Visitor Welcome Centre approvals and engagement activities: Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs—February 27, 2020
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Key reports and approval points
The following outlines the chronology of key reports and approval points for the Visitor Welcome Centre.
1999
House of Commons: Building the future
In October 1999, the Speaker of the House of Commons submitted to the minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC), its requirements for planning and implementing the long-term renovation and development of the Parliamentary Precinct.
Page 54: The report noted that …space allocation and design to accommodate visitors to the precinct should provide an array of services and facilities to support the visiting public—including a visitors’ centre…
2000
Library of Parliament: Long term accommodation plan for the Library of Parliament, including visitor services on Parliament Hill
In April 2000, the parliamentary librarian, on behalf of the Library of Parliament, submitted its long term accommodation plan, including visitor services on Parliament Hill.
The report noted (page 30)…that the current Visitor Welcome Centre and Info-tent must be replaced by a new facility to be attached to the Centre Block, near the Peace Tower, and with easy access to both the East Block and West Block. The new centre will:
- provide a single, central point of access to the Parliament buildings
- have clearly visible signage to attract and guide visitors
- provide space for a welcoming kiosk, security services, ticketing, etc
2001
Public Works and Government Services Canada: A Legacy for future generations
In April 2001, PWGSC issued—The Long Term Vision and Plan for the Parliamentary Precinct—A Legacy for Future Generations.
The report presented 3 options (pages iii to v) to address the parliamentary partners requirements. The third option, was then subdivided in 2 scenarios as it was deemed to having the features most acceptable to the stakeholders.
The report noted (page 3 to 5) that with respect to the Visitor Welcome Centre (page 5) that ‘there is a long term need for a Visitor Centre, but this has been determined to be the responsibility of the National Capital Commission and, as such, does not form part of this Long Term Vision and Plan’.
Parliamentary Building Advisory Council: The Hill—Past, present, future
The Advisory Committee consisting of parliamentarians and a former Speaker provided its recommendation to the minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada on the future of the Parliamentary Precinct, based on the above noted report (A Legacy for Future Generations).
The committee recommended (page 13) that [Redacted] to proceed with plans for renovations and construction of buildings within the Parliamentary Precinct, in accordance with scenario 1 of option C of the above noted report—A Legacy for Future Generations’.
With respect to the Visitor Welcome Centre, the committee noted (page 13) that ‘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.’
2006
Public Works and Government Services Canada: Summary of accommodation requirements of the parliamentary partners and capacity analysis
[Redacted], PWGSC issued a report—Summary of Accommodation Requirements of the Parliamentary Partners and Capacity Analysis.
The requirements formed the basis of 2 additional studies by independent third parties noted below:
- development capacity / suitability study by DuToit, Allsopp, Hillier for the 2006 development update
- the Long Term Vision and Plan (LTVP) implementation strategy by Watson MacEwen Architects, 2006
As part of this exercise, the parliamentary partners’ requirements were adjusted for a number of reasons (see page 18 of report), including taking into account the inclusion of a Parliament Hill visitor centre in the LTVP.
The development plan provided the essential direction for a major multi-phase 25 year program to upgrade the deteriorated buildings and landscape, and add much needed accommodation for those national institutions which together form the Parliamentary and Judicial Precincts areas.
It included a demonstration in the form of plan drawings and digital models to assist in visualising the meaning and intention of the planning and design principles.
The plan provided (see page 44) for a Visitor Welcome Centre with pedestrian screening to be established adjacent to the Centre Block.
Independent third party: Report on Consultations with the Parliamentary Partners—Operational Requirements, Priorities and Implementation, Watson MacEwen
[Redacted], significant consultations were undertaken with the parliamentary partners to obtain revised accommodation requirements. In addition, independent studies by DuToit, Allsopp, Hillier, Watson MacEwen were completed to assess the impact of implementing the revised LTVP; including schedules and possible location of accommodations at each phases to ensure parliamentary functions are properly supported at all times.
The plan developed through consultations with the parliamentary partners provided for a new Visitor Welcome Centre. It noted (see pages 40 and 41)….’Similarly, the Visitor Welcome Centre is assumed to be implemented together with the Centre Block renovation, as its construction would require massive excavation and landscape reinstatement in the immediate vicinity of the Centre Block. While implementing this highly disruptive project could, with some difficulty, occur before Centre Block was renovated, it is not reasonable to implement it immediately after the Centre Block is renovated for pragmatic reasons. Ideally, it would be concurrent with the Centre Block renovation.’
2007
Cabinet, parliamentary partners and other key stakeholders: Building on a Solid Foundation (PDF)
Cabinet, the parliamentary partners and other key stakeholders such as the National Capital Commission and the Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office approved the revised Long Term Vision and Plan (LTVP) for the Parliamentary Precinct. Key to the revised LTVP is a new implementation framework that shifts from the then 2001 rigid 25-year master plan to rolling 5-year programs of work.
The Visitor Welcome Centre is a core component of the revised LTVP (see page 17 of Building on a Solid Foundation). [Redacted]
Phase 1 planning: Key events and engagement activities
The following provides an overview of key events and engagements with the preliminary partners that led to the approval of the Visitor Welcome Centre phase 1.
2009
House of Commons Board of Internal Economy
- PSPC provides an update on the LTVP to the Board of Internal Economy
- The Security and Visitor Services Facility was identified as being in the planning stage
2010
Senate of Canada Committee on Internal Economy, Budget and Administration
- PSPC provides an update on the LTVP to the Committee on Internal Economy, Budget and Administration
- The Visitor Welcome and screening facility was identified as a key security project to be implemented in phases
2012
Speaker of the House of Commons
- PSPC provided a briefing to the Speaker of the House of Commons on the LTVP
- The Visitor Welcome Centre was identified as being in planning stage, and as a new construction in front of the Centre Block, which will house a new security screening facility
Senate Committee on Internal Economy, Budget and Administration
- PSPC provided 3 updates to the Senate of Canada LTVP Steering Committee and Committee on Internal Economy, Budget and Administration
- PSPC provided updates on the implementation of the LTVP, including on the joint PSPC / Senate of Canada proposal to relocate the Senate Chamber and functions into the Government Conference Centre and adjacent facility during Centre Block rehabilitation
2013
[Redacted]
Phase 1 excavation and construction: Key events and engagement activities
The following provides an overview of the related key events and engagement activities with respect to excavation and construction of the Visitor Welcome Centre phase 1.
2016
Speaker of the House of Commons: House of Commons Board of Internal Economy
PSPC and the House of Commons’ administration provided an update on the LTVP to the Speaker of the House of Commons and then to the Board of Internal Economy.
The meetings presented an opportunity to confirm support from the Speaker and from the Board of the Internal Economy for the next phase of the LTVP [Redacted].
The presentation provided an update on issues of particular interest to the House of Commons, including the implementation of the first phase of the Visitor Welcome Centre. [Redacted]
Senate sub-committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration
- PSPC provided an update on the LTVP to the Senate sub-committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration
- same as above but with particular focus on projects of interest to the Senate of Canada, including the Visitor Welcome Centre
- [Redacted]proceed with the rehabilitation of the Centre Block, the next phase of the Visitor Welcome Centre and a number of other projects in the precinct
2017
House of Commons Board of Internal Economy - October 2017
- PSPC and the House of Commons’ administration provided an update on the LTVP in October 2017
- The presentation provided an update on the LTVP and state of readiness for the West Block building and Visitor Welcome Centre phase 1 in particular
House of Commons Board of Internal Economy
- PSPC and the House of Commons’ administration provided an update on LTVP and a briefing on the proposed next phase of the LTVP
- The presentation provided an update on the next phase of the LTVP, the proposed 3-step strategy to rehabilitate key assets and transform the precinct into an integrated, secure and consolidated campus, as well as an update on the West Block and Centre Block rehabilitation projects
Senate Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration
- PSPC and the Senate of Canada’s administration provided an update on LTVP and a briefing on the proposed next phase of the LTVP
- The presentation provided an update on the next phase of the LTVP, the proposed 3-step strategy to rehabilitate key assets and transform the precinct into an integrated, secure and consolidated campus, as well as an update on the East Block strategy and the Centre Block rehabilitation project
[Redacted]
Senate Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration - December 2017
- PSPC and the Senate of Canada provided an update on the LTVP in December 2017
- The presentation provided an update on the state of readiness for the major projects, including the Visitor Welcome Centre phase 1 and projects of particular interest to the Senate of Canada
2018
Centre Block Transition Senior Project Steering Committee
PSPC established a Centre Block Transition Senior Project Steering Committee as a senior-level forum to provide direction and oversight to ensure the coordinated, timely and orderly transition of parliamentary operations from Centre Block into West Block, Government Conference Centre and other facilities.
The deputy minister / clerk-level committee comprising representatives from PSPC, the parliamentary partners, Parliamentary Protective Service, the Privy Council Office and the RCMP, met every 2 weeks to address any issues to ensure the successful, timely, smooth transition of operations from the Centre Block. This committee operated throughout 2018 and into early 2019. These meetings included tours of the new facilities to assess the state of readiness.
House of Commons Board of Internal Economy
House of Commons’ administration provided updates on the LTVP in March and June 2018.
The presentations provided an update on the state of readiness for the West Block building and Visitor Welcome Centre phase 1 in anticipation of the upcoming relocation of parliamentary operations from the Centre Block.
Senate Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration
Senate administration provided updates on the LTVP in June 2018.
The presentations provided an update on the state of readiness for the West Block building and Visitor Welcome Centre phase 1 in anticipation of the upcoming relocation of parliamentary operations from the Centre Block.
Phase 2 Planning: Key events and engagement activities
In this section
The following provides an overview of recent engagement activities in the context of planning for and developing the requirements of the Visitor Welcome Centre phase 2.
December 2018
House of Commons Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs
PSPC and the House of Commons provided an updated about the Centre Block Rehabilitation Program, phase 2 of the Visitor Welcome Centre.
April 2019
Long Term Vision and Plan Senate sub-committee
PSPC provided an update on the Centre Block Rehabilitation Program. This included an update about the Visitor Welcome Centre (VWC phase 2 and how it could support parliamentary operations, services for visitors to Parliament Hill, and the connection to Centre, West, and East Block buildings.
May 2019
House of Commons Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs
PSPC provided an update on the Centre Block Rehabilitation Program. This included an update about the VWC phase 2 and how it could support parliamentary operations, services for visitors to Parliament Hill, and the connection to Centre, West, and East Block buildings.
Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs (PROC) members asked PSPC representatives questions regarding when the project would begin, the scope of the project and possible completion date.
Senate Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration
PSPC provided an update on the Centre Block Rehabilitation Program. This included an update about the VWC phase 2 and how it could support parliamentary operations, services for visitors to Parliament Hill, and the connection to Centre, West, and East Block buildings.
There was a particular focus on extending the Beaux-Arts Plan which includes the addition of the Visitor Welcome Centre Complex (VWCC).
June 2019
House of Commons members working group on the Long Term Vision and Plan
The House of Commons Real Property Directorate provided a presentation to the House of Commons members working group on the LTVP about the Centre Block Rehabilitation Program. This engagement provided an overview of the history of approvals for the Visitor Welcome Centre, as well as 3 possible size options for phase 2 in relation to house requirements, as well as construction site hoarding options.
Long Term Vision and Plan Senate sub-committee
PSPC provided an update on the VWCC phase 2 Excavation Strategy, this included the 3 possible size options for phase 2.
House of Commons Board of Internal Economy
PSPC provided an update on the Centre Block Rehabilitation Program. This included an update about the VWC phase 2 and how it could support parliamentary operations, services for visitors to Parliament Hill, and the connection to Centre, West, and East Block buildings.
The House of Commons members working group on the LTVP also provided an update on construction site delineation and hoarding options.
Discussion touched on establishing a concept for the VWCC, as well as the role of Board of Internal Economy and the LTVP working group.
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