The Government of Canada has awarded PCL Construction Canada Inc. a $768.6-million construction services contract for a major federal science campus in Ottawa.

The contract covers the Regulatory and Security Science Main (RSS Main) project. It moves the project into full construction after earlier site preparation and enabling work.

RSS Main will create a new science campus on the existing Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) Ottawa Laboratory site. The campus will include six modern science facilities. It will bring together scientists and researchers from the CFIA, Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), Health Canada, and the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC).

The facilities will include modern laboratories, advanced technologies, and digital systems. They will support work on food safety, public health, border security, and emergency preparedness.

The project is part of Laboratories Canada, a $3.8-billion federal initiative to modernize government science infrastructure. RSS Main will house about 275 employees and support roughly 25 science programs.

The current phase is valued at about $1 billion. It represents about half of the planned scope for the RSS Main project. Construction began in 2024 and is expected to continue through 2031.

National security role

The campus also has a national security role. The federal government says the project will strengthen Canada’s resilience and emergency preparedness. It will also contribute to Canada’s NATO-related defence and security investment commitments.

The project will use Laboratories Canada’s Repeatable Laboratory Design Framework. It targets LEED and Fitwel certification, along with high standards for sustainability, accessibility, and energy performance.

The federal government is also working with the Anishinàbe Algonquin Nation and other Indigenous partners during planning and construction. Project contracts include Indigenous Participation Plans intended to create economic opportunities for Indigenous businesses and communities.