Ambitious Centre Block renovation project nearly ready to enter the rebuilding phase

By David Baxter, The Canadian Press on November 14, 2024.

A photographer takes photos of the House of Commons during a tour of work being completed to Centre Block, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

OTTAWA – The major restoration of Parliament’s Centre Block is nearly ready to enter the rebuilding phase now that the demolition, primary excavation and abatement phase is complete.

The renovation is estimated to cost between $4.5 billion and $5 billion, including building a brand new visitor centre.

Workers are currently installing hundreds of steel supports to hold up the building while the renovations are completed.

More precise excavation has begun to carve out rock and earth around the foundation of the Peace Tower to make way for the future visitor centre.

All heritage items have been removed from the building for safe keeping and restoration work where needed.

Once work is complete in 2030 or 2031, the new Centre Block is expected to be a fully accessible parliament with a new IT backbone built in behind the familiar heritage facade.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 14, 2024