A major renovation of Ontario’s 130-year-old legislative building at Queen’s Park is moving forward as the province proposed a new ministry that would oversee the restoration project.

Since the Romanesque Revival structure opened its doors in 1893, there have been no large-scale renovations in more than 100 years, other than gradual repairs. Even so, plumbing, heating, electrical and IT system are beyond their end of life as said to be at risk of total failure.

Fully modernizing the facility would include interior deconstruction to preserve heritage elements and upgrading building systems for safety and accessibility. Doing so means having to temporarily relocate parliamentary operations while the multi-year project is underway.

The newly proposed Queen’s Park Restoration Act, 2023 would create a secretariat that would oversee the whole process, including the move. The building currently houses the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, offices of the members of the Assembly, offices of members of the press, and the Office of the Lieutenant Governor.

Paul Calandra, minister of legislative affairs, introduced the Act yesterday. “Our government’s proposal strikes an important balance between the need to leverage the infrastructure expertise, fiscal transparency, and accountability of the government with the independence and oversight of our Legislative Assembly,” he said.