Peace Tower to take on new look as Centre Block construction continues in 2026

Ottawa residents will notice a different, though temporary, look to Parliament Hill's iconic Peace Tower starting next year.

Scaffolding around the tower will become visible starting next summer and remain up until 2031, the same year the Centre Block renovation is expected to be completed. The scaffolding will allow masonry rehabilitation to be completed on the century-old structure.

The building is expected to finally re-open to the public in 2032, MPs were also told during a project update on Tuesday.

During construction, a decorative tarp with printed images of the tower will wrap around the scaffolding, a technique known as a “trompe-l’œil,” or trick of the eye.

Jennifer Garrett, assistant deputy minister of the science and parliamentary infrastructure branch, said the masonry program was begun on rear parts of Centre Block in order to maintain a view of the tower and other parts of the front facade for as long as possible.

Garrett says her team worked to ensure that tourist and ceremonial attractions, such as lighting on Parliament Hill and the changing of the guard, will continue despite the construction.

“This mitigation measure preserves the visual experience on Parliament Hill during construction," Ottawa Tourism spokesperson Jerome Miousse said via email.

In an emailed statement, a spokesperson for Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) confirmed the steel used to support the scaffolding will be sourced from Canada.

Contracting concerns

Garrett told MPs that 65 per cent of the steel used in the overall Centre Block renovation has been made in Canada. Of the remaining internationally-sourced steel, 45 per cent was came from the United States.

Some MPs at the briefing raised concerns about companies from their provinces not being involved in the massive construction project, which began in 2018.

Michael Kram, the Conservative MP representing Regina-Wascana, said that of the 400 companies involved in the project, 95 per cent were Canadian, yet none were from Saskatchewan.

Kram asked whether PSPC had communicated with Regina-based Interpro Pipe and Steel in procuring Canadian steel for the project.

“If we are sourcing some steel from the United States and paying tariffs on top of it, I am sure there are many steel workers in Regina who would be very appreciative of the opportunity,” he said.

Garrett said she was not aware of any communications with the company thus far, but that a central goal of the project is to ensure companies from every province were involved in the renovation.