A federal agency is spending an undisclosed amount of taxpayer money to build a rooftop sun lounge atop a government office building, complete with flower boxes, a splash pad, and Brazilian walnut benches.
Blacklock's Reporter says the National Research Council (NRC) confirmed plans for the project but refused to disclose the cost.
According to a notice to contractors, the rooftop space must provide seating and work surfaces for 100 people — coinciding with the number of employees at the Centre for Green Energy Materials in Mississauga, Ontario.
The building, originally budgeted at $58.9 million under a clean energy research program, ultimately opened last spring at a cost of $77 million. It houses scientists, research partners, and administrative staff focused on climate change initiatives.
The NRC did not clarify who approved the rooftop lounge or how the spending was justified.
However, in its call for bids, the agency emphasized Canada’s commitment to “greening its supply chain,” encouraging contractors to suggest environmentally friendly materials.
The planned patio furniture, made from Brazilian walnut, is described as “resistant to high winds,” while other features include a trellis, flower boxes, umbrellas, and a concrete splash pad.
Schematic drawings of the project label it a “penthouse.” While cabinet previously praised the Green Energy building as a model for sustainable federal facilities, no mention was made of the rooftop addition at the time of its opening.
Public Works Minister Jean-Yves Duclos previously stated that the Centre for Green Energy Materials represents “the future for federal science” and that researchers require modern infrastructure to meet Canada’s evolving needs.
However, the government’s most recent budget warned against excessive deficit spending, calling it “irresponsible and unfair” to pass on more debt to future generations.
