On April 26, 2019, Plenary Properties Gatineau LP and Library and Archives Canada (together with Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada – the Authority) reached financial close on a new preservation facility in Gatineau, Québec. In January 2019, Plenary Properties Gatineau LP was selected as the preferred proponent to design, build, finance and operate the new facility.
The new preservation facility has a construction cost of approximately $330 million. It is the first "net-zero carbon" facility dedicated to archival preservation in the Americas as well as the first federal building constructed to the requirements of Canada's Greening Government Strategy. This new flagship building will sit next to and complement the award-winning Preservation Centre in Gatineau, Québec, which will also undergo improvements under this project. The building will also be the world’s largest preservation facility equipped with the advanced technology of creating an automated storage and retrieval system for archival materials.
Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP provided counsel to the Authority, with a team consisting of John Naccarato, Michael Cockburn, Martin Masse and Michael Brown.
Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP was lead transaction counsel to Plenary Properties Gatineau LP, and Ontario and Québec counsel to Plenary, with a team consisting of William Buchner, Dan Wolfensohn, Sylvie Samson and Jaimie Franks.
Gowling WLG was British Columbia counsel to Plenary, with a team consisting of Peter Fairey, Harman Bains and Kean Silverthorn, with support from Beth Burton in Calgary and Michael Garellek and Alex O’Reilly in Montreal.
Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP provided counsel to the lender and hedge provider (ATB Financial) and initial senior bondholder (Aviva Life & Pensions UK Limited), with a team consisting of Brian Kelsall, Ella Plotkin, Sean Morley, Marc Lefler, Zackary Burashko and Gianrico DePasquale.
Reynolds Mirth Richards & Farmer LLP was counsel to PCL, with a team consisting of Donald Lucky, Mark Hildebrand, Tamara Korassa and Jeffrey Daniels.
McCarthy Tétrault LLP was counsel to ENGIE, with a team consisting of Anca Neacsu and Martin Thiboutot.
ENGIE Global Developments B.V. was also advised by Netherlands counsel Loyens & Loeff N.V.