Even through Centre Block’s shutdown and massive renovation project, McCrady keeps a steady hand on Parliament Hill’s bells
On a regular day, Dominion Carillonneur Andrea McCrady arrives at work at 8 a.m. She gears up, starting with her work boots, then puts on her orange reflective vest, her work helmet and goggles, and nowadays her mask, and heads out into the construction zone that is now the Centre Block building. Accompanied by a […]
Centre Block’s renovation of a century: inside the plans, possibilities, and priorities of the building’s overhaul
It’s been two years since MPs, Senators, and staff cleared out of Centre Block to allow for the building’s renovation. Now, interior demolition work is close to halfway complete, with exterior masonry restoration to begin in the new year, starting on the building’s north façade. “The history of Canada really resounds within this building, so […]
BOIE approves multiple plans for Centre Block’s renovation, including new glass enclosures
The House Board of Internal Economy recently green-lit a series of recommendations for the Centre Block building’s renovation, including an expansion of the lobbies into the western courtyard and an infill in the currently exposed space above the Hall of Honour. Covering over the open courtyard-like spaces, or light courts, in the Centre Block building […]
Centre Block renovation budget tops $655-million as post-holiday stonework nears
It’s been two years since the lights went out at Centre Block, and construction crews have been steadily and quietly chipping away at the renovations, despite the pandemic that has scuttled many carefully laid plans. A small group of journalists were invited, on Dec. 2, to tour the ongoing renovations inside Centre Block, where 40 per cent of the […]
MPs, Senators look to fill Centre Block’s courtyards in recent reno recommendations
Centre Block’s previously unused courtyards are likely to see new construction to provide more office space for Senators and larger House of Commons lobbies, following recent recommendations from the MP working group and Senate subcommittee charged with weighing in on renovation plans. The most recent recommendation from MPs still has to be approved and endorsed […]
A year after wrapping renovations, Indigenous space in 100 Wellington St. yet to open
One year after renovations were completed to ready the old U.S. Embassy at 100 Wellington St. for its new short-term use, featuring exhibits on Indigenous governance and history, the building still has yet to be opened to the public, The Hill Times has confirmed. “Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada [CIRNAC] and Public Services and […]
Demolition work well underway in the Centre Block
The renovation of Parliament Hill’s iconic building, the Centre Block, saw little impact from the outbreak of COVID-19, and demolition and abatement efforts are now well underway, particularly on the top floors, which are being stripped back to bare bones. Except for the official opposition leader’s office suites and the parliamentary restaurant, the fourth, fifth, […]
‘Six systemic crises’ confronting Canada, and politicians, policy-makers, health-care professionals need ‘systems thinking’ to tackle them, says public policy expert
Politicians, policy-makers, and health-care professionals have been too busy focusing on beating back the pandemic and trying to ensure Canadians are shielded from the worst of the economic fallout while there are six larger, systemic crises that have the potential to dwarf the trauma already experienced in this country if left unchecked, according to Irvin […]
Centre Block renovation estimates likely to land in new year, PSPC says work on track despite COVID-19
Cost estimates and timelines for the Centre Block building’s renovation, and for construction of the final phase of the underground parliamentary welcome centre, could finally come before MPs early in the new year, based on recent comments from the department charged with overseeing the project. MPs across party lines have repeatedly requested information on spending […]
Liberals ignoring promise for trade transparency as U.K. talks ‘commence,’ say critics
Opposition MPs say the Liberal government is ignoring an agreed-upon change that gives Parliamentarians more transparency over trade deals by not alerting the House of the start of trade negotiations with the United Kingdom after the top U.K. trade official said those talks have “commenced.” When the Liberal government was pushing for the rapid passage […]
