Work starts in March on $98M reno of Veterans Affairs HQ in Charlottetown

Work will begin in March on renovations to theDanielJ.MacDonaldBuilding in Charlottetown, with the $98-millioncontract awarded to EllisDonCorporation.

The federal government made the announcement Friday morning, with a news release saying the renovations will provide "a modern, sustainable and efficient workplace for Veterans Affairs Canada."

"Probably needed to be done before this but it's being done now," Island MP and Veterans Affairs Minister Lawrence MacAulaysaid Friday. "This [will] make sure that Veterans Affairs Canada head office will be in Prince Edward island for the future ... it's so important to our economy."

The building is home to boththe nationalVACheadquarters and the Veterans Review and Appeal Board, with about 900 employees stationed there.

Construction is expected to begin next month and be completed in the spring of 2026.

"The fact of this investment should reinforce confidence in the longevity of the national headquarters for Veterans Affairs here in Charlottetown," said Charlottetown MP Sean Casey.

The release said the department has temporary office space in the Charlottetown area to accommodate employees while construction is underway, and some employees willbe able to work from home.

Among other things, the work will see doorways and corridors widened to give more accessibility for wheelchairs.There will also be upgrades to heating, ventilation, air conditioning and electrical systems to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The renovations will include adding a public museum space displaying artifacts and educational information about the contributions veterans have made to Canada. '

"It is anticipated that the construction will create work opportunities for local subcontractors and will sustain good paying jobs locally," the news release said.

The project willinclude what's called an Indigenous Participation Plan,that will see 10 per centof all subcontracts awarded to Indigenous businesses, as well as 1 per centof the contract value provided for skill and capacity building.