Evidence of meeting #4 for Government Operations and Estimates in the 41st Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was work.
A video is available from Parliament.
4:25 p.m.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Parliamentary Precinct Branch, Department of Public Works and Government Services
Very well, we will go to the roof.
If I may just say that when we say we are on scope and on budget, we're referring to the approved baseline cost by the government—
4:25 p.m.
NDP
4:25 p.m.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Parliamentary Precinct Branch, Department of Public Works and Government Services
Thank you for that.
Regarding the roof, which I understand to be your main question, I will turn to Ezio DiMillo to give you more details about the technical specifications of that roof, but I do wish to mention that we have come to the conclusion that this was the best option after an evaluation of several other options, including a copper roof, for example. The decision to proceed with a glazed roof has been supported at many levels of approval, and relating to the incremental cost, it has proven to be minimal.
Ezio, please, can I ask you to address this?
4:25 p.m.
Acting Director General, Major Crown Projects, Parliamentary Precinct Branch, Department of Public Works and Government Services
Yes, thank you for the question.
Mr. Chair, the design of the roof was provided by world-class Canadian architects. They have looked at other examples of glass roofs elsewhere in the world, in fact, in a number of countries, and they've actually also used a louvre system in order to control light. This is not something new.
The glass roof was also challenged by the design review committee. As I mentioned earlier, we had a design review committee that brought in Canadian architects from all walks of life, the private sector, universities and so on, who came in and challenged these designs. The design that was put forward was not only accepted by the design review committee, but it was also accepted by the National Capital Commission, our House of Commons, and the Public Works people. Various stakeholders were involved in the decision-making process and the design that was put forward was accepted by all.
The glass roof will actually have some benefits as well. It will recapture heat. Up to 10% of the building's energy needs will be captured. During winter months when you have the sun shining in through that glass roof, we will be drawing that warm air from that area at the top of the roof and recirculating it through the building. This is a sustainability measure. There are a number of advantages. The glass roof is also allowing what is a courtyard at this time to continue to be a courtyard in the design of the West Block. This was one of the visions that all of the stakeholders had for this project as well.
4:25 p.m.
NDP
The Chair NDP Pierre-Luc Dusseault
Thank you for your answers and for coming here today. That is the end of the testimony.
Since we are going to visit the West Block, I should tell committee members that two green buses will be outside the Centre Block and they are reserved for our exclusive use.
In preparation for our study of the Supplementary Estimates (B), you may put specific questions to departmental representatives though the clerk, who will make sure that they get to the appropriate people. In that way, we will be able to hear the answers to those questions at the appropriate meetings.
That brings the official part of today's meeting to an end. We will meet outside in the green buses.
My thanks to Ms. Monette, Ms. Chahwan and Mr. DiMillo for joining us today. I am sure we will meet again.
(Meeting adjourned)
