Preparations for the Supreme Court of Canada’s temporary building are three years behind schedule due to a series of unforeseen challenges.
Meanwhile, officials say they have yet to confirm a start or completion date for urgently needed renovations to the Supreme Court’s imposing, permanent building on Wellington Street in Ottawa.
The Supreme Court building’s overhaul was originally scheduled to take place between 2023 and 2028.
While the work is being carried out, the court’s nine judges and staff will be relocated to the West Memorial Building across the street.
However, the West Monument itself is in dire need of renovation and is not expected to be completed until 2026, three years later than planned.
More than $1 billion had been earmarked for renovations to the two buildings just west of the Capitol.
Responding to questions, the Department of Public Services and Procurement said renovations to the Supreme Court building, which has not undergone any major renovations since it was completed more than 80 years ago, are currently in the planning stages.
“We are currently updating construction cost estimates and developing a detailed implementation plan. The start date for construction has yet to be decided,” the ministry said.
“Due to the lack of a timeline for renovations to the Supreme Court of Canada building, there is no firm date on which the Supreme Court of Canada can relocate again.”
“Part of Canada’s main World War II memorial, the West Memorial was constructed in the 1950s. It has been vacant since 2008 due to its poor condition, including the presence of hazardous materials.”
Constructed of limestone, granite and copper, the seven-story building is connected to its twin, East Memorial, by an elevated colonnade.
Experts say the roof and parking garage at the Supreme Court of Canada building could collapse without major renovations.
The move to West Memorial is scheduled for summer 2026.
The renovated West Memorial Building will feature a large glass-and-steel skylight in the great hall, with a spiral staircase leading to the courtroom, which will have nine angled arches representing the number of justices and glass openings allowing natural light to pour in from above.
Like the existing Supreme Court building, it will also have room for federal court hearings.
Work on renovating the building began in 2020 but wasn’t completed on time last year due to delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the complex demands of the project.
The department said the building’s structure required “significant redesign and renovation” and that significantly more structural beams would need to be reinforced to meet current building codes.
The team also had to remove additional hazardous materials and redesign mechanical and electrical components.
The ministry said efforts to speed up the process include streamlining redesigns where possible and extending working hours, including weekend shifts.
The new date for the Supreme Court to move to the West Memorial Building is summer 2026.
Supreme Court Legal Director Stephanie Bachand said there are no concerns about the safety of people working at the courthouse.
He said the building “remains stable and safe thanks to ongoing collaboration with the Department of Public Services and Procurement.”
