Science plays a key role in supporting a vibrant society and a thriving economy in Canada. Scientific advances, from medical breakthroughs to insights that keep our environment clean, improve the health and well-being of Canadians. From fundamental research to the development of real-world applications, science creates jobs, stimulates economic growth and spurs innovation.
Laboratories Canada (LabsCanada) is a transformative, long-term strategy to modernize federal science infrastructure and position Canada as the world’s leading hub for science and innovation. Through strategic investments in digitally enabled, collaborative labs, LabsCanada strengthens science excellence, enabling science departments and agencies to work together more efficiently by sharing space, resources, and equipment. The strategy also fosters new partnerships within the federal government and with industry, academia, Indigenous groups and communities, and other governments. This strategic approach advances national priorities, from security, to trade, to sustainable resource development, while attracting top talent and driving real economic and innovation gains for Canada’s future. Through Budgets 2018 and 2024, the Government of Canada has invested $3.7B to support federal scientists with the important work they do for Canada.
Driving outcomes for Canadians
- Approximately $6B gross domestic product (GDP) economic impact from infrastructure spend
- ½M tonne of greenhouse gas reductions (TCO2EQ) over 40-year lifecycle
- 50,000+ person-years of employment in architecture, engineering, trades, clean tech and manufacturing
- Approximately $250M in benefits and opportunities to Indigenous businesses and communities, advancing reconciliation goals through partnerships
- Creating universal accessibility to foster equity and diversity through inclusion by design in all new facilities
Strengthening federal science
Aligned with the Government of Canada’s vision for science, LabsCanada is a transformative strategy to renew federal laboratories and support a collaborative approach for science and technology. This strategic investment supports Canadian innovators as they work to solve our biggest societal challenges, advancing public health, food safety, natural resource development, national security, and improving the lives of all Canadians.
This long-term, whole-of-government strategy aims to provide federal scientists with modern, collaborative, and digitally-enabled facilities, greater access to shared tools, and reduced barriers to support multidisciplinary research and innovation. It supports evidence-based decision making and regulatory responsibilities, while contributing to Canada’s resilience and sovereignty.
Modernizing science for the future
Many federal laboratories are aging, outdated, and some are unable to meet the evolving needs of science programs and do not provide scientists with proper tools for their work. As science is changing and the increase in societal challenges become increasingly interdisciplinary, these facilities pose challenges for scientists to keep pace with global innovation. Modernized, flexible, and sustainable infrastructure as well as stronger interdisciplinary science will enable future-focused research and build Canada into the world’s leading hub for science and innovation through collaboration.
Collaborative approach
LabsCanada is transforming how federal science is delivered through unprecedented collaboration across departments, agencies, and partners. This strategy is designed to break down silos, foster meaningful partnerships, and build a national network of modern, multi-purpose labs that support multidisciplinary research and innovation.
A strategy of this scale, across multiple departments and agencies, requires coordinated leadership from senior officials across science-based departments and agencies.
LabsCanada is a partnership between the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry and the Minister of Public Services and Procurement. Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) leads on the overall science policy government-wide, while Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) leads on the implementation of LabsCanada.
PSPC is working in partnership with federal departments and agencies, as well as external stakeholders.
Shared Services Canada (SSC) is a key delivery partner of LabsCanada, working closely with PSPC and key federal science and technology stakeholders to ensure modern information technology (IT) systems are in place to meet the evolving needs of science.
Science departments and agencies will continue to lead the science within their mandates and work within LabsCanada’s science hubs to foster collaboration and improve Canadian science outcomes.
Equipping facilities for the future
LabsCanada supports scientists through strategic equipment initiatives, including collaborative procurement and equipment sharing.
This approach will help optimize investments in complex and costly research infrastructure, while strengthening science programs and ensuring the best value for money across the equipment’s lifespan. The LabsCanada is partnering with the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) to include federal science facilities and equipment in the CFI’s Research Facilities Navigator. LabsCanada has also established a collaborative procurement of scientific equipment to simplify processes, reduce lead times for procurement and achieve economies of scale.
Improving acquisition of science equipment through collaborative procurement
PSPC has collaborated with science departments and agencies to identify the most commonly used commodities and established a supply arrangement to facilitate and streamline the procurement of equipment.
This new approach is currently available for use and provides departments with simplified procurement processes, reducing time and effort for science departments, PSPC and suppliers. Furthermore, it allows the Government of Canada to achieve economies of scale and identify possibilities for sharing existing equipment before purchasing new equipment.
Leveraging information management and information technology
LabsCanada recognizes the critical importance of information management and information technologies (IM/IT), digital enablement being one of its four pillars. PSPC is leading an integrated approach to science requirement validation to ensure that science investments used efficiently and appropriately, and that a secure and modern IT environment supports the needs of Canadian science.
PSPC continues to collaborate closely with SSC, the federal science community and their chief information officers to develop and securely deliver the most critical science requirements, including IT, data management services and collaboration services.