The complex was built in 1978 as part of Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau's initiative to see more federal workers based in the Quebec side of the Ottawa River.

This arrangement caused some controversy as Campeau had close links to the governing Liberals.

Today its three towers hold some 6,500 federal government office workers.

[citation needed] The complex houses the headquarters of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (North Building),[1] the headquarters of the Department of Canadian Heritage (Jules Léger Building (South)),[2] the headquarters of the Canadian Transportation Agency (Jules Léger Building (South)),[3] the headquarters of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC)(Central Building),[4] and other government entities.

[8] It is surpassed only by the Claridge Icon which stands at a height of 143 meters (469 ft).