Canada invests $1.5B in new Ottawa science facilities
Plant Magazine
Industry Innovation & Technology Sustainability Transportation Construction Government Canada environment Innovation manufacturing research and development SustainabilityThe initiatives aim to provide state-of-the-art facilities for federal scientists and researchers to address current and future scientific challenges.
The Government of Canada has announced plans to build two “world-class” science facilities in Ottawa, Ont. over the next several years as part of its Laboratories Canada strategy.
The first facility, TerraCanada National Capital Area (TerraCanada NCA), was awarded $1 billion, and will focus on sustainable land and resource development and support a low-carbon economy.
The second facility, Transportation Safety and Technology Science (TSTS) with a budget of $500 million, will assess and mitigate transportation safety risks for Canadians.
The Honourable Jenna Sudds, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, made the announcement on site last week on behalf of the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Public Services and Procurement.
“These new facilities are a testament to Canada’s dedication to scientific excellence and innovation,” Sudds said. “By investing in state-of-the-art infrastructure, we are not only enhancing our research capabilities but also driving economic growth and positioning Canada as a global leader in science and technology.”
The contract for the TerraCanada NCA facility was awarded to AECOM Canada Architects Ltd., AECOM Canada Ltd. and AECOM Technical Services Inc., in a joint venture, for a value of $59.5 million. The base contract for construction management services for has been awarded to EBC Inc., for a value of $78.8 million.
According to a press release by the Government of Canada, the project is expected to employ up to 400 workers daily during peak construction and will include opportunities for Indigenous businesses. Construction is estimated to begin in 2026.
Meanwhile, the TSTS project will relocate the laboratory and head office of the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB), and the facility will house over 260 employees and scientists from the TSB and NRC. The architectural and engineering services contract for this project was awarded to A49 and B&H, in a joint venture, in 2022, with a preliminary schematic design completed. Further details will be announced later this year.
Both facilities will be located on the main campus of the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) on Montréal Road in Ottawa.
