The Senate of Canada has released new images of what Parliament Hill might look like once the major, years-long restoration process on Centre Block is complete. The multibillion-dollar project to rehabilitate Centre Block and build a new Parliament Welcome Centre on the hill began in 2018. According to the Senate, as of mid-2026, excavation for the three-level welcome centre is complete and the construction of the lower two levels is about 75 per cent finished. Excavation continues in Centre Block’s west and east courtyards for new basement levels that will connect the original building to the welcome centre, and the Peace Tower now has a new foundation that is secured to the main level of Centre Block. New images released this week show proposed designs for the Parliament Welcome Centre, the Senate Chamber, and lands around Parliament. “After focusing for years on the preparations for this rehabilitation and the details of what’s happening on site as it unfolds, it’s exciting to begin revealing to Canadians how their modern Parliament will look when the job is done,” said Senator Scott Tannas, chair of the Senate Subcommittee on Long Term Vision and Plan. Scaffolding around the main building on Parliament Hill went up earlier this year, with a plan to eventually completely obscure the Peace Tower as work on its restoration gets underway. The interior of the building has been gutted to update not only its appearance, but its electrical, fire safety, and HVAC systems, and its windows. About 50 “high heritage” spaces will be restored close to their original designs during the process, while other spaces will be improved. The Senate says the goal of the project is to make the century-old building safer, greener and more accessible for the parliamentarians and employees who work there every day and for all Canadians and visitors who will explore Parliament Hill in the decades to come. Construction is expected to be completed between 2030 and 2031. The building would reopen a year later. The project is slated to cost between $4.5 and $5 billion.
