Speeches for The Honourable Michael M Fortier

Minister of Public Works and Government Services

Official Opening of Green Roof at 235 Queen Street
Tuesday, June 6, 2006
Ottawa

Check against Delivery

Good morning ladies and gentlemen.

I am very pleased to be here today, to officially open this new “green roof” in the heart of Ottawa’s downtown area.

It is in fact the only green roof of its type atop an office building in downtown Ottawa.

When departmental officials and the building owner, Tempest Management Corporation, first realized that the roof of this building needed to be replaced, it would have been easy to simply replace it with a standard roof.

But doing so would not have been enough.

They wanted to do something that not only helped preserve the building itself, but something that would reduce the building’s impact on the environment.

The shrubs and plants we see around us today seem like such simple things. Yet they have a tremendously positive impact on the environment.

For instance, they decrease energy use, by providing insulation and reducing the need to heat the building in the winter and cool it in the summer.

They reduce greenhouse gas and sulphur emissions, and improve air quality.

In addition to these and other environmental benefits, these trees and plants make the roof more attractive than typical rooftops and provide a wonderful terrace for the people working in the building to relax and enjoy.

I’m very happy and proud that departmental officials chose to create this green roof, rather than simply replacing the existing roof.

It was an important decision for the environment and for the people living in Ottawa.

This is the only green roof of its type atop an office building in downtown Ottawa and we hope that it will be an example to other building owners.

This roof will certainly be a model for future roof renovations at government office buildings and it is an important symbol of the new Conservative government’s commitment to greening its operations.

Everywhere across this country, Canadians are making efforts to act in a more environmentally friendly manner. It’s important that government does the same.

I’d like to congratulate the team that worked on this very successful project. We have representatives here from PWGSC; SNC-Lavalin-ProFac, the building manager; and Tempest Management Corporation, the building owner.

You did a fine job and you should be very proud of the results.

Thanks to all of you for being here to help open this green roof.

Have a good day.