Transcript
Transcript: You Are Here: The History of 373 Sussex Drive
[00:00:00 The video opens with a historical photo of La Salle Academy. Text on screen: You Are Here, The History of 373 Sussex Drive]
Narrator: Nestled along Sussex Drive, the La Salle Building stands as a timeless testament to Canada's evolution.
[00:00:06 A historical illustration of Bytown appears, the La Salle Building is highlighted. An overlaid image of Joseph-Bruno Guigues appears. Text on screen: Monseigneur Joseph-Bruno Guigues, 1840s as the Bishop's Palace, Bytown's first Catholic Bishop]
Narrator: Built in the 1840s as the Bishop's Palace for Bytown's first Catholic bishop, Monseigneur Joseph Bruno Guigues, it was more than just a residence. It was a symbol of ambition, stability, and the beginnings of Canada's national identity.
[00:00:25 The previous image dissolves into a historical illustration of the La Salle Building. Text on screen: Bytown College, A precursor to the University of Ottawa, 1852]
Narrator: In 1852, this building transformed into Bytown College, one of the first institutions to teach bilingual education. A precursor to the University of Ottawa, it helped shape the cultural fabric of a nation still finding its voice.
[00:00:40 The screen wipes to an image of a historical newspaper article, then to a historical photo of the La Salle building with an inset of a group of military members in uniform. Text on screen: Champagne Hotel, late 1880s / Military barracks]
Narrator: Over the years, the La Salle Building continued to evolve, becoming the Champagne Hotel, then military barracks during times of tension. It was a structure that adapted to meet the changing needs of a young country.
[00:00:45 Image is replaced with a historical photo of La Salle Academy in 1899, followed by a montage of images featuring students involved in: music; theatre; and athletics. Text on screen: La Salle Academy, Ottawa's first bilingual high school, 1899]
Narrator: In 1899, it became La Salle Academy, Ottawa's first bilingual high school. For over 70 years, it educated generations of leaders, clergy, civil servants, and cultural figures, nurturing the very heart of Canada's public service and identity.
[00:01:14 Screen dissolves into a shot of La Salle academy taken from street level with cars passing by that is combined with an aerial view of the building with the top floor highlighted. Text on screen: Communications Branch of the National Research Council, 1946-1950.]
Narrator: In 1946, the top floor of the Catholic Boys' High School became the first home for the communications branch of the National Research Council, the agency that would become Canada's cyber spy agency, the Communications Security Establishment.
[00:01:29 Screen dissolves into a series of images: a playbill for the Canadian Repertory Theatre; a recorded clip of a stage play; newspaper clippings; workers in an office setting; and actors preparing in a dressing room.]
Narrator: Then, from 1948 to 1956, It also became a cultural beacon, housing the Canadian Repertory Theatre, which launched the careers of Canadian legends like Christopher Plummer and William Shatner. So, for a not insignificant amount of time, Canada's most secret intelligence agency shared its quarters not only with the teachers and students of the school, but with a professional theatre company that used the school auditorium as a playhouse. CBNRC staffers would come downstairs during their lunch hours to eavesdrop on Christopher Plummer and William Shatner rehearsing their parts.
[00:02:23 Screen dissolves into a series of images of La Salle Academy in various states of demolition. Text on screen: Demolition. The federal government stepped in, purchasing and restoring the building 1971]
Narrator: But in 1971, the La Salle Building faced a looming threat: demolition. The public rallied, and their efforts sparked a nationwide movement to protect Canada's heritage. The federal government stepped in, purchasing and restoring the building, ensuring that its legacy would continue to inspire generations.
[00:02:26 Screen dissolves into a series of modern images of the interior of the building: a room with stone walls and fireplace with modern furniture, a hallway and staircase; a conference room; modern office space with workers; a large conference room; hallways with historical posters on the walls.]
Narrator: Today, the La Salle Building is not just a relic of the past; it stands as a living part of Canada's public service. Every meeting, every course, every conversation that happens here is part of a larger national legacy. From diplomacy to discovery, learning to leadership, 373 Sussex is more than a building. It's a bridge between Canada's public service past, present, and future.
[00:02:50 Screen dissolves into a series of images that "morphs" the La Salle building from it's origin to present. Text on Screen: You Are Here, LaSalle Academy, 373 Sussex Drive]
Narrator: The LaSalle Building reminds us daily that public service is not just what we do, it's where we do it. A place where Canada's journey, its growth, and its promise for the future all come together.
[00:03:11 The animated CSPS logo appears. Text on screen: canada.ca/school]
[00:03:17 The Canada wordmark appears]
