Transcript for the Rehabilitation of the West Block Building video

Preserving Parliament Buildings for Generations to Come

The Parliament Buildings are an icon of Canada’s democracy.

Today, they are being restored to their former glory.

A major step of this renovation is the highly deteriorated West Block.

The Parliament Buildings are built in the neogothic style.

The West Block has a distinct character with gargoyles and grotesques.

The West Block was built in three phases, from 1859 to 1906.

In 1897, fire destroyed the original grey slate roof.

It was replaced with its distinctive copper roof.

The last major renovation in the West Block took place in the 1960s.

Since the renovation, time and weather have taken their toll…

Using both artisanal and innovative techniques, the West Block is being rehabilitated from top to bottom.

Putting hammer to stone first requires a great deal of research, planning, and expertise.

Work started with the Southeast tower, which was capped with a new copper roof…

Eventually, the copper will acquire its familiar greenish hue.

Using traditional tools, masons carefully repair and restore the stonework…

Even the stone carvings are being brought back to life, such as the Wild Rose…

And the maple leaf, symbol of our great country.

Walls were tested and designed to meet the latest building codes and better withstand earthquake damage.

We are using innovative photo techniques to find vulnerable areas and take preventive action.

Work will continue to restore these heritage buildings to their full splendour…

So future generations can continue to enjoy these national treasures.

Images Courtesy of Library and Archives Canada
National Capital Commission
Arcop/Fournier Gersovitz Moss and Associates Architects, in Joint Venture
EllisDon/Trevor Gillingwater (Conservator)

© Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada as represented by
Department of Public Works and Government Services Canada
2009

Canada wordmark

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