Ottawa's Parliament Hill is home to some of Canada's most recognizable architecture, and nothing says "Ottawa" quite like the Peace Tower's distinctive green copper roof piercing the skyline. But if you've grown attached to that oxidized green patina, now's the time to take a long, lingering look — because it's about to disappear for a very long time.
A Roof That Tells Time
The Peace Tower's green colour isn't paint — it's the natural result of copper oxidizing over decades of exposure to the elements. That process, called patination, slowly transforms shiny brown copper into the blue-green hue that has become synonymous with Parliament Hill. It's the same reason the Statue of Liberty is green, and why old church steeples across Ottawa and Canada carry that same weathered look.
When the copper roof is replaced, the new material will start out as a warm, shiny brown — closer to a penny than to the Parliament Hill we know. And while the patina will eventually return, experts say that process can take anywhere from 20 to 50 years depending on climate conditions and the specific alloy used.
Why Is It Being Replaced?
The roof replacement is part of the long-running Centre Block rehabilitation project — a massive, multi-decade restoration effort to preserve and modernize Canada's most important federal building. The Centre Block has been closed to the public since 2018, with crews working to address decades of deferred maintenance, structural concerns, and accessibility upgrades.
Copper roofs, while incredibly durable, don't last forever. After enough years of Ottawa winters, freeze-thaw cycles, and general wear, even the most robust roofing materials need to go. The replacement is necessary to protect the building's interior and ensure the Peace Tower stands for another century.
Ottawa's Skyline Is Getting a Makeover — Whether We Like It or Not
For Ottawans, the Peace Tower isn't just a government building — it's a landmark. It appears in countless photos, anchors the view from the Alexandra Bridge, and serves as the backdrop for Canada Day celebrations on the Hill. The idea of it looking noticeably different is a bit jarring, even if the change is ultimately good for the building's long-term health.
Think of it like watching a friend go from silver-haired back to their original colour — it's the same person, but the vibe is different.
The good news: copper is still copper. The material choice ensures the roof will eventually return to the iconic green we know. It just takes time — potentially a lot of it.
What to Expect
Work on the Peace Tower roof is part of the broader Centre Block rehabilitation, which Public Services and Procurement Canada has said will continue for several more years. Canadians hoping to see the inside of the House of Commons will need to keep waiting — and when Parliament does reopen, they may find the tower looking noticeably shinier than they remember.
For now, Ottawans walking along Wellington Street or snapping photos from Major's Hill Park can take in the green roof while it lasts. Once it's gone, it won't be back in its familiar form for a generation.
Source: Ottawa Citizen. Read the original story.
