Inflation, excavation issues added ‘pressures’ to Centre Block renovation [Video]

The multibillion-dollar renovation of Parliament’s Centre Block building continues to be on time and on budget, but construction crews are facing “pressures” when it comes to the deadline and total costs, according to the department in charge of the project.

During a tour with members of the media, senior director for Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) Siavash Mohajer said the department did plan for some level of inflation but they “didn’t expect 8 per cent”.

Still, PSPC believes it can stay within the budget of $4.5 billion to $5 billion and have the building ready by 2031.

Some delays to the project were factored into that timeline, however, excavating the basement and below the century-old building proved to be more complicated than expected.

“It’s the location of it, it’s the type of rock that we’re dealing with, it’s a heritage building,” Mohajer told CTV News. “So, when you combine …