Communications Security Establishment Canada (CSE) – Building Expansion and Parking Structure Project

Communications Security Establishment Canada (CSE) is Canada's national cryptologic agency, providing the Government of Canada with information technology security and foreign signals intelligence.

As part of increased capital funding to support expanded operational requirements, CSE is undertaking infrastructure improvements at the Edward Drake Building (EDB) campus in Ottawa, Ontario, located near the intersection of Ogilvie Road and Blair Road.

The proposed project includes the design and construction of a new addition to the existing EDB. The addition will provide additional workspace and supporting infrastructure and will serve as a seamless expansion to the existing building. The detached building extension will be joined to EDB by a pedestrian walkway and will be constructed primarily within an existing developed area currently occupied by a volleyball court, and the adjacent greenspace, which was previously disturbed during construction of the EDB, for a total footprint of approximately 2,500 m².

The project also includes the construction of a new multi-level above-ground parking structure to replace the existing surface parking area. Portions of the parking structure and associated works (temporary parking and staging) may extend into greenspace adjacent to the current parking lot.

Supporting studies and professional services will be undertaken during the design phase of the project, including topographical surveys, geotechnical studies, utility capacity assessments, transportation management and parking solutions assessments, environmental site assessments, material testing, and soil management planning.

Project activities during construction may include site preparation, vegetation clearing, geotechnical investigations, utility relocations or upgrades, excavation, grading, construction of new facilities and associated infrastructure, landscaping, and commissioning activities.

The project is within the existing Edward Drake Building campus which is located on federal lands owned by the CSE. An environmental effects determination will be completed in accordance with Section 82 of the Impact Assessment Act to assess the potential for adverse environmental effects and identify appropriate mitigation measures. The project requires Federal Land Use, Design and Transaction Approval (FLUDTA) from the National Capital Commission (NCC) under the National Capital Act. The NCC will participate in the federal impact assessment process associated with the project.

Details regarding the final building height, parking capacity, stormwater management, construction staging and laydown areas, temporary parking, traffic management, and detours will be confirmed through detailed design. Environmental assessments and supporting studies will inform these elements, and mitigation measures will be incorporated to avoid or minimize adverse effects on adjacent lands, site operations, public access, traffic circulation, parking availability, and the surrounding environment.

Other environmental considerations currently being evaluated include potential effects on vegetation, trees, wildlife habitat, species at risk, migratory birds, wetlands, soils, groundwater, surface water, and archaeology. The project will incorporate standard mitigation measures and environmental best management practices to avoid or minimize potential adverse effects on these features.

Subject to approvals, procurement and detailed design, construction could begin as early as 2028 and is currently anticipated to take approximately two years.

Access to public roads, sidewalks and other publicly accessible areas outside the construction zone will be maintained where practicable.

Figure 1. Proposed Project Components

Figure 1. Aerial view of the Edward Drake Building campus showing the proposed building expansion (red outline) and proposed multi-level parking structure area (yellow outline). The parking structure will replace the existing surface parking area and may extend into adjacent greenspace south of the current parking lot.

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Latest update

October 20, 2026 – The authority intends to make a determination regarding whether the carrying out of the project is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects. To help inform this determination, the Communications Security Establishment is inviting public comments until November 19, 2026 respecting that determination.

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Contacts

Communications Security Establishment
Johanne Ouellet
Communications Security Establishment Canada
P.O. Box 9703, Terminal
Ottawa ON K1G 3Z4
Email: Johanne.Ouellet@cse-cst.gc.ca

Communications Security Establishment
Rodrigue Taschereau
Communications Security Establishment Canada
P.O. Box 9703, Terminal
Ottawa ON K1G 3Z4
Email: Rodrigue.Taschereau@cse-cst.gc.ca


Disclaimer

This map is for illustrative purposes. The markers represent the approximate locations based on available data. More than one marker may be identified for a given assessment.

  • Location

    • Communications Security Establishment Canada (CSE) – Building Expansion and Parking Structure Project (Ontario)

  • Nature of activity

    • Building and Property Development

  • Assessment status

    In progress

  • Start date

    2026-10-20

  • Proponent

    Communications Security Establishment

  • Authorities

    • National Capital Commission

  • Assessment type

    Project on federal lands

  • Reference number

    90843

Nearby assessments

...within 200 kilometres
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