The Ontario Legislature is long overdue for a renovation and members of a legislative committee are visiting Ottawa today to see what’s being done with a massive project underway in Parliament’s Centre Block.

Photo: DXR, CC BY-SA 4.0

At 130 years old, the legislature needs more than just a quick makeover. It’s been suggested the business of running the government might have to move somewhere else for about eight years.

A review is currently underway to see what work needs to be completed, but upgrades are needed to the building’s fire safety systems, asbestos and lead pipes run throughout, and an inefficient steam heating system is in need up frequent repair.

Legislative Affairs Minister Paul Calandra says the work won’t come cheap, with a price tag of at least a billion dollars.