Public Notice

National Printing Bureau Base Building Upgrades – Public Comments Invited

April 22, 2026 – The authorities must determine whether the proposed National Printing Bureau Base Building Upgrades, located in Gatineau, QC is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

To help inform this determination, the authorities are inviting comments from the public respecting that determination. All comments received will be considered public and may be posted online.

Written comments must be submitted by May 22, 2026 to:

Environment, Health and Safety

Public Services and Procurement Canada

11 Laurier St, Portage III, Place du Portage
Gatineau, QC  K1A 0S5

Email: TPSGC.RCNLVEEListedeControle-NCRECMPChecklist.PWGSC@tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca

 

The Proposed Project

The 45 Sacre-Coeur Project entails the Base Building upgrades of the National Printing Bureau (NPB) that are primarily driven by the need to connect to the Modernized Gatineau Energy Centre (MGEC), currently under construction and located adjacent to the NPB. The project will upgrade the base building infrastructure to provide a sustainable and modern SPS building capable of serving existing and prospective SPS tenants. The project will remain fully occupied throughout the construction execution. Existing base building services will be maintained and operational throughout construction. Tenant fit up work is excluded from the scope. Other government departments will remain at 45 Sacré-Coeur. The site has an area of approximately 12.5 ha (30 acres).

The Project involves the removal of all hazardous materials from common areas within the base building, along with a sustainability analysis to align current and future functional needs with the preservation of the building's heritage fabric. New intelligent building systems will be integrated to support modern operations. Heritage-sensitive design and construction solutions will be developed to accommodate the functional, operational, and security requirements of a technologically advanced tenants, while supporting the conservation of the building's heritage elements and aligning with current federal greening initiatives. The project approach will respect both the tangible and intangible heritage values of this "Classified" federal heritage building, as well as its site and broader urban context. This will require a deep understanding of, and adherence to, the "Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada". The federal heritage designation encompasses not only the building itself, but also the landscaping, all integral components of architect Ernest Cormier's design. The proposed excavation work will have no impact to either the federal heritage building or to the exterior landscaping.

The Heritage Consultant will continue to provide design advice and mitigation measures that respect the heritage values and character defining elements. The overall rehabilitation project will have all potential heritage impacts submitted to PSPC Heritage Conservation Services for Centre of Excellence (COE) review, as well as the Federal Heritage Review Office (FHRO) for Reviews of Intervention. The internal BGIS Heritage Conservation Program will remain a key stakeholder throughout the project's duration, ensuring strict adherence to the Treasury Board Directive on the Management of Real Property, in addition to all relevant heritage policies, standards, and deliverables.

The primary scope of work includes demolition and hazardous material abatement; replacement of the curtain wall system & exterior doors, restoration of windows; and mechanical equipment upgrades compatible with MGEC energy provisioning. The project also covers replacement of electrical equipment, freight and passenger elevators, and mechanical and electrical distribution systems. Commissioning of all new systems will be completed, along with upgrades and verification of life safety systems, code compliance, and accessibility standards. Additional scope elements include washroom and common area upgrades, the installation of core perimeter service corridors ("utilidors") on all floors, enhancements to physical security, IT systems infrastructure and pathways, and the provision of swing space within the NPB to accommodate temporary occupant displacement as needed. Select building envelope rehabilitation will also be undertaken, including granite repairs, repointing, and component replacement where required.

Site work, including landscaping, parking, and related exterior elements, is excluded from the current scope and will remain unchanged. The Central Heating Plant is also outside the scope of this project, with the exception of installing a new 600Kv life safety generator in the existing generator room.