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But the outstanding question is where, exactly, the merged institution would be located.

Both LeBreton proposals released earlier this month included a library. The plan from RendezVous put it at the corner of Albert and Booth streets, just outside the LeBreton lands. The city owns part of the property and the NCC owns the rest. Both would have to agree for that to happen.Competitor Devcore called its proposal “the civic cornerstone building in our re-imagined vision of LeBreton Flats.”

But Berthiaume, who took over the helm of Library and Archives Canada 19 months ago, called both the LeBreton proposals a “red herring.”

“It’s not part of our process. I think it’s good that it’s not, because the timelines would be entirely different,” he said.

Construction of the new library is slated to begin in 2018. The proposal chosen for LeBreton Flats won’t be made public until early 2017.

In an update for the library board, the Ottawa Public Library said a site needs to be determined as soon as possible. Proximity to light rail is essential, and a site near the Pimisi LRT station “would be a good location.”

During its request for expressions of interest process late last year, nine sites were brought forward by interested parties, according to the update. These include five west of Bronson Avenue, two in the “traditional downtown” between Bronson and Elgin, and two east of the Rideau Canal, according to the update.

Berthiaume said he hasn’t seen the sites but that location is very important if the partnership with the Ottawa Public Library is to work. He wants it to be as close as possible to the current location of Library and Archives Canada at 395 Wellington Street.