Senate, House won’t move out of Centre Block until end of year, reno delayed
OTTAWA — Parliament Hill’s iconic Centre Block won’t be shutting down this summer, delaying the start of a badly needed renovation until at least next year.
Senators and MPs decided Thursday that they won’t officially move out of their current home until the end of this calendar year to make sure they aren’t rushed into temporary abodes that may not be be ready to host either parliamentary chamber by September, as originally planned.
Federal officials overseeing a massive renovation of the buildings that make up the parliamentary precinct had planned to close the Centre Block for a decade-long rehab starting this summer.
But the Senate and House of Commons were told their temporary homes may not be ready in time for a mid-summer move, requiring a leap of faith without the possibility of going back to the Centre Block if systems weren’t ready.