The Canadian Parliament’s oldest building, the East Block, is vulnerable to the frequent earthquakes of the Ottawa area and needs at least $66 million in upgrades to make it more tremor-resistant, according to a report by journalist Dean Beeby of CBC News.
The recommendations came from a series of reports commissioned by Canada’s Public Works department after three major earthquakes in 2010 and 2012 which set the Peace Tower and a main tower on the East Block swaying back and forth. CBC News obtained copies of the internal reports under the Access to Information Act.
“The advanced deterioration of the exterior masonry walls has been a concern for many years,” says one report.
“The East Block building is unlikely to meet 60 per cent of the seismic design requirement of the (National Building Code of Canada) and will need to be upgraded.”
More information:
CBC News/Dean Beeby – $66M earthquake-proof upgrades urged for Parliament Hill’s East Block – here
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