Article content continued

The fire started on the sixth floor of the Louis St. Laurent building, and part of the roof caved in as a result of the blaze. Contractors were hired to clear debris from the collapsed roof. A wall was built to seal off the damaged area. Metal posts were installed on various floors and in the parking garage to stabilize the structure, while two cranes were brought in to help with the removal of debris. A temporary roof was also installed.

In the short term, they will continue to work where they are currently located

Public Services and Procurement Canada says it is now working on a plan for long-term accommodation for the 1,800 Department of National Defence employees who used to work at the building. But there is no timeline on when that plan will be ready or when the employees will be sent to a new facility.

The employees are currently dispersed among six different locations in Gatineau and Ottawa.

“In the short term, they will continue to work where they are currently located,” said DND spokeswoman Jessica Lamirande. “We are working closely with Public Services and Procurement Canada to examine options for a long-term solution that will be both cost-effective, and convenient for employees. No decisions have yet been made.”

DND has sent most of the employees to three main locations: an office building at 975 Boulevard Saint-Joseph, in Gatineau, a building at 400 Cumberland St. in downtown Ottawa, and the National Printing Bureau at 45 Boulevard Sacré-Coeur, Gatineau.

Photo by Tony Caldwell

“Since the fire, staff members who had to be moved have access to all pre-existing capabilities and we thank them for their tenacity and resourcefulness in the face of the ordeal,” Lamirande added in an email.