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Building the future of Library and Archives Canada : Assessing readiness for transformational projects
Corporate Real Estate Journal,
12
(3),
224-237
(2023)
Abstract
As Canada’s pre-eminent memory institution, Library and Archives Canada (LAC) has the legislative mandate to collect, preserve and make accessible Canada’s priceless documentary heritage. This unique role as public caretaker for a vital, ever-growing collection brings considerable challenges to LAC as a corporate real estate (CRE) organisation. Added to this complexity is LAC’s relatively recent assignment as custodian of its own portfolio of special purpose real property, which represents a fundamental change to the institution’s role and responsibilities. Transfer of custody, which coincided with commencement of two of the Government of Canada’s most innovative major capital construction projects, has touched off a period of significant transformation within LAC. This paper will provide important background and context with respect to LAC’s unique mandate, history and evolution as a federal real property custodian; elaborate on the complexity of CRE management in this context; detail the two major projects; and highlight the guiding principles driving delivery through this transformative time. Lastly, this paper will offer actionable insights for others contemplating organisational readiness to undertake high-profile capital projects.
Keywords: organisational readiness; real property portfolio management; capital project; governance; public sector CRE management; sustainability
The full article is available to subscribers to the journal.
Author's Biography
Scott Hamilton is the Director General of Real Property for Library and Archives Canada (LAC) and President of the Ottawa Chapter of the International Facilities Management Association (IFMA). In his day job, Scott is overseeing a transformation of the LAC real property (RP) function, development of a real property portfolio strategy to identify and address RP issues, risks and requirements for the next 25 years, and delivery of two major infrastructure projects, which will transform LAC’s operations and ability to deliver its mandate. These include the CAN$330m Gatineau 2 Preservation Storage Facility Project to construct a new state-of-the-art archival preservation facility to safeguard Canada’s documentary heritage collection and the CAN$334m Ādisōke Project, a federal–municipal partnership to construct a new joint facility for LAC and the Ottawa Public Library. Scott began volunteering with the IFMA Ottawa Chapter in June 2018 to help strengthen the local facility management community through enhanced networking and learning opportunities and through promotion of the value and importance of the facility management and real property field as a career. Prior to joining LAC, Scott spent 15 years with Justice Canada where he managed a variety projects, teams and divisions including national accommodations, change management, business management, performance management and strategic planning. Scott holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Carleton University, as well as a Diploma in Business Administration from Centennial College.
Katharine Cornfield is an independent management consultant focused on enterprise-level organisational development, integrated resource management, and change leadership in corporate real estate (CRE) organisations with real property portfolios from CAN$1m–25.6bn. Drawing on a multidisciplinary background incorporating human capital management, public policy making and real estate, Katharine acts as a knowledgeable partner to forward-looking senior leaders seeking to improve organisational effectiveness in the face of complexity and change. From systems and structures to skills and shared values, Katharine works alongside executive teams to align business capabilities behind strategy, strengthen leadership pipelines and create intelligent, high-performing CRE organisations that attract talent and deliver results.
Samantha Rao is a Real Property Advisor at the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat. She is currently working towards a Master of Arts, Environment and Management at Royal Roads University in Victoria, British Columbia, where she is researching real property climate action policy. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Finance from the Telfer School of Management at the University of Ottawa. She previously led the Public–Private Partnership contract management interests at Library and Archives Canada. Samantha leverages her technology background as a former user experience (UX) designer to better understand the intersectionality of workplace design and climate change resiliency.
