners—the Senate of Canada, the House of Commons, the Library of Parliament and the recently formed Parliamentary Protective Service—to identify parliamentary requirements and deliver a complex scope of work.
To ensure that work is coordinated and integrated, PPB has established the following programs for the delivery of projects:
- Major capital program (MCP)
- Recapitalization program (RECAP)
- Building Components and Connectivity (BCC) program
- Planning program
As the LTVP program advances, broader benefits are also realized, including:
- progressive sustainability and energy-efficiency in buildings throughout the Precinct
- significant direct and indirect job creation in small, medium and large companies across the country
- a more efficient and accessible Parliament through modernized technology and communications systems
- a safer and more secure environment for parliamentarians, staff and visitors
- advancement of innovative research and technology in the restoration and management of complex heritage facilities through key academic and private-sector partnerships
Fiscal year highlights
Total LTVP expenditures for fiscal year 2015 to 2016 were $387.8 million, an increase of 9.0% over fiscal year 2014 to 2015. This upward trend which began in 2010 reflects the increasing maturity of the LTVP program and the concentration of large-scale rehabilitation and construction work currently underway in the Precinct with many projects at peak implementation. Major capital program expenditures accounted for 84.5% of total LTVP expenditures, again reflecting the scale and concentration of major projects currently underway.
Fiscal year 2015 to 2016 was a year of solid progress for all LTVP programs. MCP and the BCC program achieved 100% on time, on budget and on scope overall, and the RECAP Program achieved 88% overall for the year.
Key MCP achievements in fiscal year 2015 to 2016 were:
- the substantial completion of the Wellington Building (ready for operations in the fall of 2016) to support the accommodation requirements of the House of Commons during the rehabilitation of the Centre Block
- significant progress on the West Block—which is to be used by the House of Commons during the rehabilitation of the Centre Block—to 72% completion with the construction of the courtyard infill underway
- the advancement to 54% of phase 1 of the Visitor Welcome Centre project which is being undertaken to provide modern security screening to the Parliament Buildings and to enhance the overall visitor experience
- the advancement to 31% completion of the rehabilitation of the Government Conference Centre to provide interim accommodation space for the Senate during the Centre Block rehabilitation
- the preparation of background studies and the advancement of the procurement process for Centre Block in preparation for the full rehabilitation to begin in 2018
In fiscal year 2015 to 2016, key RECAP achievements were:
- modifications to the House of Commons Chamber to meet the requirement to accommodate 30 additional Members of Parliament in accordance with the Fair Representation Act
- the removal and preservation of six stained glass windows in the House of Commons Chamber to maintain the integrity of treasured heritage assets
- upgrades to electrical system components reaching the end of their useful life at the Confederation Building to ensure the building remains safe and serviceable
- significant progress on the rehabilitation of the envelope of the Centre Block ventilation towers and of the windows at the Confederation Building to fix exterior asset integrity issues
BCC is currently undertaking a series of precinct-wide communication and connectivity projects, all of which advanced on target in fiscal year 2015 to 2016, including:
- upgrading and modernizing computer networking and internet technologies as well as the deployment of Wi-Fi throughout the Precinct
- upgrading the existing radio communication system and the integrated security systems
- building redundant cabling pathways on Parliament Hill to ensure uninterrupted connectivity within the Campus
Planning completed the exterior lighting master plan and advanced the emergency power master plan, the underground infrastructure master plan and the material management master plan.
Figure 1—Long Term Vision and Plan expenditures—Fiscal year 2015 to 2016 (in millions of dollars)
| Planned expenditures | $408.0 |
|---|---|
| Actual expenditures | $387.8 |
| Percentage spent | 95.0% |
Figure 2—Long Term Vision and Plan budget and expenditures by program—Fiscal year 2015 to 2016 (in millions of dollars)
Table equivalent of figure 2—Long Term Vision and Plan budget and expenditures by program—Fiscal year 2015 to 2016 (in millions of dollars)
| Program | Total expenditures | Total budget |
|---|---|---|
| Major capital program (MCP) | $328.0 | $346.6 |
| Recapitalization program (RECAP) | $23.6 | $23.8 |
| Building Components and Connectivity Program (BCC) | $23.1 | $19.5 |
| Planning program | $13.1 | $18.1 |
Note: The BCC program expenditures exceeded the planned annual budget as a result of the advancement of projects. Overall, the BCC program remained within project approval and expenditure authority.
The year ahead
Major LTVP advances will be made in fiscal year 2016 to 2017 leading up to the full rehabilitation of the Centre Block beginning in 2018.
The Wellington Building will be fully commissioned and occupied by the House of Commons and significant components of work will be completed on the West Block, including the courtyard infill structure and the north court structure. The roof and exterior masonry will be completed, and all of the windows will be installed.
All RECAP projects will be completed in fiscal year 2016 to 2017, as will all current Planning projects. Four of the current BCC projects will be completed in fiscal year 2016 to 2017, with two additional projects nearing completion. All programs will be taking on new projects as the next five-year program of work is implemented.
In 2017, when Canada marks the 150th anniversary of Confederation, Parliament Hill will be the focus of major national celebrations. PPB is working closely with stakeholders such as the National Capital Commission and the City of Ottawa to ensure the experience of this historical milestone remains enjoyable and memorable for both Canadians and visitors from abroad. Although projects will continue to progress, external construction activities will be scaled down to minimize their impact on the celebrations.