Decorative wood carvings and plaster reliefs adorn the walls of the Legislative Chamber at Queen's Park.Legislative Assembly of Ontario/Supplied
Mechanical systems that are close to, or already, failing. Poor ventilation. Original piping insulated with asbestos. A lack of access to emergency exits.
Oh, and you can’t drink the water.
It may sound like a building no one wants to live in, but it’s home to the Ontario legislature. And after 131 years, it’s starting to show its age.
The legislative building at Queen’s Park in downtown Toronto officially opened on April 4, 1893. Now, it is in need of large-scale repairs, estimated to cost around $1-billion, and which will require closing it down for about a decade.
But exactly when that will happen – and where the seat of Ontario’s Parliament will be located in the interim – has not been decided. The new site will have to be large enough to host daily Question Period and to house hundreds of legislative members, staff and journalists. It must also be close to Queen’s Park and the other downtown offices where ministries are already located.
The plan to move the legislature has already been delayed to 2028, from 2026. And the body responsible for overseeing the process – the ministry of legislative affairs, which was led by former House leader Paul Calandra – was disbanded in Premier Doug Ford’s June cabinet shuffle. Infrastructure Minister Kinga Surma is now responsible for the file, with the government planning to enshrine her role in legislation.
The picture of the building’s state is grim. Most of the mechanical systems are at, or beyond the end of their operational life. The air is either too hot or too cold. The electrical system was installed at various times, and so there is a lack of consistency in the wiring. There aren’t enough fire exits or sprinkler systems, and unprotected openings in the ceilings and walls could allow smoke and fire to easily spread between floors. Water pipe ruptures are frequent, and there is a lack of power and cable systems in some areas. Original piping (some from 1893) is difficult to upgrade since it is encased in masonry and insulated with asbestos.
In a statement in June, Ms. Surma said the 19th century building has “a clear and demonstrated need for a comprehensive renovation.”
“As the building has reached a point where piecemeal repairs are no longer viable, a full restoration and relocation of operations is needed to bring the building up to modern safety and operational standards,” she said, adding that her ministry is currently assessing the needs of the project.
In a report released in March 2023, the Ontario legislature’s Procedure and House Affairs committee recommended a clear need for a timely transfer and complete restoration of the legislative building.
The committee, which has been studying the building for more than two years, said any plans for the restoration should be brought to the committee for review, and the government should ensure there is oversight from parliamentarians and officials. It also asked that the project preserve the heritage elements of the building, while improving accessibility, functionality, safety, and security. Other recommended considerations include engaging with the Indigenous community on its design.
“It is something that needs attention and it cannot be put off for much longer,” said NDP MPP Jennifer French, chair of the committee.
This type of large-scale renovation has been undertaken before. The House of Commons and Senate Chambers in Parliament’s Centre Block are closed until at least 2032 for renovations, with MPs working in a temporary chamber in neighbouring West Block. Senators meet down the street in a former rail-station-turned-conference centre.
Susan Kulba, director-general of property at the House of Commons, is tasked with helping to determine what members need in a new building, including the chamber, offices and committee rooms. With Parliament now adopting a hybrid model, integration of technology and accessibility are also key considerations, she said.
“We are looking for opportunities to improve for sure. And not only just to meet minimal standards by code, but to exceed it where we can,” she said in an interview.
The Visitor Service Centre opened in 2021. It is the first new construction project in over 100 years.Legislative Assembly of Ontario/Supplied
She said the move to West Block was challenging for some members, who were attached to the uniqueness and history of Centre Block. “It’s always an adjustment when you change something so big,” she said.
Ontario legislators also toured the Parliament and Queen’s Park buildings to learn about the extent of the projects. Liberal MPP Ted Hsu, who sits on the Ontario committee, said the tour of the Queen’s Park legislature was “very, very eye-opening” in showing why extensive renovations are needed.
A potential site has been identified, said Mr. Hsu, although not publicly announced, and negotiations are under way. The space would likely need to be retrofitted to suit the legislature for the next several years, he said.
Mr. Hsu said he loves how accessible the current building is, with ministers, the press and Premier Doug Ford all mingling in the same space.
“We just all bump into each other more, and I think that’s good for democracy,” he said.
“I hope that at the end of the renovation that feature of this place is not lost.”