New Maison de Radio-Canada breaks ground in Montreal

Ground was broken at the site of the Maison de Radio-Canada on Sunday morning at the same time CBC/Radio-Canada opened it doors to the public for Culture Days.

Federal Heritage Minister Mlanie Joly helped break ground at the new location just days after the Liberal government unveiled acultural policy revamp. Thepublic broadcaster remains part of what she believes content and cultural industries from Canada should look like in the digital world.

"We want Radio-Canada to be a platform that promotes Canadian culture," said Joly on Sunday.

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Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre andHubert T. Lacroix, president and CEO of CBC/Radio-Canada, were also on hand for the event.

The building's designboasts lots of natural light,a four-storey atrium, a rooftop patio, and it will meetenvironmental and sustainable development standards equivalent to aLEED Silvercertification.

The real estate developer Broccoliniis in charge of building the new Maison de Radio-Canada, which will be at the corner of Ren-Lvesque Boulevard and Papineau Avenue. The lot was previously a parking lot for the existing building.

The new building will have a reduced number of parking spots in order to encourage active transportation.

It is expected to be completed byJanuary 2020.

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