January 31, 2024                             Nipigon, ON                                    Parks Canada

The Government of Canada is making one of the largest freshwater protected areas in the world more accessible by awarding the contract for construction of an Administration and Visitor Centre. Once complete, it will serve as Parks Canada’s primary operations base and visitor reception area for Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area.

Today, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, and the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario and Member of Parliament for Thunder Bay-Superior North, announced over $37 million in federal funding for the contract award to construct the Administration and Visitor Centre – a place for connection and visitor discovery and Parks Canada’s first Passive House Plus, net-zero carbon build – for Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area in Nipigon, Ontario.

This landmark project will serve as Parks Canada’s primary operations base to ensure the ecologically sustainable use and cultural heritage of this national marine conservation area for generations to come. The centre will also welcome Canadians and visitors from around the world, facilitating meaningful visitor experiences by sharing the rich history of Indigenous peoples and coastal communities in the area. The Administration and Visitor Centre is anticipated to open to the public in 2026.

This net-zero carbon project supports commitments in the Greening Government Strategy to net-zero emissions by 2050. This project will be the first Parks Canada administered building to be built to Passive House Plus certification and net-zero carbon standards and will demonstrate innovation and leadership in sustainable building practices. The building has been designed, and will be constructed, using sustainable practices such as superior thermal storage due to its super-insulated envelope, optimized site orientation, sustainable material selection, and on-site energy generation. By harnessing renewable energy sources, the Administration and Visitor Centre will meet its own energy needs while also reducing long term energy costs.

The construction contract has been awarded to Finn Way General Contractor Inc., based in Thunder Bay, Ontario, following a competitive process. The contract includes initiatives that will promote employment opportunities and use of suppliers and contractors within local Indigenous communities. The federal funding received for this project comes in part from the $557 million announced by the Government of Canada in late 2022 earmarked for Parks Canada priority projects to focus on climate resiliency, public safety, built heritage, and improved visitor experiences. This project is the most significant federal investment at a Parks Canada administered place in the Northern Ontario region.

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