A funding boost of $34.5 million from the federal government should help the soon-to-be-constructed Ottawa Public Library–Library and Archives Canada (LAC) joint facility reach net-zero carbon.

In an update to stakeholders on February 8, LAC announced that several enhancements had been made to the facility’s design to move the building’s anticipated performance from LEED Gold to net-zero carbon.

Helping to fund those enhancements was a grant worth $34.5 million that was issued by the Government of Canada in its 2020 fall economic statement. The federal funding will allow for upgrades to the building's envelope and insulation, solar panels on the rooftop and embedded in the façade, additional sustainable materials, and an indoor green wall.

As a result, the building’s greenhouse gas intensity will be reduced by as much as 30 percent, which is the equivalent of approximately 170 fewer metric tons of CO2 produced per year, or taking 37 passenger vehicles off the road.

"Ottawa's amazing new super library will be one of the most sustainable buildings in Canada,” said federal Infrastructure Minister and Ottawa-Centre MP Catherine McKenna. “Today we announced that the federal government is investing to make this iconic building net-zero emissions. This is good for the climate, for economic growth and jobs, and for building a cleaner, more inclusive community."

Construction of the Ottawa Public Library–Library and Archives Canada joint facility, which will be located in the LeBreton Flats district on the western edge of downtown Ottawa, is set to begin later this year. Completion is scheduled for late 2024, and the facility should open to the public in early 2025.

Located by the Confederation Line's Pimisi Station, the new facility is a key part of Ottawa's vision to be the most liveable mid-sized city in North America.

The building itself promises to be a cultural showplace for the country's heritage, a meeting place for residents and visitors alike, and a showpiece for the federal government's commitment to building sustainable infrastructure. Indeed, during public consultations, a wide range of stakeholders and citizens expressed their support for a green and sustainable building.

"Tackling climate change requires a concerted effort and collaboration across all sectors and levels of government,” said Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson. “Our Ottawa Public Library—Library and Archives Canada Joint facility will be an iconic part of our city and thanks to this federal funding we are able to enhance the design to be a net-zero carbon facility. This supports council's ambitious targets to reduce our city's greenhouse gas emissions by 100 percent by 2050, and is a great example of collaboration that helps us proactively manage climate impacts."

The library facility announcement is the second major sustainable infrastructure project for LAC. In 2022, it will open a new net-zero carbon preservation facility, which is currently under construction in nearby Gatineau, Quebec.