The Les Terrasses de la Chaudière Envelope Replacement Project – Public Comments Invited

July 21, 2022 – The authorities must determine whether the proposed Les Terrasses de la Chaudière Envelope Replacement Project, located in Gatineau, Quebec 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 August 20, 2022 to:

Environment, Health and Safety

Public Services and Procurement Canada

2720 Riverside Drive

Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0M2

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

The Proposed Project

The LTDLC complex was built in the heart of Gatineau between 1976 and 1978. Composed of four office towers of varied heights (7, 9, 19 and 28 storeys) linked by a retail concourse, the complex provides accommodation for approximately 6,000 full time federal employees and over 142,000 m² of leasable space, making it one of the largest federal office complexes in Canada.

The Les Terrasses de la Chaudière (LTDLC) envelope replacement project is a major rehabilitation of the exterior envelope of all the buildings within the complex to address health and safety concerns. The project will provide a higher-performing envelope, which will reduce Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, utility costs as well as improve occupant comfort and well-being.

The project consists of variation of curtain wall systems to serve two purposes: breaking down the masses and meeting various facades orientation and performance criteria. The proposed material palette is limited to two main elements: glass and ceramic panels. Four types of triple glazed curtain wall system (A, B, Bb, C) are proposed to break-up the Megablock massing, and ceramic panels are proposed in podiums as tactile material to integrate with the surroundings at pedestrian scale. The existing brick cladding at ground floor level will remain in place until the full rehabilitation of the complex. The project will also require the abatement and removal of asbestos containing materials within the perimeter of the exterior walls.

The buildings have not been designated by the Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office. However, the buildings are positioned in a strategic location in the National Capital Area. The site is part of the urban fabric of downtown Gatineau where Town meets Crown, and it is adjacent to Laurier Street which forms part of Confederation Boulevard. In addition to Place du Portage, the LTDLC has a significant presence in the Nation's Capital's silhouette and contributes to define the skyline of Gatineau.