Laboratories Canada RSS Main project [3851 Fallowfield Rd] | 4f | Approved

[rocketphish]

The Federal Government of Canada's Regulatory and Security Science Main (RSS Main) project is part of the Laboratories Canada strategy. With RSS Main, PSPC is replacing at least 7 aging federal science facilities with new multi-purpose, modernized and sustainable facilities at the existing location of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s Ottawa laboratory at 3851 Fallowfield Road.

RSS Main will accommodate approximately 275 scientists and researchers from 4 science-based departments and agencies:

• Canada Border Services
• Canadian Food Inspection Agency
• Health Canada
• Public Health Agency of Canada

The first component of this project is underway and expected to be ready for scientists in 2031. Building the project in components will allow for future expansion on the same site.

Architect: Provencher Roy Associés Architectes and Perkins&Will Canada


Project website:
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-services...ulatory-security-science-project.html#s1

https://iaac-aeic.gc.ca/050/evaluations/document/161889

NCC Presentation:
https://ncc-website-2.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/Presentation-CFIA-ACIA-Ju2024.pdf


Development application:
https://devapps.ottawa.ca/en/applications/D07-12-25-0114/details


Location:






Siteplan:




Concept Renderings:

[J.OT13]

Big investments in research over the last couple years. Happy to see it.

[c_speed3108]

To be added to the CFIA campus on Fallowfield Rd on the edge of Barrhaven.



https://www.ctvnews.ca/ottawa/article/fe...t-to-build-laboratory-project-in-ottawa/

Federal government announces $768M contract to build laboratory project in Ottawa

The federal government says it has awarded a $768.6-million contract to build several new laboratories on the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s (CFIA) lab campus in Ottawa.

The Regulatory and Security Science Main (RSS Main) project is part of Canada’s commitments under NATO’s defence investment framework. The project will feature modern laboratories, advanced technologies and digital systems that support science and research, the government says.

PCL Construction Canada Inc. was awarded the contract to build the project.

“These capabilities will help strengthen Canada’s food supply, enhance emergency preparedness and secure our borders while keeping trade and travel moving to support the economy,” a news release said.

Defence Minister David McGuinty made the announcement on Monday, on behalf of Minister of Public Works and Procurement Joël Lightbound.

“Ottawa is home to some of Canada’s most important scientific and research institutions, and this investment reinforces our city’s role as a leader in innovation, public service, and national resilience,” McGuinty said in a news release.

“The new RSS Main campus will bring together world-class scientists and researchers in modern facilities, creating good jobs, advancing Canadian expertise, and strengthening the capabilities that help keep Canadians safe and our economy strong.”

McGuinty said, when complete, the facility will bring approximately 275 scientists and researchers from the CFIA, the Canada Border Services Agency, Health Canada, and the Public Health Agency of Canada together.

“Together is the operative word,” he said at a news conference. “They’ll advance critical work in public health, border security, and regulatory science.”

According to the government, the RSS Main project is being delivered in multiple components. The project is expected to be completed in 2031.

[J.OT13]

Feds award $768M contract to PCL Construction to build science lab in Nepean

Marissa Galko, OBJ
August 10, 2026



The federal government has awarded a multimillion-dollar construction services contract to PCL Construction to build a science hub on Fallowfield Road.

On Monday, the government announced that PCL was awarded a $768.6-million contract to build the Regulatory and Security Science Main (RSS Main) project, which began in 2024 and is expected to be complete by 2031.

The project will be delivered in multiple components, the news release said, allowing the campus to expand as science needs evolve. The current phase of the project is valued at approximately $1 billion and represents about half of the total planned construction scope, according to the release.

“As part of Canada’s commitments under NATO’s defence investment framework, the RSS Main project will contribute to defence and security-related investment goals by strengthening Canada’s national security, resilience and emergency preparedness capabilities through modern science infrastructure,” the news release said.

“This significant investment will also support Canadian workers and businesses, advancing the Government of Canada’s Buy Canadian objectives through the use of Canadian expertise and, where possible, Canadian-sourced materials.”

The project is expected to contribute about $900 million toward Canada’s NATO-related security and resilience spending over the next 10 years.

The project, in collaboration with Public Services and Procurement Canada, will see six federal buildings replaced by multi-purpose buildings on the existing Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s Ottawa laboratory site at 3851 Fallowfield Rd. near Greenbank Road in Nepean.

The project will accommodate approximately 275 employees from 25 science programs from the CFIA, the Canada Border Services Agency, Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada.

The RSS Main campus will feature “laboratories, advanced technologies and digital systems that support science and research. These capabilities will help strengthen Canada’s food supply, enhance emergency preparedness and secure our borders while keeping trade and travel moving to support the economy.”

The federal government is working with the Anishinàbe Algonquin Nation and other Indigenous partners to incorporate Indigenous perspectives into the planning and design of the project.

https://obj.ca/feds-768m-contract-pcl-construction-science-lab-nepean/

[Richard Eade]

As the Feds keep adding buildings onto this Greenbelt area, I suppose that they will also want buses to detour up to their door.

[Catenary]

Originally Posted by Richard Eade

As the Feds keep adding buildings onto this Greenbelt area, I suppose that they will also want buses to detour up to their door.

I am not sure if this is a joke, or if you are aware that Route 70 exists.

One of the more interesting routes, the guard at the gate boards the bus to check that everyone on board is an employee when the bus enters the campus.

[Richard Eade]

Interesting. I have certainly been on the # 70 through Barrhaven (as recently as last Wednesday), but always off-peak. I was not aware that some trips service the CFIA/ACIA complex.

However, looking into this a bit tells me that the # 70 buses that go to/from the CFIA/ACIA really should have a different number. These are not related to the # 70 route that services the people of Barrhaven.

There is one bus that leaves Fallowfield Station at 07:35 and drives directly along Fallowfield Road and into the complex, arriving at its terminus at 07:40. It is a 5-minute trip that does not stop anywhere else. In the afternoon, there is a single trip, leaving CFIA/ACIA at 16:09, and driving directly to Fallowfield Station, on a 6-minute run.

This is a publicly-funded shuttle, exclusively for the Federal Government complex. OC Transpo SHOULD NOT be running this shuttle. If the Federal Government wants an out-of-the-way campus, then it should be responsible for providing the shuttle into that area. OC Transpo has reduced special service for students. This shuttle should also be cut.

Thanks, Catenary, for pointing this out.

[skyscraperaccount]

Originally Posted by Richard Eade

Interesting. I have certainly been on the # 70 through Barrhaven (as recently as last Wednesday), but always off-peak. I was not aware that some trips service the CFIA/ACIA complex.

However, looking into this a bit tells me that the # 70 buses that go to/from the CFIA/ACIA really should have a different number. These are not related to the # 70 route that services the people of Barrhaven.

There is one bus that leaves Fallowfield Station at 07:35 and drives directly along Fallowfield Road and into the complex, arriving at its terminus at 07:40. It is a 5-minute trip that does not stop anywhere else. In the afternoon, there is a single trip, leaving CFIA/ACIA at 16:09, and driving directly to Fallowfield Station, on a 6-minute run.

This is a publicly-funded shuttle, exclusively for the Federal Government complex. OC Transpo SHOULD NOT be running this shuttle. If the Federal Government wants an out-of-the-way campus, then it should be responsible for providing the shuttle into that area. OC Transpo has reduced special service for students. This shuttle should also be cut.

Thanks, Catenary, for pointing this out.

Or, we could find out first if the feds are paying for this service at a overall cost that is lower than a private firm and/or expanding parking facilities at the site (saving general tax payers money) but at a cost that, at minimum, covers OC's full costs - thereby having minimal impact on city taxpayers (just per income tax)? Additionally, by having a shuttle service available to our best and brightest research scientist, it removes one potential barrier to the hiring process. As a general tax payer (I'm speaking fed income tax here) it may be a tiny price to pay in our overall national defence envelope to offer such a perk to potential employees. Should that perk be extended to NDHQ from Moodie,rather than building more parking? Yes.