330 Sussex Drive

In the heart of the nation’s capital, within sight of Canada’s Parliament, this historic building and its serene gardens attract hundreds of local and international visitors each year.

In the early twentieth century, as Ottawa took shape as a capital city, the site was home to the Dominion Archives (1905-1967) and, later, to the Canadian War Museum (1967-2005). Construction was first undertaken between 1904 and 1906 by the Chief Dominion Architect of the time, David Ewart, whose other notable Ottawa buildings include the Royal Canadian Mint and the Canadian Museum of Nature.

However, following the move of the Canadian War Museum to its new location, the building fell into disuse, and required major renovation. As part of the partnership between His Highness the Aga Khan and the Government of Canada, the building at 330 Sussex Drive was transformed. The extensive multiyear restoration, funded by His Highness the Aga Khan, has reinvigorated this as a site that once again bridges cultures and reconnects the building with its natural surroundings. It was inaugurated as the headquarters of the Global Centre for Pluralism in May 2017 and offers gathering space for dialogues, events and social gatherings in Ottawa, fostering connections and collaboration in the National Capital and beyond.

Canada is presently reckoning with its historic and contemporary treatment of the land’s First Peoples. This includes contested land treaties that altered the infrastructure and way of life for Indigenous communities as well as nearly a century of a residential boarding school system that forcibly removed Indigenous children from their families and into hostile environments where thousands suffered severe trauma and abuse, and many did not survive. It is estimated that over 3200 children died at these “schools” and as of August 2021, over 1300 unmarked graves were uncovered on sites across the country with the expectation of more as investigations continue. In 2015, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada issued a multi-volume report that concluded the school system amounted to cultural genocide. It issued 94 calls to action as steps toward reconciliation between Canadians and Indigenous peoples.

In 2021, as part of our own journey toward reconciliation, the Global Centre for Pluralism commissioned historical research, from an Indigenous perspective, on the river and lands surrounding our Ottawa headquarters. The report, Where Sussex Meets the Kichi Sibi: History and Pluralism at 330 Sussex by Archipel Research & Consulting, an Indigenous-owned and women-led firm, documents the many layers of painful history attached to this location. While highlighting the significance of this site as an important place of connection, the report underscores how the settlement and transformation of Ottawa into a national capital is also a story of violent dispossession and forced assimilation of First Nations. The heritage of this beautiful site is thus deeply entwined with both the proud moments and dark shadows of Canada’s colonial past.

Understanding our shared past from all perspectives is one essential step on the path to reconciliation. We encourage visitors to read and reflect on this history, as we work towards a new relationship of healing between Canadian society and the First Peoples of this land.

Gathering Spaces: A Resource for the Community

The gathering spaces within 330 Sussex Drive are not restricted to the use of the Global Centre for Pluralism alone. We partner with organizations whose events align with our mission of advancing pluralism in Canada and worldwide. Through our Signature Space Rental Program, these spaces are also made available to other organizations and individuals for events, including corporate meetings, seminars, workshops, cultural celebrations, weddings and other social functions. This program allows us to extend the reach of our mission while offering a unique venue that combines heritage, modernity, and a commitment to fostering inclusive dialogue. Learn more about our Space Rental Program.

Revitalizing the Waterfront

As part of the restoration of 330 Sussex Drive, His Highness the Aga Khan co-funded the development of a visionary plan to revitalize the surrounding Ottawa riverfront. This initiative, undertaken in collaboration with the National Capital Commission (NCC), aims to transform the area into a vibrant cultural and symbolic public space. By linking Major’s Hill Park, Kìwekì Point, and Lady Grey Drive to the Ottawa River, the plan celebrates Canada’s pluralistic identity while addressing longstanding challenges such as industrial remnants and disconnected pathways.

The vision includes creating a pedestrian and cycling promenade, a landscaped terrace uniting the riverfront facades of adjacent institutions, and a pedestrianized Lady Grey Drive to provide seamless access to the river’s edge. These enhancements are designed to integrate the area’s rich history and symbolism with its future as a destination for cultural and recreational engagement.

The Centre has been instrumental in shaping this transformative vision, advocating for bold and inclusive approaches that align with the principles of pluralism and community engagement. It has also contributed technical expertise to ensure the revitalized riverfront becomes a vibrant, accessible, and symbolic public realm. Included in the NCC’s 50-Year Plan for Canada’s Capital, this initiative exemplifies the power of collaboration between public and private sectors to drive meaningful change.

Through these efforts, 330 Sussex Drive and its surroundings stand as a testament to the integration of heritage preservation, urban innovation, and a commitment to fostering inclusive spaces for all.