Government of Canada invests in laboratories to support science in Canada

Investing in world-class research to protect Canada’s people, animals and plants

March 26, 2024 –  Ottawa, Ontario – Public Services and Procurement Canada

Through Laboratories Canada, the Government of Canada is providing federal scientists and researchers with world-class, innovative and collaborative facilities to ensure they can not only keep pace with, but lead in the transformative changes facing science today and into the future.

Today, the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Public Services and Procurement announced 2 contracts, with a combined value of $63.2 million (including taxes), to construct new laboratory facilities for the Regulatory and Security Science Main (RSS Main) Project. This project will provide federal scientists across several departments and agencies with a leading-edge, multi-purpose, sustainable and collaborative facility to complement existing government science laboratories and capabilities.

The new RSS Main facility will focus on distinct areas of scientific research, including:

• the protection of human, plant and animal health
• food safety with a specialization in food chemistry
• strengthened emergency preparedness
• enhanced border security

The new facility will be located at the existing Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s Ottawa Laboratory (Fallowfield), and will relocate scientific operations from existing infrastructure in critical or poor condition to this state-of-the-art modern facility.

The detailed design phase is set to take place in 2024, with construction targeted to start in 2025.

The Laboratories Canada strategy aims to provide federal scientists with leading-edge, green, collaborative facilities to position Canada to be at the forefront of new discoveries and delivering on research priorities, while supporting Canadian jobs. As work proceeds, the construction management contract is expected to create a minimum of 250 jobs that will support the local and surrounding economy.