National Post (National Edition)
NO-GO ZONE The Kluane ice cave near Haines Junction, Yukon — a unique tunnel left behind by a retreating glacier — has become a popular tourist attraction over the years, but as slabs of ice weighing hundreds of kilograms routinely crash from the roof it’
ary roof was also installed.
Public Services and Procurement Canada says it is now working on a plan for long-term accommodation for the 1,800 DND employees who used to work at the building. But there is no timeline on when that plan will be ready or when the employees will be sent to a new facility. The employees are currently dispersed among six different locations in Gatineau and Ottawa.
“In the short term, they will continue to work where they are currently located,” said DND spokeswoman Jessica Lamirande. “We are working closely with Public Services and Procurement Canada to examine options for a long-term solution that will be both cost-effective, and convenient for employees. No decisions have yet been made.”
DND has sent most of the employees to three main locations: an office building at 975 Boulevard Saint-joseph, in Gatineau, a building at 400 Cumberland St. in downtown Ottawa, and the National Printing Bureau at 45 Boulevard Sacré-coeur, Gatineau.
“Since the fire, staff members who had to be moved have access to all pre-existing capabilities and we thank them for their tenacity and resourcefulness in the face of the ordeal,” Lamirande added in an email.
The Louis St. Laurent building was home to the DND’S procurement branch. Defence officials have said the upheaval from the fire hasn’t affected the management of procurement projects for the military.
Work on the fifth and sixth floors of the building alone has cost almost $14 million, according to the documents obtained by Postmedia. Another $1.4 million was spent removing debris.
Consultants earned $1 million in fees for a variety of services, including dealing with environmental decontamination. Security for the damaged building cost more than $430,000 and other engineering fees totalled $880,000. The temporary roof cost $443,000. The insurance also covered shoring up the structure, and payments for municipal taxes, hydro fees and rental equipment.