Confederation Building (Newfoundland and Labrador)

The Confederation Building serves as the home of the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly. It is located on Confederation Hill overlooking Newfoundland and Labrador's capital city, St. John's. The brick- and concrete-clad building has 11 stories and is 64 metres (210 ft) tall. It was completed in 1960 at a cost of $9 million to replace the Colonial Building. A lantern is located at the top of the copper roof of the central tower and acts as a beacon when turned on at night.^[3]

Confederation Building
Confederation Building East Block
Alternative names	French: Édifice de la Confédération
General information
Type	Legislative Assembly
Architectural style	Post-War Modern
Location	St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
Address	100 Prince Philip Drive
Town or city	St. John's
Country	Canada
Elevation	100 metres (330 ft)
Current tenants	Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
Construction started	1959
Completed	1960; 1991
Inaugurated	1960
Renovated	1982 & presently
Cost	$9,000,000 ($91.2 million in 2023 dollars[1])
Client	Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
Owner	Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
Landlord	Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
Height	64 metres (210 ft)
Dimensions
Other dimensions	198 metres (650 ft) wide 64 metres (210 ft) tall (East Block)
Technical details
Floor count	11
Floor area	34,838 square metres (374,990 sq ft)
Lifts/elevators	9
References
[2]

In 1982, construction began on the West Block extension, a modern 7-storey structure, which is a six-storey building, with a gross floor area of 34,838 square metres (374,990 sq ft). The original building is now considered the East Block of the Confederation Building.^[2] A third building on the legislature campus is the Service Building Annex a two-storey building housing a day care centre and garage for some provincial government vehicles.

Complex

The complex consists of two buildings that house most departments of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. It also contains the provincial legislature, and offices for elected members.

East Block

The original and tallest of the two buildings.

It is home to these provincial government departments, agencies, and offices:

• Office of the Premier
• Executive Council of Newfoundland and Labrador
• Department of Finance
• Department of Justice and Public Safety
• House of Assembly
• Office of the Official Opposition
• Office of the Third Party
• Government Members Office
• Protocol Office
• Cabinet Secretariat
• Communications and Consultation Branch
• Hansard Office
• House of Assembly Broadcast Centre

West Block

Opened in 1985, this building is to the west of the East Block and contains most other provincial government departments, and various offices and agencies:

• Department of Immigration, Skills and Labour
• Department of Education
• Department of Health and Community Services
• Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation
• Department of Environment and Climate Change
• Department of Children, Seniors and Social Development
• Department of Transportation and Infrastructure
• Department of Municipal and Provincial Affairs
• Digital Government and Service NL
• Office of Public Engagement
• Center for Learning and Development
• Policy Innovation and Accountability Office
• Office of Women and Gender Equality
• Disability Policy Office

Off site

Remaining departments of the provincial government are located in other offices in St. John's:^[4]

• 81 Kenmount Road - Department of Children, Seniors and Social Development
• Petten Building, Strawberry Marsh Road - Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture
• Industry, Energy and Technology Building, 50 Elizabeth Avenue - Department of Industry, Energy and Technology
• Howley Building, Higgins Line - Department of Industry, Energy and Technology, Department of Environment, Climate Change, and Municipalities
• 40 Higgins Line - Office of the Chief Information Officer
• Sir Brian Dunfield Building, 50 Mundy Pond Road - Public Service Commission
• Argyle Building, Portugal Cove Rd - Research and Development Corporation
• 25 Hallett Crescent - Fire and Emergency Services
• 2 Canada Drive - Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner

Statues and landmarks at the Legislature

A rear facing view of The Confederation Building, in St. John's Newfoundland.

A number of statues and landmarks are located near the building:

• Statue of Gaspar Corte-Real - located southeast of the building^[5][6][7]
• Statue of John Cabot - located at the foot of the steps at the East Block
• Statue of Sir Wilfred Grenfell
• An enamel-coated metal coat of arms of Newfoundland and Labrador donated by businessman Paul J. Hohnson in 2000 is surrounded by a Gothic Revival stone lookout located in front of the East Block
• The flag of Canada, flag of Newfoundland and Labrador, and the British Union Jack fly in front of the building

See also

• Executive Council of Newfoundland and Labrador
• Memorial University of Newfoundland