The Future

The original transformation of Parliament Hill into a seat of government was an outstanding achievement. It is an inheritance received by each generation and passed on to the next. Our generation must do its part to preserve and enhance that legacy. There are cracks in the edifice. There are weaknesses in the supporting infrastructure. There are pressures and demands that the original designers could never have imagined. We must contribute our own experience and know-how to the work of the architects, designers and craftspeople who came before us.

We cannot afford to let this central symbol of Canadian nationhood slip away. It is our duty to our ancestors, our children, and ourselves to take substantial measures to restore this special domain with its magnificent architectural heritage. We must act boldly, to restore its historic and functional integrity. If we fail, Canadians will wonder what value we have assigned to one of our critical sources of collective identity.

The measures we must take are many, but they are interrelated. They all flow from a vision that is similar to the vision of those who created this special site in the middle of the 19th Century. That vision was a special place, a sacred ground to provide a complete and integrated setting for our central institutions of Parliamentary democracy. That vision requires repairing the damage to existing components of the site, embracing new functional requirements in ways that are sensitive to its historic character, and adding new components that will fulfill the site's ability to be a complete and welcoming home for all core Parliamentary functions.

The members of the Parliamentary Buildings Advisory Council have reviewed the Long-Term Vision and Plan prepared by the Department of Public Works and Government Services. Based on our review and our consultations with stakeholders, we are prepared to make recommendations to the Minister and to all the people of Canada who have a vested interest in the integrity and the future of the buildings of Parliament.

The PWGSC 'Vision' report identifies three options for new accommodation within the Parliamentary Precinct. While all three options include a new building at the corner of Bank and Wellington Streets (on land that is currently vacant), and infill (additions) to existing buildings, they differ on where offices and Committee rooms for the Senate and House of Commons should be located.

We acknowledge that the entire process of restoring and modernizing the buildings of Parliament will take more than 20 years to complete. The members of the Council believe that Option C is the most desirable, and recommend that appropriate authority be sought by the Minister to commence the activities required by this option.

Essentially, Option C would create 28,000 square metres of new floor space. A new building to be constructed at Bank and Wellington Streets would be used for House of Commons Committee rooms and Senate offices. The House of Commons would use the infill between the Confederation and Justice buildings for new parliamentary accommodations. The East Block infill would be used for new Committee rooms for the Senate and the temporary Senate chamber².

*Studies identify that the Centre Block as the building in the most critical need of repair, and at the same time the building in the Precinct that supports the most important functions - the two Chambers, as well as com-mittee rooms and offices for both the Senate and the House. As a result, the Centre Block cannot be vacated for renovation until alternate locations are found for these functions. As such, renovation of other buildings and new construction has to be done prior to closure of the Centre Block. Engineering studies indicate that the Centre Block - while in poor repair - can continue in operation for the 10-12 years it will take to complete projects that must proceed first. It should be noted that the costs of operating and maintaining the building will be higher, due to its deteriorated condition.

**Preplanning includes expenditures occurring during the phase, but related to projects which will be implemented in subsequent phases.³

Taking into account the expressed needs of stakeholders and health and safety concerns necessary for responsible risk management, as well as the independent advice of outside consultants on the costs involved, the Advisory Council believes that the Government should focus on the first seven-year phase of recommended renovation and construction projects. Due to the magnitude of these projects and the long time frames involved, we suggest that PWGSC implement and keep current a fully comprehensive cost management system allowing for public accountability throughout the process.

We are already on record as favouring early action on the renovation plan for the Library of Parliament. The Council recommends that Implementation Scenario 1 for Option C be pursued. This scenario responds to the House of Commons' first priority to have a new permanent Committee room building. That would be accomplished by construction of the required building on Bank Street. This scenario would, however, delay the West Block renovation until completion of the new Committee room structure. Having studied the various cost scenarios, we believe that the costs of additional temporary Committee rooms cannot be justified. The projected cost of all required work is about $591 million over the seven years. This cost encompasses landscape and associated work that would be carried out in conjunction with the renovation and construction projects that take place.

The Long Term Vision developed by the Department of Public Works and Government Services is built (to use the Department's words) on a delicate balance of varied and at times competing objectives. The balance can only be achieved through open communications with all stakeholders, rigorous planning and analysis, creative and sensitive urban design and a commitment to periodic and timely review of the requirements and strategies to achieve them. ⁴

The Parliamentary Buildings Advisory Council shares the vision expressed in the important report of Public Works - that after twenty years of productive collaboration we will have achieved all that we set out to accomplish at the beginning of the journey:

• Safe, efficient and secure work environments for Parliamentarians;
• Much improved facilities to accommodate public hearings, Committee deliberations, and national forums;
• Excellent services within the Precinct for Canadian and foreign visitors; and, above all,
• The preservation and enhancement of the symbolic presence of the Parliamentary Precinct for us all. ⁵

Not included in the specific details of the various options articulated by PWGSC is the need for a Visitors' Centre. The issue remains unresolved but we consider that the need for such a centre is real. Accordingly we wish to go on record as supporting the need for a Visitors' Centre and suggest that the National Capital Commission be requested to take the lead on finding a solution to its future. Ideally, the Visitors' Centre should be situated at the front of the Parliamentary Precinct, on Wellington Street, adjacent to the Portrait Gallery.

2. The Long Term Vision... PWGSC, p. 34-35
3. The Long Term Vision... PWGSC, p. IV.
4. Ibid., p. 44.
5. Loc.Cit.