Public Board of Directors Meeting

The NCC Board of Directors has approved the Confederation Boulevard Planning and Design Guidelines. The guidelines, originally approved in 2011, have been updated alongside the NCC’s National Capital Core Area Plan to reflect current needs and best practices.

About Confederation Boulevard

Running a length of 7.5 km, Confederation Boulevard is the route that foreign dignitaries and the Royal Family take for processions and state visits to Canada’s national capital. It forms a loop that links Ontario and Quebec across the Ottawa River and features emblematic streets and national landmarks.

About the guidelines

The updated guidelines set a clear vision for Confederation Boulevard as a symbol of unity; a vibrant, inclusive and sustainable public space that celebrates Canada’s heritage and diversity. They will guide future development in coordination with major capital projects.

The Confederation Boulevard Planning and Design Guidelines provide design and planning direction to improve and integrate:

• mobility and safety
• design and landscaping
• public art and commemoration

The document also outlines how partners will work together to implement and maintain these improvements over time.

Next steps

The guidelines will provide direction for projects on and around Confederation Boulevard.

The NCC Board of Directors has approved the 100% schematic design for Component 1 of the TerraCanada Lab Facility at the National Research Council of Canada’s Montreal Road campus in Ottawa.

This facility is developed by Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) as part of the Laboratories Canada initiative. The NCC’s role is to make sure the project meets federal planning standards and reflects the values and vision for the National Capital Region.

About the design

Component 1 will be built between Mackenzie Drive, Ballard Drive and Blair Road. It will house more than 450 staff and scientists from multiple federal science agencies. The proposed facility will be a sustainable, three-storey building with specialized labs, offices and public spaces.

Key features of the design include:

• Indigenous cultural elements
• Eco-friendly infrastructure such as geothermal energy and mass timber
• Mobility-friendly amenities, including secure bike parking, EV charging stations and accessible pedestrian pathways.

Next steps

This is the first design approval for this project. The final approval is expected in summer 2026.

The Board of Directors approved the 66% developed design for the main building of The Ottawa Hospital’s future campus. This state-of-the-art healthcare facility will be located at the eastern edge of the Central Experimental Farm, near Dow’s Lake.

The NCC plays a key role in overseeing the design and development of the site, making sure it aligns with federal planning policies and sustainability goals for the National Capital Region.

About the design

The main building’s design emphasizes sustainability, accessibility and integration with the surrounding landscape. It will feature a central building and two towers, green space, bike paths and pedestrian-friendly routes. The site will be accessible by public transit and will offer a direct link to the Dow’s Lake O-Train station.

Public engagement has been central to the planning, with input from community groups, Indigenous representatives and government agencies. The project also includes measures to protect heritage sites and manage environmental impacts.

Next steps

Construction is being led by a public-private partnership, with design and building teams working under federal guidance. Final design approval is expected in 2026, with the hospital scheduled to open in 2030.